Australian Native Bees | News & Info

Octagonal Hive V3

This article follows the progress of this box from 2017 to the current date…

I’ve started on some new Octagonal Boxes. I’ll add more to this as I progress. The base layer and middle layer are 2.6L volume each. The top layer is 1.9L and can be closed off to reduce the volume of the box so the bees can start off with a smaller space.

Specs:

  • Timber: Cypress
  • Timber Thickness: 35mm
  • Design: Octagonal
  • Internal Volume: Total 7L (can be sectioned off)
  • Brood Supports: Cypress
  • Separator Plate:
  • Coating:  Oil
  • Weight:

Making up the frames (This first photo is from a previous build to show the pieces)

These new boxes have a separate hinged lid…

I found some fancy latches…

Some basic stats for the Octagonal box…

  • 22.5 degree cut – 16 cuts per layer
  • 16 screws for each layer – each screw needs a hole drilled and countersunk, that’s 48 drill actions per layer. … a fair bit of work!

Below – hinged lid for easy hive observation…

Update: 2018 – These boxes have turned out to be a long term project. I’ve been busy making other boxes and haven’t had much spare time to spend on these.

 

Update 01/06/2019 !!

A friend – Krystal, wanted to try some wood burning (Pyrography) on these boxes so she’s had them for a while burning the designs on. Below is one of the boxes with a floral design. It looks great.

I can’t really help myself and had to take it further by staining and clear coating it.

I think the side panels look good but the end grain tends to be darker with stain and a more matt finish so i think that might need some more thought.

to be continued…..

Hivecraft - Australian Native Bee Supplies

Native bee boxes available at www.hivecraft.com.au

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