Barry's Bee page at http://birkey.com/BLB/Beekeeping/index.html
contains hive dimensions,  and instructions for building the most
popular hive styles.
 
Frank & Phronsie Humphrey
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-----Original Message-----
From: Garth <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 1998 10:42 AM
Subject: Re: Hive dimensions
 
 
>Hi Mark and All
>
>Just thought I would share a few tips I have found in making
homemade
>hive bodies.
>
>First it is good to have one commercially made hive on hand, to
>enable one to make the best copies.
>
>Secondly, instead of buying expensive metal sheeting for hive
lids
>coverings, it is easiest to go to the local newspaper printing
press
>and ask them for the negative printing sheets they use. These
are
>large aluminium sheets with newspaper text burnt onto them.
Usually
>the press recycles them back to the suppliers, but they are
usually
>happy to sell them to a beekeeper (with the aid of a bottle of
honey
>or promise thereof). I pay about US$0.15c a sheet, which makes
one
>cover.
>
>For bottom boards it works out cheaper to use corrugated
plastic.
>This is the stuff many signwriters use. If you know an estate
agent,
>or advertising company, ask them for their old signs. Otherwise
the
>stuff can be bought, for about a quarter the price of the same
area
>of timber. It is also quite handy for inner covers.
>
>Anyhow, those are my tips. (This newspaper one is especially
fun.
>Everytime you go to a hive, you will be reminded of specific
things -
>eg Local Residents Confused by Mysterious Yellow Spots on
Windows
>etc)
>
>Keep well
>
>Garth
>---
>Garth Cambray       Camdini Apiaries
>15 Park Road        Apis melifera capensis
>Grahamstown         800mm annual precipitation
>6139
>Eastern Cape
>South Africa               Phone 27-0461-311663
>
>On holiday for a few months     Rhodes University
>Which means: working with bees 15 hours a day!
>Interests: Fliis and bees
>Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post in no
way
>reflect those of Rhodes University.
>