Apis MelliferaNo Rusty Nails
Instead of using nails to assemble the hive supers that will eventually rust and weaken, I use wooden dowels. They are made of harder wood than the pine supers and should last as long as the super.
Here I am using 3/8" diameter dowels with supers made of 2X lumber (1 1/2") wall thickness. I use 1/4" diameter, 1 1/2" long, dowels with box joint supers made of 3/4".
Glue is added to the wholes and the dowels are driven home with a light hammer. Use a wooden block between the hammer and the dowel to prevent hammer marks on the super. You should use enough glue that it begins to ooze out between the holes and the dowels when the dowels are seated. Wipe off excess glue and if necessary cut off the dowel flush with the surface. I use a Japanese style flush cut saw.
Posted on Aug. 5, 2010
