REWIND: Frame and Hive Assembling

After school for a couple weeks last summer, I went to Dustin's house to help him assemble hives and frames. He builds hives and frames for the public and to maintain the hives at John Jansen centre and other public spaces.

How to Build Frames

Step 1: Lay eight frames tops in a hive super. The box makes it easier to assemble so they don't tip over as easily. Next, pour a small amount of wood glue in the notches and push in the two side pieces. 

The four pieces of a frame: Top bar, two side pieces, and the bottom rod.

Step 2: Use a brad nailer to affix the pieces together. Point it almost 90 degrees to the sides, but make sure it doesn't poke through the other side. 

Step 3: Dab a small amount of glue on the top of each side piece and push in the bottom rod.  

Glue being applied to a side piece

Step 4: Use the brad nailer to make sure the connection is strong. This time, nail it parallel to the sides so it goes straight into the sides. Give it a light tug to ensure all the connections are secure. 

A completed frame corner joint

Step 5: Load the eight completed frames into a hive super.

Step 6: Repeat 115 times... 

🐝

By the end of the couple days we had a few hundred completed frames. These were then put into boxes, Dustin had built before. Soon, the handmade supers were piled high in his living room. 

Talk about busy bees!