Michele Arquette wrote:

I have seen many plans on the web. It may be possible for me to have one
built . Can anyone suggest a  particular model over another or maybe any
idea on how the ones made by Draper Bee are working out.

Hello Michele and all,
Actually the Draper OB hives work very well.  One is in operation at
*The Berry Patch* at Cleveland, Missouri.  The hive however is mantained
by Roger Nichols, president of the Midwestern Beekeepers assn. and
commercial  beekeeper.
About any design of observation Hive could be mantained with proper care
but attention to detail is paramount.  Kind of like keeping a fish
aquarium or ant farm.  Many of todays beekeepers started as a child with
a ant farm in a study i read.   Larger OB hive would certainly be easier
than small.   I believe Drapers OB hive is one of the largest on the
market.  The only improvement i would make in the Draper OB hive( I have
used the hive at shows for many years) would be to make a way to lock
the hive in position when unattended.  We have had trouble with children
trying to spin the hive like a merry go around.  The hive is top heavy
so care needs to used when transporting the Draper hive.  Both small
points when considering the overall features of the hive.  I would
consider the hive one of best on the market.
If you could get another beekeeper with greater experience to help then
i would think your chances for success would be improved.  Because you
have got hives of your own then the OB hive could be redone as many
times as needed.   The Draper hive can be carried to the bee yard to be
redone(big advantage).   I would think(in my opinion) only putting the
OB hive on display during the summer months if you live in a cold
climate would be better and returning the bees to a regular hive for
winter or wintering over a strong hive might be better for winter.
Emerging Brood ,nurse bees and honey /pollen would need to be added to
winter from your other colony.
The above is only a rough draft of things that might need to be done.
The commitment is great if a truly great example of a OB hive is to be
maintained.  Better no hive  than a poor example with numerous dead
bees, disease and poor comb looking like the neglected fish tank.
Because you are interested in doing something for the betterment of
beekeeping and the enjoyment of others i have taken the time to try and
answer your question.  I wish i had time for a year around OB hive but
will have to be content like Allen Dick to watch Drapers on the net.
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison