Introduction to Horizontal Hives - Long Langstroth Build Part Three

Part Three of a series of videos for the Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW - Hawkesbury Club. Mike offers an easy to follow introduction to horizontal hives as he builds one for the club. In this episode, Mike starts in the workshop. He uses a planer-thicknesser to dress the wood. Then his table saw to rip to width. He edge glues two board to make them wide enough for the job. Then makes finger joints on his home made jig. He laser engraves the hive brand. This episode sees the basic box assembled. Next episode, Mike will make the roof, stand and internal accessories such as queen excluder, follower board and cover boards. He'll hot wax dip the hive in his custom made wax vat.

[@T0tenkampf]

Was really hoping to see part 4 up so I hope all is well with you!

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks for encouragement, ApexSun. Yes, I am way behind with Part 4. It’s been a crazy busy Summer with very little spare time. I’m hoping to shoot some more video this weekend.

[@T0tenkampf]

@@AussieMikesBees nice! I very much look forward to seeing the logistics of wax dipping these. Do you also dip internals like frames as leaderboards or is the man made paraffin not good for bees?

[@AussieMikesBees]

Like all things beekeeping, there are plenty of opinions about paraffin/microcrystalline. I haven't found any conclusive proof that its bad for bees. It is the choice for commercial beekeepers, so I think they wouldn't do something to negatively impact their operation. Is beeswax/rosin better? Maybe, my gut tells me yes, but it's expensive and I don't produce enough to replace parrafin. I only dip parts exposed to the weather. Internal parts aren't exposed to the elements and generally get propalised by the bees.

[@lisamiles9560]

Thanks so much for this series - have been wanting to make two of these hives but as you said everything was in imperial measurements. Looking forward to part 4 😀 follower boards and the queen excluder will be interesting (I hate them) but want to build these long enough to house two hives in each and they share the honey load, not sure if it will work but will be long enough split down the middle 😀

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Lisa. I have heard of Long Langers housing two colonies as you're proposing. I'm interested to see how well it works for you. I understand your feelings about QEs. It's one of those topics of heated discussion among beekeepers. You might consider using one to establish the size of your brood nest, then removing it once a couple of frames of honey creates the boundary. Hopefully the next part will be coming soon. I won't be able to install it with colony until September/October, so I'll do a short installation video then. Cheers.

[@horizontalbees]

You are a good craftsman and thanks for the info.

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks for watching, Rickey. I appreciate your comments and hope you continue to gain value from my content. With Summer in full swing here, I’m taking a bit long getting Part4 in the can. Stay tuned, though. It’s coming.

[@kennith.]

Cant wait for part 4. Also if you do the follow up on the queen excluder vs honey bridge.

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks for watching, Kennith. It would be a good experiment. Maybe placing a frame of honey at the point I don't want her to cross will do the trick.

[@shepherdmabika4927]

what is the length of box

[@AussieMikesBees]

This one is 1200mm or about 48”. I haven’t filled it though.

[@loislangley2975]

Where is Part 4.

[@AussieMikesBees]

Hey Lois, thanks for watching. Part 4 is on the way. I don’t get as much time in the workshop in Summer. Stay tuned, hoping to upload in a few weeks.