Home-made clearing board

[Skyhook]

Sort of forgot to buy a clearing board, so made my own and very pleased with it- started with the idea of the canadian board from Ted Hooper, then refined with help from Dave Cushman's site.

50mm space one side, 20mm the other (hoping I can use it for apiguard with the hole blocked). The final escape tunnel 12mm deep (cause that's what wood I had) by 8mm wide (thickness of a pencil). The mesh is for repairing car bodywork- the length of the escape is down to the size of the mesh, or I would have made it a bit longer.

However, it cleared 2 supers in about 3 hours, so that'll do for me.

 

[kazmcc]

Looks good, nice and simple.....the kind of thing i could manage. Thanks for the pics

 

[drstitson]

clearer board

anyone tried the triangular maze type configuration?

 

[shonto]

it looks lovely an inspitation to us all

 

[Poly Hive]

Sorry but one major improvement... half the escape and put it in diagonally opposite corners.

Much better, same cost and better effect.

PH

 

[Hivemaker.]

Also make,and use something very similar...when not using a blower.

 

[SimonB]

Why don't the bees find their way out again?

I know I could probably find the answer online or in a book, but was hoping one of you that had made one would oblige

Thanks
Simon

 

[Skyhook]

Why don't the bees find their way out again?

Simon

The answer is, they do- if you give them long enough to work it out. These boards work quickly, but they have to. If you're going to leave it on for longer, use porter escapes.

 

[SimonB]

Thanks

 

[mikebeecham]

anyone tried the triangular maze type configuration?

Yes, I made one, tried it and was surprised by how quickly the super was cleared. I lent it to an old-time beekeeper who previously only used Porter escapes. He was so impressed by it I told him to keep it, and I made myself another one.

 

[Hombre]

Hi Mike, do you lend money, I am easily impressed and am interested in your generosity . . .

I shake the bees off and pop them into another box.

 

[GingerNut]

anyone tried the triangular maze type configuration?

Yes, I made one, tried it and was surprised by how quickly the super was cleared. I lent it to an old-time beekeeper who previously only used Porter escapes. He was so impressed by it I told him to keep it, and I made myself another one.

I also built and used a vortex clearer board, and I have made improvements to the design to make it easier to make using the same principle.

Plans attached as a pdf.

Yours Roy

 

[MJBee]

Dave Cushman's vortex is a bit complicated to assemble but works like a charm

http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/vortexescape.html

 

[user 382]

Here's a couple of pics of one of my own clearer boards. In warm weather these have cleared individual supers in just under 2 hours, but normally I leave them on 24 hours.

I only had to pay for the ply, nails and glue, and the postage cost for the mesh samples. The rest of the timber was cut down from old floor boards. I made them about 90mm deep to handle the exodus of bees.

View attachment 2265

View attachment 2266

 

[Tim1606]

I know this might sound like a stupid question. But does the depth of the board that they are clearing into make much difference? If it does what is the general depth i should make mine. Have some at 20mm deep and they clear in 2 -4 hours. I assume the depth is needed because of the congestion with so many bees?

 

[Skyhook]

I assume the depth is needed because of the congestion with so many bees?

Exactly that. Traditional porter boards just have a normal bee space. I've seen 35mm recommended on Canadians to allow room for the rush. Mine was 50mm because that was the size of timber I had.

 

[wojciech]

Yes, I made one, tried it and was surprised by how quickly the super was cleared. I lent it to an old-time beekeeper who previously only used Porter escapes. He was so impressed by it I told him to keep it, and I made myself another one.

I was looking at the plans for the triangular one on Dave Cusmans' site and just did'nt get how it would fit. You'll have to show me yours Mike !!

 

[MJBee]

Hi Wojciech,
Couldn't resist an invitation like that The lighter bits on the pictures are where I had fixed 3 old CDs to help ease the congestion - they didn't last!! The rim is 30mm deep cos that is the first bit of wood that came to hand.

 

[Poly Hive]

It's also a good idea to paint it a distinct colour so when you look at your hives they stand out and you dinna forget one.......

PH

 

[wojciech]

Hi Wojciech,
Couldn't resist an invitation like that The lighter bits on the pictures are where I had fixed 3 old CDs to help ease the congestion - they didn't last!! The rim is 30mm deep cos that is the first bit of wood that came to hand.

Thanks for the pics - make it much clearer than just the diagram in Dave Cushmans site. I was puzzled because other types being square fit clearly under the super but I couldn't understand where the triangle fitted.

Wojciech