Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: OzBuzz on October 10, 2012, 04:13:53 am

Title: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: OzBuzz on October 10, 2012, 04:13:53 am

G'day folks, just wondering if you know any suppliers in Australua who have an observation hive kit? Either in kit form or completed? Or does anybody have one for sale?

Cheers

Oz

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: bernsad on October 10, 2012, 05:48:15 am

Can't help you with the Obs Hive, sorry.

Packaging, labels, obs hive.... I'm sensing market stall here!

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: squidink on October 10, 2012, 06:17:13 am

Great idea for a market store mate!
Its not something i have seen for sale.
You might have to make one..
Ben

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: bigsting on October 11, 2012, 11:36:40 am

hi i built this works well in summer  but th bees eat all there stores in the first mouth of winter  http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/3-frame-observation-hive-2/01-obsrhive/ (http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/3-frame-observation-hive-2/01-obsrhive/) i would like to try one of these  http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Ulster-Observation-Hive/productinfo/U501/ (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Ulster-Observation-Hive/productinfo/U501/)

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: OzBuzz on October 11, 2012, 08:26:20 pm

That three frame observation hive looks nice! I think we might run with that! the ulster hive looks good to - only problem with it i guess is you'd likely never see the queen which is why most people, especially kids, are interested in observation hives

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: bigsting on October 12, 2012, 12:56:54 am

what you do is put the queen up the top on the frame there is a queen excuder under the glass bit to keep her there make sure you mark the queen

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: OzBuzz on October 12, 2012, 01:18:12 am

Ah goood point! makes sense!

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: bigsting on October 12, 2012, 02:09:11 am

my one cost me about 150 in materials for my 3 frame one 5frame nuc would be cheaper to convert and more stabell on the table

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: OzBuzz on October 12, 2012, 02:28:41 am

I like the idea of that nuc observation hive! and the benefit too is that you could just take the top off when not in use and use it as a normal nuc...

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: rawfind on October 12, 2012, 02:42:22 am

Quote from: squidink on October 10, 2012, 06:17:13 am

Great idea for a market store mate!
Its not something i have seen for sale.
You might have to make one..
Ben

Been planning on a ob hive here too for when i hit the markets  :)

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: johnauck on October 23, 2012, 07:35:38 pm

I have almost finished a 3 frame obs hive. I found a number of plans for obs hives and checked them out. In the end I did not follow a set plan but worked out the correct spacing (paying attention to advice in Michael Bush's books). I spent quite some time drawing it out on graph paper.

Getting the uprights rebated and slotted for the glass and routed for the frame slots is the trickiest bit. I used a couple of pieces of 90x45 dressed pine and used a table saw (carefully adjusting the height of the blade to get the right rebates).



The most expensive parts were the glass, I purchased 2 sheets of safety glass which cost $110.

If you have a bit of time and a table saw you can build one pretty easily. I'm not very skilled at woodworking, but this project is not too complicated.
(http://s11.postimage.org/7yvzvg48f/IMG_8096.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7yvzvg48f/)


cheers

john

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: prestonpaul on October 23, 2012, 09:40:47 pm

Nice!

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: bernsad on October 23, 2012, 10:12:32 pm

Good work, John. I'd like to see it occupied.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Title: Re: Observation hive kit etc
Post by: bigsting on October 24, 2012, 07:15:02 am

clear pvc is cheaper than glass and is half the whight  which is good whn you are the market runer