DIY Warre bee hive?

[Stan79]

Hi folks,

Has anyone on here built their own Warre hive?

I've found numerous websites with detailed plans but am struggling to source appropriate sized wood that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...

Any ideas? I'm wondering whether old scaffolding boards might be an option?

Many thanks in advance,

Stan

[mothhawk]

What about old pallets? Boxes made of scaffolding boards would be very heavy to lift I think, and pallets are often free.

Apis Abeja Abelha Abeille Ape Bee Biene Káva: Warré hives from pallets

[Stan79]

Thank you very much for the link and the suggestion.

I was under the impression that the wall thickness should be between 20mm and 24mm to provide insulation so thought pallets wouldn't be thick enough. As i understand it, the weight of the wood also needs to be quite substantial to stop it being blown over?!?!

[planetologist]

I did some skip diving and ended up with free hives. I wouldn't get too hung up about thickness. I kept the internal dimensions constant and adjusted the external dimensions to the thickness of the walls I found.

[Stan79]

Thanks - and your hives are working well?

[alldigging]

Nic made me a bait box out of scaff. boards. It's really heavy. But it worked. The lid is made of plywood I think though.

[Madasafish]

I made mine from pallets. Not a success pallets warp .

I also found warres no use in our cold climate...

[Stan79]

Thinking i'm going to try and short Warre with only two boxes. Will be making it out of one scaffolding plank which i can get for £15 new... I reckon that should make it small enough, heavy enough and thick enough to withstand the elements, not warp and keep the heat in, in the summer.

Fingers crossed!

[Snoop Puss]

If you've got a bit of money, you could have a look at this lot

Massivholz-Tischler - Warr Beute, kompl., nach J.M. Frrs / J. C. Guillaume M8002

Much cheaper than Thornes and the like and apparently well made. Delivery to Spain is around 25 euros if I recall rightly.

Info and links on Warré beekeeping here:
David Heaf's beekeeping pages