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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: FredBorn on October 12, 2005, 05:43:24 pm

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: FredBorn on October 12, 2005, 05:43:24 pm

I made a small one frame obseravtion hive to take to bee talks.

I plan to put a frame in the observation hive just before I go to the meeting/talk and put it back in the hive immediatelty after.

I made it out of plain pine.

What could I finish it with? Varnish, shellack, ???

Thanks

fred - citrus county florida

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: Apis629 on October 12, 2005, 05:58:59 pm

You could probably finish the ouside with just about anything you want(varnish, stain, wax coat, etc.) just don't finish the inside.  I had a permenant observation hive just last year.  I didn't apply any kind of finish given it was an indoor hive but, if you let it dry and air out for a while the bees would probably be fine with any kind of finish on the OUTSIDE of the observational hive.

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: stilllearning on October 12, 2005, 08:33:29 pm

shellack would be a bad choice,  it is affected by water,  I am sure
you have seen fine furniture with a white ring where someone set
a wet glass.  That happens on a shellack finish
varnish outside nothing inside would be my choice.

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: Michael Bush on October 13, 2005, 10:12:29 am

I'd only finish the outside.  I'd use polyurethane or nothing or boiled linseed oil.  :)

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: leominsterbeeman on October 13, 2005, 03:23:47 pm

Mine is coated with polyurethane, outside only.  

  (http://www.leominsterbeeman.com/images/100_0329.JPG)

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: Dale on October 13, 2005, 08:28:29 pm

Only do the outside.  But then be creative, but practical as well.  I stained mine, and put 2 coats of polyurethane on it.

Title: Observation hive - what type of finish
Post by: Ross on October 14, 2005, 10:48:22 pm

I use analine dye stain (water based) and shellac.  Dried shellac is considered food grade.  It is used to coat capsules, so it can be used inside if you wanted.  I don't.