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Author Topic: Making Progress  (Read 10080 times)

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Offline stickbow95

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Making Progress
« on: May 06, 2014, 06:16:42 pm »
Finished my first two hives today:





Painted them as well, just didn't get pics of that.

Now to set them out and put up the electric fence.

Bees are scheduled to arrive on Saturday.

I'm excited...


Ben
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Offline Jen

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2014, 06:23:12 pm »
Nice craftmanship Ben!  ;) 8)
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Offline Perry

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2014, 06:23:45 pm »
Atta Boy Ben!
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Offline Bamabww

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2014, 06:32:03 pm »
looking very good. Way to go. Good luck with your bees.
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Wayne

Offline riverbee

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2014, 06:32:48 pm »
very cool!  thanks for the pix and keep us posted!
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Offline stickbow95

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2014, 06:35:35 pm »
Thanks!
I will bend the covers tomorrow. I run the electrical department at an Electrical, HVACR company so I am fortunate to have access to all the brakes, finger brakes, and shears that one could desire. I think I noticed a couple pieces of copper sheet in the scrap rack that will be just the right size... since I am an electrician I feel its fitting. Of course, I like the color too. It should go well with the light greenish paint that I used on the hives.
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Offline riverbee

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2014, 08:51:05 pm »
ben, forgot to ask, what did you decide to do on the electric fence?
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2014, 10:32:39 pm »
Nicely done!   Drop in  pic with those copper tops too!!
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Offline stickbow95

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2014, 07:13:23 am »
As for the electric fence, I figured I'd install a 480volt 3-phase service, and alternate bare conductors of all three phases around the hives, that way when a bear tries to get in, it will be just like the hot dog-and-nails experiment we did in school... Then when I go out to check the bees, I can carve off a nice roast as well ;-) .
Now,  for reality lol.  I have the charger and other parts,  it's ac powered since I will be setting them up around 100 ft from a pole barn and I'll set a post and receptacle near the hives. I planned on alternating live and ground wires in addition to the typical ground rods.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2014, 07:20:02 am by stickbow95 »
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Offline tbonekel

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2014, 07:20:31 am »
Ben, looks really nice! Shoot a little motivation over my way. I have some wood that needs to be cut.
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Offline pistolpete

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2014, 10:45:28 am »
it's hard to tell from your pictures, but if you're relying on glue alone to hold those boxes together, you might have trouble.   Then inside of the box stays moist, while the outside is dry.  This causes the top and  bottom of each board to want to warp out.   I'd back those joints up with screws.  just pre drill the holes or the wood will split.
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Offline stickbow95

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2014, 10:52:12 am »
They are screwed and gorilla glued. I used pocket holes on the inside of the deeps and the telescoping cover.  However, a good glue will always be stronger than a fastener. I am a bit of a fanatic when it comes to fastening/joining. I was going to go with dovetail joints but I figured that if they only last a few years it would be wasted effort. As they are now, they could double as jack-stands.
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Offline Jen

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2014, 10:58:34 am »
Like your work Stick! I am inclined to want to sink the screws and cap with antique upolstery nails for a decorative flair  ;) 8)
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Offline efmesch

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2014, 01:32:50 pm »
Your bees are going to love you for making them such beautiful hives.  Now make your third boxes for each hive so they'll be able to pay you back adequately with honey.   8)
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Offline stickbow95

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2014, 09:34:37 pm »
Here are the completed hives:


My Dad and I also managed to dig the post holes and set the posts and concrete this evening as well. Pictures of the enclosure will be forthcoming...
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #15 on: May 08, 2014, 09:47:14 pm »
Whoo wee..  You can do inspections in the dark!!!   ;D
   Job well done!
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Offline Jen

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #16 on: May 09, 2014, 01:01:10 am »
LOVE those copper lids! They are going to be beautiful with the patina ~ I want!
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Offline efmesch

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #17 on: May 09, 2014, 03:56:52 am »
Stick---may your supers stack so high that you worry about the copper covers attracting lightening!   :laugh:

Really beautiful--and so well crafted!  :goodjob:
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Offline stickbow95

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #18 on: May 09, 2014, 06:27:55 am »
Lol. Maybe I should put lightning points in them too.
I'm sure they won't last any longer than any other, but at least the girls in the family are having fun with it. My mom and sister want to paint flowers on them... I can imagine all the frustrated bees: "what's with these flowers? Tell her majesty that we should move."
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Offline stickbow95

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Re: Making Progress
« Reply #19 on: May 09, 2014, 09:09:04 pm »
Bees came early.  I picked them up today at 16:00. Hived them at around 17:30. It went well,  although I chickened out and wore gloves. There was a light drizzle and 49°F. I had several bees hit my veil at full speed. I assume they had a grouch on. But all in all it went well to my thinking.
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