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Author Topic: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel  (Read 5099 times)

Offline duck

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8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« on: February 01, 2013, 03:24:01 am »
Sheet layout and frame dimensions to come.  Very light and cheap.  ~43 liters.  ~$3.00 each at time of post with glue and staples.  5mm hardwood utility board $10.00 @ Lowes.

http://bigthicketbees.com/?page_id=502

« Last Edit: February 02, 2013, 12:48:59 am by duck »

Offline Robo

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2013, 08:48:36 am »
Nice,  I'll be interested in seeing how they hold up in the weather.   The 5mm stuff seems to be the weak link in my swarm traps (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,31604.msg257257.html#msg257257) as far as de-lamination goes
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison



Offline duck

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2013, 09:05:47 am »
we get 40"+ rain a year, Ive been using this "utility board" for a while now for lids and inner covers.  Of course all of it is either covered in aluminum flashing or edges inside pine frame.    It used to be luan that they sold at lowes, not it says "hardwood utility panel".  These will be painted with exterior latex two coats.  Ive also thought about using epoxy resin to paint the outsides as I used to do that with mdf and other enclosures to water proof them.  When you put the resin on, it soaks into the wood a few mm.  I think the exterior latex is fine though.  If they last a season at 3.00 (including glue, paint, and staples), Im happy with that.  Ill put a foam seal around the plywood lids which screw down into the frame.  I still need to add the hangers.

Offline Robo

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2013, 09:16:36 am »
I've put 2 coats of primer followed by two coats of exterior latex on mine and most of them last the season.

Make sure you put a real strong hanger on them.   Don't under estimate the weight of a swarm, especially if they stay in there a couple weeks.   Using 3/8" plywood, I have had a few become very "fragile" to handle because of the weight and mine are only 5 frame.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2013, 11:15:10 am by Robo »
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison



Offline Frantz

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2013, 10:53:07 am »
Very nice, looking forward to the sheet layout info!
Thanks so much!
Don't be yourself, "Be the man you would want your daughters to marry!!"

Offline duck

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2013, 12:39:42 am »
http://bigthicketbees.com/?page_id=502

click pics; then right click; save

Offline saperica

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2013, 07:22:00 pm »
nice job

Offline duck

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2013, 09:25:39 pm »
btw, the only materials im buying with these are the sheets of ply, staples, and glue.  The frame and top trim Im ripping on the saw from pallets.   Every time I see a pallet discarded somewhere it goes into the back of the truck.  Pallet = $$$$

Offline capt44

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Re: 8 Frame Swarm Trap, 5mm Panel
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2013, 12:11:20 pm »
I am using a 6 frame Nuc as Swarm Traps.
I find the bees like a larger volume.
Richard Vardaman (capt44)