Apis MelliferaNine Frame Hive Body
I have been continuing to design and build prototypes for a hybird Langstroth-Warre hive body that can be used with 14 inch frames or top bars. (see previous article) The wall thickness is considerably thicker (at 1 1/4 inch) than conventional 1X lumber (3/4 inch) construction, yet can be made from less expensive and more readily available 2X lumber. The hive body and bottom board (SBB shown here) are designed to make the most use of commonly available 2X lumber.
This nine frame hive body is a square hive body as opposed to the rectangular shape of the Langstroth hive. The hive body has a hive chamber foot print that is two-thirds that of a typical Langstroth hive body, while the total volume of honeycomb is roughly equal to a medium super. The depth of the hive body is the same as the Langstroth 9 5/8 inches, so that standard 19 frame parts can be used with minor modifications. I hope to use this hive design this coming year, some with frames and others with top bars.
Posted on Dec. 20, 2009