hole punch for queen excluder

[David1976]

is there such a thing as a punch that can be used to cut holes in plastic crown boards to effectively make it a queen excluder?

if so where sells them? I have read that the holes need to be around 4.8mm max and a hole punch is just over 5mm so slightly large.

 

[Ian123]

Can you not just buy a plastic excluder and cut to size

 

[David1976]

Can you not just buy a plastic excluder and cut to size

No, I'm looking to make something similar to the new perspex cover in the bs 2in1 nuc boxes

 

[domino]

No, I'm looking to make something similar to the new perspex cover in the bs 2in1 nuc boxes

Buy a zinc one, cut to size.

 

[David1976]

Buy a zinc one, cut to size.

They are not see through like perspex though so that would defeat the purpose.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

They are not see through like perspex though so that would defeat the purpose.

you can see through the holes, in my experience that will be sufficient, if you're down to the QX you'll be quickly taking it off to complete the inspection any way.

 

[user 819]

Perspex with so many slits will be fragile and crack esp when stuck down, it sounds like something that's wanted but tbh not really practical when as said you can much get the same using existing ones available.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Payne’s do see through plastic QX for their nucs I’m sure. I have two.
Edit. I just checked. They don’t they are slotted steel now.

 

[domino]

They are not see through like perspex though so that would defeat the purpose.

I've never used cover boards for the 2in1 nucs, had them since they came out - never seen a queen in the feeder. Good luck finding what you need.

 

[domino]

Payne’s do see through plastic QX for their nucs I’m sure

They went to zinc a while ago.

 

[Ian123]

So why do you need a excluder for the Nucs.

 

[Apple]

I am sure I have some clear plastic queen excluders.... but by the time they have been on the colony for a few weeks are not exactly see through.... some years old so could have been purchased from Park Beekeeping in Blackheath?????#
Have a phone around
Chons da

 

[B+.]

is there such a thing as a punch that can be used to cut holes in plastic crown boards to effectively make it a queen excluder?

if so where sells them? I have read that the holes need to be around 4.8mm max and a hole punch is just over 5mm so slightly large.

Won't that make the edges sharp on the bees wings?

 

[Wilco]

4.5mm drill bit and a needle file? (or just a 4.8mm drill bit from specialist supplier).

 

[frankenstine]

4.8 mm drill is basicly a std size anyway and readly avalible not that id recomend drilling it.

the only effective and accurate way i can think of for makeing them is waterjet cutting. but your going to get a low of QX's out of a sheet

 

[understanding_bees]

4.5mm drill bit and a needle file? (or just a 4.8mm drill bit from specialist supplier).

3/16 inch = 0.1875 inch = 4.7625 mm.

If you need to drill holes of this size, for bees to climb through, it would be beneficial (to the bees, at least) if the sharp edges of the holes were polished smooth. This can be achieved by buffing the sharp edges with a wire buff fitted to a bench grinder. Alternatively, a wire brush wheel could be used with an electric drill. Just make sure that the direction of movement of the wire bristles is from the centre of the hole, towards the edges of the hole. You would need to do this for the complete circumference of each hole, and also from both sides of the metal sheet.