Elizabeth, I do put all my hive parts together, but I have only two hives at
present.  I also have three kids to help.  They get extra priviledges for
beework (an afternoon of work for a banana split if the best deal for all
concerned).  I did a demonstration for a 4-H group once & part of it was
hands on.  They came to my house, each with their own hammer, I showed them
how hive boxes were put together, we all glued & hammered.  They loved it &
wanted to come back to paint them.  I needed them sooner than their next
monthly meeting.  Maybe next time I buy hive boxes, I'll plan ahead & call
them!

I switched to ALL Illinois supers (I use them as honey super & brood boxes).
Next year I hope to be able to afford switching to all shallow supers, as
the full Illinois supers are still too heavy for me.  (I am a wimp)  Our
bees winter fine in Southern Ohio in 3 Illinois supers.  They are much
easier for me to handle.  Linda