> I've always used a solution Copper Napthanate and water to
> soak hive bodies before assembly; however, the wood tends
> to cup slightly

I make quite a bit of sawdust, and I have found many answers
to questions about wood here:

http://www.woodweb.com/KnowledgeBase/KBIndex.html#search

Here are two "articles" that may be of interest:

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Warp_in_Drying.html

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Cupping_of_resawn_lumber.html

One question - do you REALLY need to "soak" the hive components?
What if you painted or sprayed the exterior surfaces and edges only?
This would certainly cut down or eliminate cupping, as the entire
board would not get wet.

I paint my woodenware, and some of it, acquired from a retiring
beekeeper, dates back to the 1970s.  The inside surfaces do not
appear to require treatment if woodenware is stored "inside"
when not on the hive.

                jim ("God is Dead" -- Nietzsche
                    "Nietzsche is Dead" -- God)

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