How to Build A Beehive - Part 1: the Plan and Prep
Adam Koons
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This article is part of a 5 part series on building beehives. I have decided to build 8 frame hives in my workshop with common woodworking tools. I am building my hives myself to save money over buying, and to challenge myself on a fulfilling project. This is not a step by step guide for a novice woodworker, but a snapshot into my experience on how I built my own hives to use.
If you just want to skip all my ramblings - here is the video of my build!
I am getting bees this year. I am going to make all the components of a beehive.
I am completely new to beekeeping, and by no means an expert in the field. I have read a few books, taken a beginners class/joined a club, and watched a ton of YouTube on the topic. There is loads of information out there, and many differing opinions about the best way to go. It is a bit overwhelming about how to get started.
Wherever a beginner in a new hobby starts, there is always a cost of entry. Beekeeping is no different, and it would be easy to drop $500-$1000 before even getting bees. For example, a hive costs around $200+ for a 10 frame hive starter kit. Then the cost of a bee suite, hive tools, smoker, etc will run easily another $100+. To join a club and take a class adds another $100+ to get first hand education. Finally the package of bees run around $120 but a nuc can be closer to $180. Then most people suggest you start with at least 2 hives when getting started so you can compare and have a better chance in year two, if only one hive makes it, then you can split the surviving one and keep going.
Since woodworking is my first passion/hobby, I have a good understanding of how all the pieces and parts of a hive are built. Most of the beekeeping equipment is made from standard pine boards. I am fascinated with the box joint on the boxes and the bee-spacing throughout the hive. I love that the equipment all fits together in a certain way, and some of the component are “reversible” and interchangeable. Since wanting to get into the hobby, I have thought “I can build that"!”
And that is what I intend to do - Build out complete hives: Bottom boards, Deep Brood Boxes, Medium Supers, Feeders, Inter Covers, Telescoping covers, and frames for it all.
Before I get into building the hive components I need to clear up some things:
I don’t buy into the argument that you can’t build it cheaper than you can buy it.
I am a woodworker first, and a beekeeper second. That means I have a TON of scrap lumber laying around that I will “need” someday. This project will use up these boards.
I will be spending time in my woodworking hobby whether I was going to keep bees or not. When you are doing a hobby, it is for enjoyment and there isn’t a dollar value to place on time spent. If I wasn’t spending the time to build hive components, I would still be spending hobby time on something else - furniture, boats, trinkets, etc. - Most people are sitting around from 9pm to 11 pm during the week.
From strictly cash leaving my account, I promise less money will leave my bank account, by building my own hives.
There are lots of opinions in beekeeping (and in general life I guess), and I am choosing to do things my way in my Apiary.
I want to learn as I go, and building my equipment is part of the learning process. I will build components and then build other needed items as I go.
I will be build and use an 8 Frame Langstroth Hive, because it is a hobby and not a commercial operation, and the wood components scale to an 8’ board better (less waste).
I have read that it will also take less effort for the bees to build out, it more resembles a natural hive in a tree, and the can over winter better. These are yet to be proven.
I value other opinions, but be careful how you give advice. I respect your experience, but we all need to understand the line between providing advice and shaming/disrespecting someone for how they will be doing things.
There was a time when craftsmanship and creating things from the materials on hand was appreciated.
I like the idea of making things for myself, vs. the instant gratification of ordering everything on Amazon/the bee suppliers.
My equipment won’t be perfectly machined, but the bees won’t care and it will still work the same.
There are a lot of pieces, parts, and cuts that need to be made. I already have the equipment, but it will still be a challenge to use the tools to create everything.
Beehive Plans and How to Guides
I spent all winter learning and preparing how to build my hives. I have researched build styles, and watched plenty of YouTube videos on how others have built them. None of the plans I am following in my builds are my own, and I will share where I got the ideas from. I have no affiliation with the following, but am sharing them as great content if you also want to build your own beehives.
Books I have Read - The Backyard Beekeeper and Beekeeping For Dummies
The Bee Source - They have a great site for getting free plans on building many popular beehive boxes, frames, and more. Specifically, I am using their Dadant Type Frames plans, and if I were building 10 Frame hive boxes, I would use their plans.
Building Beehives For Dummies - I am using their plans as a guide for my bottom boards, deep brood boxes, medium supers, inter covers, and telescoping cover. The biggest change I am making to their plans is that my boxes will be 14” x 20”.
General Notes on How to build a Bee Hive - Based on the plans and the videos, I plan to heavily use my table saw and dado blade stack, my miter saw and a band saw. There will be other required tools, but this will generally be the tools used for everything.
While things are set up, I am making the hive components for 2 hives at once. Included in the 2 hives will be a solid bottom board, 2 Deep Brood Boxes, 2 Medium Honey Supers, a feeder, and inter cover, and a telescoping cover.
How to Build A Langstroth Hive
This video is a great visual of using a box joint jig on a table saw and making the hive boxes. This video has everything except the frames.
How to Build Beehive Frames
I will be sharing my techniques and build process in the new part of this series. As I go, I will share tips, tricks, and thoughts as I go along. Since I have a wood shop already set up, I will be sharing costs when I purchase materials, but will not have a completely accurate dollar total at the end.
This article is part of a 5 part series on building beehives. I have decided to build 8 frame hives in my workshop with common woodworking tools. I am building my hives myself to save money over buying, and to challenge myself on a fulfilling project. This is not a step by step guide for a novice woodworker, but a snapshot into my experience on how I built my own hives to use.
HOW TO BUILD A BEEHIVE - PART 1: THE PLAN AND PREP
HOW TO BUILD A BEEHIVE - PART 2: BUILDING BEEHIVE BOXES - DEEPS AND MEDIUMS
HOW TO BUILD A BEEHIVE - PART 3: BUILDING FRAMES
HOW TO BUILD A BEEHIVE - PART 5: FINAL THOUGHTS AND TOTAL COST
