FenBee
House Bee
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2009
- Messages
- 211
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- UK
- Hive Type
- Langstroth
- Number of Hives
- 6
I am sure many experienced beekeepers on the forum have various methods to ensure they build their hives square and true. But, this jig was described to me in conversation with a bee farmer and I have found this basic tool to be useful to build square bee hives more easily. See attached drawing of my version of this jig, in pdf format.
Obviously you need to ensure the stops are at "right angles" when building the jig. Once the jig is ready take two sections of the hive body and force in to the "stops" . When building your bee hive box, remember to measure the diagonals before finally nailing, to cross check the hive box is square.
The purpose of the gap at the top left on the first page, is for making frames, again to ensure they are square. I also find the large flat area is much easier to build frames than directly on say, a workmate. The dimensions shown are for National, WBC, Commercial, Smith, Rose hives. Langstroth and Dadant will require a slightly larger jig area.
Obviously you need to ensure the stops are at "right angles" when building the jig. Once the jig is ready take two sections of the hive body and force in to the "stops" . When building your bee hive box, remember to measure the diagonals before finally nailing, to cross check the hive box is square.
The purpose of the gap at the top left on the first page, is for making frames, again to ensure they are square. I also find the large flat area is much easier to build frames than directly on say, a workmate. The dimensions shown are for National, WBC, Commercial, Smith, Rose hives. Langstroth and Dadant will require a slightly larger jig area.
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