Bee Box Handles - How to Make Them Like a Pro!

Watch me make a jig to use a router table to make the perfect, professional bee hive D handles. Simple to make and easy to use. Here's a link to the plans drive.google.com/open?id=1mj-...
I can't find those bits anymore, so I had custom tungten bits made with long shanks. No extension needed anymore. Check them out here aussiemikesbees.com/product/a...

[@eberntson]

Thx, Mike! This is one of the safest and most rational approaches to handles on bee boxes I have seen. I enjoy the tone of your videos too. Cheers!

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback. I intend to do an update video using the custom long shaft router bit I designed, eliminating the extension bit.

[@st.nicholasorthodoxchurchm7749]

Thank you, Mike! Great video!

[@anthfoxx6298]

Thanks Mike, building two frame and five frame Nucs to breed Queens in the coming season, we will use your idea for the handles, regards Anton

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks, Anth. Be sure to post pics. I’d like to see how yours turn out.

[@mitchtaylor7725]

Great video Mike, natural mate!

[@darrelphillips7534]

Thanks for the great video.

[@AussieMikesBees]

You’re welcome, Darrel. Thanks for watching.

[@NorthernIreland0]

Good job 👍

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks, Reinaldo. I'll be doing an update with the new router bit I had engineered.

[@AussieMikesBees]

Randy Bennett asked for a cut list for the jig. I've added a link to the drawing above. Hope that helps. Any questions comment here. Cheers

[@sam1174]

Hearing protection but no eye protection?

[@AussieMikesBees]

Nicely spotted, Sam. The jig doesn’t suppress sound, but is very effective at shielding me from wood debris.

[@garyhoipkemier8365]

Could you provide current links to the bit you use, what are the depth dimensions? Thank you, Mate!

[@AussieMikesBees]

Hey Gary. I ran into supply issues for these bits even before Covid. I was getting them direct from China (AliExpress), but they started sending the wrong items. I commissioned a tool maker to do a batch of bits I designed with a long shaft, so the extension bit was no longer required and solid carbide so they stay sharp much longer. I'll do an update video. In the meantime, I've been selling them for US$60 plus shipping mostly to US beeks. If you're interested, email me [e-mail] with your details o I can get accurate shipping. Cheers Mike

[@bensbees9761]

And what brand is your router table? Thank you

[@mikeallerton88]

Hey Ben, thanks for your comments. The router table is a Jessem Masterlift Excel II www.jessem.com/tablet/mast-r-lift-excel-ii.html . I love it. The extension collet I bought from one of the Aussie woodwork machinery shops, though I’ve since sourced them from China. I’ll find linked tomorrow and add them here.

[@thomasbacon]

Did you bend your router extension yet?

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks for the question, Thomas. No, that never happened, I don’t use the extension anymore. I engaged a tool company to make a batch of long shanked carbide bits. The Chinese bit was HSS and tended to dull and supply was getting unreliable. The last time I ordered them, they substituted a 40mm instead of the 50mm making the handle too shallow. I’ll do an update video on the long shank bit.

[@thomasbacon]

@@AussieMikesBees got it. I only asked because I had that same idea and my router extension bent on my 150ish handle. I ended up getting a company to custom cut some shaper cutters for the handle shape I wanted.

[@AussieMikesBees]

Good move. A shaper is definitely the best machine for the job. I don’t have one, though, nor the room to fit it in my shop.

[@drumbuddy9028]

where did u get the extension?

[@AussieMikesBees]

Thanks for watching. I bought the extension at my local woodworking tool shop. I’ve gone a different path now and had custom long shank tungsten carbide router bits made. I’ll make an update video about, but in the meantime I talk about them on my first Q&A. th-cam.com/video/Q7REiYcNjx0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dweBftAfnxxTUnb_

[@0hleg]

I don’t know if my router can handle one of these bits how do I figure that out

[@AussieMikesBees]

Hey @Ohleg,
Good point. The things to consider are variable speed, power and 1/2” collet.
Large bits must run at lower revs because the outer edge is travelling much faster. There are after market speed controllers for fixed speed routers.
My router is 1800W and works well. It’s possible to work with lower power by taking multiple passes, stepping up the depth until reaching the final pass. This is a good idea with high power routers too because it reduces the stress on the bit and router. In any case, the feed rate for this bit is much slower than for small bits.
Any router with a 1/2” (12.7mm) collet should handle this bit. Be sure to clean the collet and bit before inserting the bit. With long bits any wobble from debris in the collet will be magnified.
I hope that helps.
Cheers,
Mike
.

[@0hleg]

@@AussieMikesBees thanks for the answer, appreciate it. Oh btw did you ever boil your boxes in wax? How did it turn out? I was considering doing it but it seems complicated. Was it easy to do? Do you have any tips for that.

[@AussieMikesBees]

@Ohleg, yes. I hot wax dip all my hives. In my opinion, it's the best way to preserve wooden hives. I can also kill AFB spores.
I welded up my own vat and use an even mix of microcrystalline and paraffin. It's not complicated, but it is dangerous. The wax is heated to 150°C. It's also flammable, so there's a risk of burns and fire. But then, frying chips in the kitchen has a similar risk. Just take reasonable precautions. I wear protective gear; face shield, long sleeves and jeans, gloves and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Cheers,
Mike

[@KyleHeon]

Where did you get the bit and collet extension?

[@AussieMikesBees]

Hey Kyle, I got them from Aliexpress: Router bit here www.aliexpress.com/item/1-2-inch-Shank-2inch-Dia-Woodworking-Round-Nose-Cove-Core-Box-Router-Bit-Cutter/32865570533.html
and Collet Extension here www.aliexpress.com/item/1-2-Inch-Shank-Bits-Router-Collet-Extension-Rod-Engraving-Machine-Extension-Rod-J15-Dropshipping/32849332530.html. It took a couple of weeks to deliver, but worth the wait.

[@michaelperry3641]

@@AussieMikesBees The links changed on Aliexpress. Here is an updated amazon equivalent: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FSNMVLS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PGST3B8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@AussieMikesBees]

Michael Perry thanks for tracking that down. I had noticed AliExpress dropped the ball on that. I’m looking to have a custom made bit that will have a long shaft so the extension collet won’t be needed. I’ll post when I have details.

[@charlierose8164]

@@AussieMikesBees did you find a long shaft cove bit ?

[@AussieMikesBees]

@@charlierose8164 Hey Charlie, thanks for asking. After searching high and low with no luck, I landed up commissioning a custom run with a tool maker. The Chinese bit in the video was high speed steel and did dull after a while. Not too hard to sharpen up again, but a nuisance. The ones I commissioned are tungsten carbide and work very well. I sell them for US$75 plus shipping from Australia. I'll make a video update showing off the new bit.

[@yorchg880]

Hola, cual es el tamaño del router bit?

[@mikemindbendercomedystageh7578]

Hey Yorch, thanks for watching. The router bit is a 2" or 50mm cove bit with a 1/2" shank. Cheers.

[@yorchg880]

​@@mikemindbendercomedystageh7578
How does that mark the bee and the name on the wood?

[@mikemindbendercomedystageh7578]

Yorch G I use my laser engraver. When I find some time I’ll do a video on that.

[@yorchg880]

@@mikemindbendercomedystageh7578 Thank you