This is my Kenyan Top Bar Bee Hive, I made it using 1 inch thick Eastern Red Aromatic Cedar, It is supposed to be close to a natural hive making the bees think they are working inside a hollow tree. The top, the window ( so we can spy on them) and bottom are hinged with a brass piano hinge. I sealed the top with 6 inch wide Copper eave material, I put a weathervane on top so the bees know which way the wind is blowing when they come in for a landing. I used a wood burner and burned a picture of a bee then painted it so the bees would know where their home is. I was going to burn an address on it but my wife Rene said they can't read that's why I went with the picture.
From the ground to the top bar it is 38 inches which is a little tall but I am over 6 feet tall and this way I will not have to bend over to much to pull the Honey bars, I added a step between the legs so Rene being 5 feet tall can get up and help me with all the things that need to be done. It is a full 48 inches long with 30 Bars and two follower boards.
I insulated the roof with 1 inch foam board for the winter months and months and months we have here in Indiana.
All the frame and legs are milled lumber to a full 2 inch by 3 inch material, the body of the hive is full 1 inch material, I split 1x6 boards and milled them to 3/8 inch boards for the roof.
All the hardware is stainless steel.
This is the only way I can figure out how to do it, hope it works for everyone and PLEASE send comments, what needs to bee changed or added good and bad welcome.
http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i373/MRTMEA/Member:
Indiana BeeKeepers Association
Indiana State BeeKeepers Association
Topic: My first KTBH (Read 2902 times)