Kruse Apis

Homemade Woodenware

This was my first attempt at building my own Langstroth hives. All parts except the frames where made from lumber or plywood available at a local home center. Frames were purchased from a bee supply company. I was interested to know; how difficult the box joints would be to cut, how time consuming making my own woodenware would be, how much I could save and how nice a job I could do. I initially used the table saw with a dado blade to cut the box joints. Later I used hand held router and a homemade template made with the dado blade. You can't save much if you compare it to budget quality woodenware, however when one considers the cost of select grade woodenware (and the cost of shipping), making ones own woodenware can be an alternative. The quality of my homemade supers was as good or better at fit and finish than select quality supers with the exception of a few knots.

During this past year, I acquired a truck load of free scrap lumber from a house being built nearby. I was able to create a method of cutting up 2x lumber to use to create my supers. One 2" x 4" x 8' long has enough material to create one 6 5/8" medium super and in a pinch 2x4 lumber is about half the price or less than 1x8 lumber per board foot. And if you can get scraps from a construction site, it can save you money for other needed hive components, tools and etc. I will post an article on creating supers from 2x lumber soon.

I also have acquired a new router bit that I want to use to cut a joint similar to a rabbeted joint, but should be stronger. I will post an article on this after I have cut some example supers.

The best price I have found on finished 1x8 lumber is lately ~$1.00 per board foot, which comes to about $4 per medium super. Rough cut lumber is running ~$0.60 per bf, but would require planing.

Posted on April 30, 2009