Horizontal top bar hive

[Friar Tuck]

Friar your hive looks great. One small point, if mine is anything to go by the top bars will swell quite a bit so you may want to take one out and maybe replace it with some foam to allow for expansion.

I have a small bar the width of the waste between cutting out the top bars, it also the same width a the side bar mods and thats what i had . so i have plenty of room just cant wait to get bee in there now !!!

 

[madasafish]

My TBHs: one from new wood, one from pallets etc.

 

[drstitson]

i never realised that you collect honey from TBHs by letting it drip down into containers!!!

 

[victor meldrew]

i never realised that you collect honey from TBHs by letting it drip down into containers!!!

JW

 

[victor meldrew]

I thought the nuc on the stand was an example of time lapse photography ?
If not, then it's a perfect subject !

You've got me going now Doc

JW

 

[victor meldrew]

My TBHs: one from new wood, one from pallets etc.

No offence intended
Don't do a Mo

Still, being thick skinned is a must when dealing with bees (and Beekeepers).
Nice job , I love to tinker with the home brew stuff !1

John Wilkinson

 

[madasafish]

I rarely take offence: I am sure none was intended and none certainly was taken

I am reliably informed that rhino skin is soft and delicate compared to my hide.....

 

[Friar Tuck]

Nice looking hives, going to treat my hive this week with lin seed oil and bees wax.

 

[drstitson]

re honey harvesting from TBHs - have just realised that a dummy board attached to end of a long thread rod and a handle at opposite end outside the hive would make a great press to squeeze honey from the comb without disturbing the bees by opening the hive. voila. natural beekeeping at work....









....although must admit can't work out how to prevent brood and queen being crushed too!!!

 

[Mike a]

re honey harvesting from TBHs - have just realised that a dummy board attached to end of a long thread rod and a handle at opposite end outside the hive would make a great press to squeeze honey from the comb without disturbing the bees by opening the hive. voila. natural beekeeping at work....

....although must admit can't work out how to prevent brood and queen being crushed too!!!

Not if you only went half way !

 

[drstitson]

"Not if you only went half way !"

yes - but you need to squeeze against something at the other end!!!!!

 

[TBRNoTB]

Owen I want to say its rubbish it wont work its all wrong and the bees will hate it but as I type this through gritted teeth I have to say it looks fantastic and great photos.

Far more satisfying than getting an overrated to full of him self smug little so and so to make one for you lol.

Only one point and I always like to see adaptations but me thinks the two strips of wood covering the ends of the top bars may get in the way as I think you pick up the bars from the ends. I have often thought that the top bars must move around if the roof is not lifted off or replaced exactly right. Other people with tbh may have the answer.

It looks wicked keep the photos coming.

My top bars are 'stepped' at each end and are kept in place by the sides of the hive and thus giving access for the hive tool. So far I have not had any trouble removing/replacing roof. If possible construct a pitched roof with enough space underneath for insulation. I have had to relocate my TBH twice and always ensured it was put in a level position (using a level, not by sight) after each move the girls have always built straight comb... so far!

 

[Friar Tuck]

Well i'm probable going to get shot down by the the beekeeping fraternity BUT. Here is my attempt at getting some top bars drawn out, so if or when... i have to do an AS or a shock swam then the bees already have space to lay and to store etc.


I do have to add that this was an early pic and i did manage to melt some wax on the top bar after the attempt just to rub it on failed...





.

 

[madasafish]

Looks fine to me. Better finished than mine...Rough triangles make wax rubbing easier...

 

[Chris Luck]

Posher than mine as well, I make a channel and "stick" wax strips in it..not very good photos but you get the drift I hope..bit rough and ready but bees don't care.

 

[Friar Tuck]

I just found that triangle wood coving stuff in the workshop on the girl friends farm, look good so i hacked it up. Then put the bars on top of a super on one of me nationals. hope they draw it out

 

[Friar Tuck]

Well what an interesting weekend ! On the TBH front i fitted the OMF got a good deal off an e~bay seller. I was just having a rest and thought i would wonder down the bottom of the farm to have a look at the hives, i was planing an inspection later that day as i wanted to AS one of my hives into the TBH. Got down the field was looking at the hive and out of the corner of my eye i could see lots of flys flying round something in the bush, I thought it mite be a dead animal or something so went for a look hoping it was not a new born lamb. OH there not flys ...... Bees a bloody swarm Ummm quick ring to my brother who was already on his way as i have broken my thumb and my hand is in a cast... Ollie we got a swarm . Now ive been beekeeping just under a year and me brother has never done any.. So with my words and his hand we now had a job on our hand...

So we got the clippers and proceeded to cut a nice hole in the hedge bellow the swarm, placed the poly nuc underneath and gave them a shake. Then put the Nuc on a tea towel that had a few drops of lemongrass oil nr the entrance. and in they went. There was a couple of re grouping swarms on the original site but we just clipped off the hedge and shook onto the tea towel

We then left them to settle and later in the afternoon went down for the re hive. I had all ready had top bars on my national being drawn out so i transfered the top bars over and shook the swarm off the frames in the nuc into the TBH. I had placed a queen excluder over the entrance of the TBH to try and stop the bees upping and leaving. will remove in a few days. Checked the TBH yesterday and bee were twoing and frowing and seemed very happy.

heres a few pics hope you enjoy







.

 

[Tom Bick]

Well done Owen its all fallen into place not perhaps as you planned but looks as though it will do the job.
Good move getting partly drawn top bars the queen can start to lay almost straight away and that will help to hold them.

 

[nosmoking]

Nice one! I was wondering about a queen excluder and how I could use one (on a tbh) temporarily well, that's answered my question!

 

[Friar Tuck]

I'm just using the QE for a few days max a week. Just so the bees can build some comb and the Q can start laying. I am hoping this will prevent the swarm from buggering off
Then i will remove and let them bee .