Ken Hoare has mailed me observing that I have been quiet on the net lately.  I
am not certain whether this was complaint or congratulation.  Whichever it was
I shall remedy it at once.
First decide the purpose of the nuc.  A mini nuc for queen mating purposes
would be a completely different size to a standard nucleus used for swarm
control, increase and a host of other purposes.
Assuming you wish to build standard nucs build them around your standard brood
frames having proper regard for bee space.  My nucs take 4 frames - 5 would be
better- and have top bee way, crown board feeders, very deep roofs to reduce
wind chill, an entrance hole the diameter of my finger with a nail stuck in to
keep mice out.  They are made from three eights ply glued and pinned.
To encourage you with your project I shall quote from one of my favourite bee
authors, Wedmore. "Almost every emergency of management can be met forthwith
by putting something into or taking something out of a nucleus, while nuclei
themselves seldom present emergencies."
Chris Slade