>  Air Compressor:    Coupled with a pneumatic stapler I can whip out 
> frames at an alarming rate


I now use an air compressor to assemble frames and other hive parts. With 
one person loading the frame jigs, and one person stapling, we've built 500 
frames in a day.

But, stapling can damage the frames. When you use nails to assemble the 
frames, the shank of the nail penetrates the grain of the wood, pushing it 
to the side, and the head of the nail sits on top of the grain...maybe 
compressing it on top a little. This way, the head is not above the top 
bar, and can be scraped without the nail interfering.

With staples, in order to have the crown of the staple slightly below the 
top of the top bar, the crown imbeds slightly. This damages the grain. With 
two staples at each end of the top bar, that damage can lead to failure of 
the top bar ear. It is like trying to break a stick. Try to break the 
stick, and it bends. There is strength in the grain, and there is 
resistance to breakage. Put a couple small nicks in the stick with your 
pocket knife, across the grain, and the stick is easily broken.

It's the same with the ears on a top bar. The two staples make a nick 
across the weakest part of the frame, and the ears are more easily broken off.

Instead, use a good waterproof glue, and only one staple. This leaves more 
undamaged grain, adding to the strength of the wood.
Mike


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