@LBurou:
I made two, so the bill of materials is as follows:
3 - 2x4x12'
1 - 4x4x12'
~ 3/4# 8d galvanized nails
~ 1/2# 2 1/2" ceramic coated deck screws (mire are square drive)
Exterior paint (I bought pressure-treated lumber so I wanted to keep the PT nastiness from the bees
Steps:
1) cut 2-2x4x12s in half
2) cut 1-2x4x12 into 8 pcs @ 17" each
3) cut 4x4x14 into 8 pcs @ 18" each. I had read that 18" was the "magic height" to help keep skunks out
4) cut 1.5"x3.5" rabbet out of 1 end of each 4x4 piece
5) I then put two decent coats of paint onto every piece, making sure to to include the end grains and the rabbets
6) on each 2x4x72" mark a square line at 5.75" & 21.25" in from each end (these lines are o/c for the 2x4s)
7) nail in 17" 2x4s o/c of the lines made in previous step
check entire "ladder" frame for square, then toe-nail a screw in each end of 17" 2x4 into 6' 2x4. I recommend screws be toe-nailed in from inside the 17"x20" boxes created. This will use the hive above to keep water out.
9 ) place the 4x4 into the outermost corners within the 17x20" boxes (the 6' 2x4s should carry the weight, not the 17") created and secure in place using three screw in the 6' 2x4 and then one in through the side of the 17" 2x4, ensuring that each leg is square to the frame.
I'm sure the picture makes it fairly self-explanatory, but I figured I write step-by-steps, anyway. I hope they didn't bore you!
************ EDIT *************
I meant to include that I'm going to place 4 heavy eye-hooks/screws onto each stand to connect automotive tie-downs to, instead of using bricks on top of the hives. 2 eyelets per hive.
************ EDIT DONE ********
