Hi Christine,
Welcome to the forum.
You clearly intend to keep bees in a conventional framed hive system - not as one of the side-stream groups?
As posted, the hive plans are detailed clearly in the late Dave Cushman's website along with a plethora of useful beekeeping facts and other information.
Also, as posted, you need to decide a format unless you intend trying out just one or two samples of different types, as compatibility between types is near non-existant in the main. Converting from one type to another usually means disposing of the old and replacing with new.
Langstroth is the most widely used format in the world and British National boxes are most common in the UK. I started with National deeps and converted to 14 x 12 (which is a simple extension to the brood box and new, deeper frames). Each has advantages and disadvantages, so choice is a 'best compromise' situation.
Outside (frame) and internal (boxes) dimenensions are important to leave an appropriate bee space for satisfacrtory operation, but compatibility with fellow local beekeepers is a plus, but not an overriding requirement.
I run top bee space, but most National hives are configured with bottom bee space. The most popular framed hive format in the world, the Langstroth, uses top bee space. Go figure why the British chose bottom bee space!!!
Maybe a PM to Olivia9801 might be a possible (you need a few posts before you can PM)? She has built her own just this year.
I have always bought in the basic deep brood, as sales seconds, and converted with an eke as that route was the cheapest and easiest way to go, for me. Latterly I have made the rest of the outers myself, but never bothered with the frames. Now using some poly. Avoid ply if you wish to keep the overall weight of the boxes down.
You will get much more info on the net (various web sites and here) than detailed dimensions, etc in books.
RAB
