Dear reader,
        The easiest method of making a follower board is to buy 1 X and cut it
to length. I know, I am using many of these at the moment. I like follower
boards because they make hive inspection simple. Each hive should have only 1. I
did say 1 and only 1. The board is cut to the size of the frame from end bar to
end bar. Standard lumber is used. Nails properly placed in each end will suspend
the board without the need to make any cuts except to length. The board comes
out first when you inspect the bees. Set the board aside and examine each frame.
The first frame out of the hive goes where the follower board was. Place each
inspected frame in until you have gone completely through the hive box. Replace
the follower board on the other side of the frames. That is why we call it a
follwer board, it follows the frames back into the hive. A 1 X 6 works for
shallow boxes, a 1X8 for mediums and a 1 X 10 for deeps. The prospect of using
two of these boards that are 3/8 inch thick is unnecessary and defeats the
purpose which is to make hive inspection more quick and easy. Only 1 is needed
and that is all you should use.
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Follower boards
Author:  Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]> at internet-ext
Date:    10/8/96 5:20 PM
 
 
In Eugene Killion's HONEY IN THE COMB he gives plans for making solid
durable follower boards.   The major difficulty would be in finding 3/8"
stock to make them from.
 
Another description I once saw used 3/8" masonite, the size of a frame,
with a strip of sheet metal bent over the top (the metal was the length of
a top bar).  There were 4 rivets popped thru the metal holding it securely
to the board.
 
The "ears" of the follower board were formed by bending under the sheet
metal on each end (where it juts past the edge of the board).  I've not
made any like this but it seems straightforward.
 
An old-timer once suggested to me the idea of manufacturing quality
follower boards.  They are never offered by suppliers or in the journals.
Someone could no doubt make a nice little business of it, it they could
make them in large quanitities and offer to ship them. I think they'd be
popular.