Horizontal hive that holds Langstroth Deep frames

[Yankee11]

Just finished for a customer that wanted a top bar type horizontal) hive but would hold about 30 regular Langstroth style frames. So here is what I made her.

[JUDELT]

Nice! can we see pics of inside with frames. thanks

[Ray]

Probably nit-picking but IMO the proper name for that is a Horizontal hive. A Top-Bar Hive would have topbars, not frames  .

My usual perceptive self (totally missed the title of this tread). Oh, Well. Open mouth, insert foot 

[Yankee11]

Your right Ray.

Here are some more pics.

[Lburou]

Nice work Yankee!

I have a couple horizontal hives.  FWIW, two useful things in a horizontal hive are a follower board(s) and a board with a queen excluder in the middle (like a window).  I like legs too.  :-)

[Barbarian]

Well crafted job, Yankee !

The customer is always right. Made me think that all it needed was a set of brass handles and a name plate.   

The barmy inventive Brits have at least 3 designs for horizontal frame hives.   None are popular.

[efmesch]

THAT is a really beautiful job.  Lee, or anyone else with experience managing hives like that, please tell us about it.  Would you recommend it as a viable alternative to stacking supers?

[Perry]

Looks great. Is that entrance open all they across? Seems like a lot of entrance.
I have a hard time understanding the construction of hives that rely on horizontal movement of bees and clusters, when it seems to me bees almost always prefer to work in a vertical fashion.

[efmesch]

Perry says: "Seems like a lot of entrance."
Ef adds:  I thought the same thing till I looked at the first of the second set of pictures (post #3) and saw the nice entrance blocks Yankee made.  My question about management of horizontal hives includes the question as to which areas is it best to block and how much of which area  to leave open.

[Ray]

I tried my version of Horizontal hives (as a 1st year Beehaver), it was a colossal failure. My biggest problem (other than ignorance) was the sides bowed and allowed the frames to tip into the box. The frames then acted as a pry and bowed the box further. The follower board no longer fit, allowing the bees access to the back of the hive. What a learning experience!

[apisbees]

Where the entrance and how large will depend on there the cluster is and the size of the cluster of bees. to large or to far away from the cluster and the hive will be acceptable to robbers.
going into winter you want the bees and little remaining brood at one end and the winter stores of honey extending towards the opposite end so the bees can move over to the next frame as more food is required.

[Lburou]

THAT is a really beautiful job.  Lee, or anyone else with experience managing hives like that, please tell us about it.  Would you recommend it as a viable alternative to stacking supers?

Here, Ef, is a thread where I posted about my horizontal hives.  You can see the flexibility of the design: One can stack supers over winter, or, for making queens, or for honey production.  I do like not bending.  Working these hives (with the second story extension) is easier with one of those new, shorter, flat hive tools. I see one of these in my dotage.  :-)

[Yankee11]

I've never had one but this is what she wanted. She is a top bar lady but wants to get some work with frames.

I did wonder about the bowing part, guess we will see how it does for her.

The entrance reducers will allow her to control the openings

[Lburou]

Where the entrance and how large will depend on there the cluster is and the size of the cluster of bees. to large or to far away from the cluster and the hive will be acceptable to robbers.

Apis, this is how the robbing issue was handled on my horizontal hives:

[Lburou]

I've never had one but this is what she wanted. She is a top bar lady but wants to get some work with frames.

I did wonder about the bowing part, guess we will see how it does for her.

The entrance reducers will allow her to control the openings

Yankee, you could reinforce the sides with a furring strip down the sides & near the top.  Give the lady what she wants!  We had our 48th wedding anniversary this past week...Ladies are happier when you give them what they want  ;-)

[efmesch]

Thanks Lee, for the links, the pictures and the marital advice.
We're rounding the turn towards our 50th, and I'll vouch for the correctness your last statement and add: it's true about men too.

[capt44]

Here is a picture of a Langstroth Long Hive I built and set up a few days ago.
I mounted it on a 4x4 post on each end because of the weight.
The Nuc of bees I put in it took to it right off.