Comments on: Barrel Top Bar Hive http://robo.bushkillfarms.com Trial and Tribulations of a Hobby Beekeeper! Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:48:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: William Stewart http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2834 William Stewart Tue, 25 May 2010 15:53:36 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2834 Many thanks. I will let you know how it goes. You've been an unbelievable help. I have a friend just entering the arena with TBHs. Will let him know of this great site. Many thanks. I will let you know how it goes. You’ve been an unbelievable help. I have a friend just entering the arena with TBHs. Will let him know of this great site.

]]> By: Robo http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2833 Robo Tue, 25 May 2010 13:52:28 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2833 <strong>Maybe a 3/4-1? sheet of insulation between the roof and bars?</strong> I was more concerned with the sides of the sink getting hot. The insulation on the top bars wouldn't hurt, but I'm not sure it is needed. Between the wooden top bars and the air space left by the corrugations in the metal roof, I never had any heat issue. <strong>Single 1? entrance hole enough? </strong> It is probably sufficient, but not ideal. There will probably be some heavy congestion on nice days. More would probably be better, but I know stainless isn't the easiest to cut either. Maybe a 3/4-1? sheet of insulation between the roof and bars?
I was more concerned with the sides of the sink getting hot. The insulation on the top bars wouldn’t hurt, but I’m not sure it is needed. Between the wooden top bars and the air space left by the corrugations in the metal roof, I never had any heat issue.

Single 1? entrance hole enough?
It is probably sufficient, but not ideal. There will probably be some heavy congestion on nice days. More would probably be better, but I know stainless isn’t the easiest to cut either.

]]> By: William Stewart http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2830 William Stewart Mon, 24 May 2010 16:47:25 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2830 I would use the sheathing insulation between the roof and bars if you agree it is a reasonable plan. I would use the sheathing insulation between the roof and bars if you agree it is a reasonable plan.

]]> By: William Stewart http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2829 William Stewart Mon, 24 May 2010 16:39:40 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2829 Robo; Thanks so much. I checked the divider and it is actually "two barrel halves" bolted end to end. I guess I could cut and weld but this gets into a bigger mess than it is worth. I have just completed making a wood Kenyan TBH. I believe I will try this "sink" with a coat of white paint and corrugated roof. I have shade available. Maybe a 3/4-1" sheet of insulation between the roof and bars? I have 3 Langstrouth hives 2 yrs old and yet to taste honey but have not given up hope. One hive appears to be threatening to swarm and would love to coax the swarm into a TBH. I will add a landing board on both sides. Single 1" entrance hole enough? Truly grateful for your prompt response. Robo;
Thanks so much. I checked the divider and it is actually “two barrel halves” bolted end to end. I guess I could cut and weld but this gets into a bigger mess than it is worth. I have just completed making a wood Kenyan TBH. I believe I will try this “sink” with a coat of white paint and corrugated roof. I have shade available. Maybe a 3/4-1″ sheet of insulation between the roof and bars? I have 3 Langstrouth hives 2 yrs old and yet to taste honey but have not given up hope. One hive appears to be threatening to swarm and would love to coax the swarm into a TBH. I will add a landing board on both sides. Single 1″ entrance hole enough? Truly grateful for your prompt response.

]]> By: Robo http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2828 Robo Mon, 24 May 2010 16:06:56 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2828 <strong>Does this sound like a potential TBH? Are the dimensions satifactory?</strong> Possibly. The width and height seem fine, the 2 1/2 ft depth may make it a little small. You'll just have to keep an eye on it and harvest sooner if needed. Another thing to consider is the sun and metal heating up. I would think you want to keep it out of the sun and/or provide some type on insulating material, perhaps as simple as paint if you can get it to stick. <strong> Should I cap the nipples and drill 1/4? holes for continued use as a drain and drill holes in each end for an entrance? </strong> You could cap them or just put screen across them, or just leave them. You definitely want some type of drainage holes. I would recommend creating an entrance on the side with some type of wood alighting board. I think the bees would have a rough time landing/walking on a vertical stainless surface. <strong> Does the roof sit flush with the top bars and side boards.</strong> The top bars sit flush on the support frame and the metal roofing is laid on top with about 6" or so overhang on each side. <a class="noshadow" href="http://www.bushkillfarms.com/gallery2/d/188-1/Picture+004.jpg" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.bushkillfarms.com/gallery2/d/189-2/Picture+004.jpg" alt="Frame holder" /></a> Does this sound like a potential TBH? Are the dimensions satifactory?
Possibly. The width and height seem fine, the 2 1/2 ft depth may make it a little small. You’ll just have to keep an eye on it and harvest sooner if needed. Another thing to consider is the sun and metal heating up. I would think you want to keep it out of the sun and/or provide some type on insulating material, perhaps as simple as paint if you can get it to stick.

Should I cap the nipples and drill 1/4? holes for continued use as a drain and drill holes in each end for an entrance?
You could cap them or just put screen across them, or just leave them. You definitely want some type of drainage holes. I would recommend creating an entrance on the side with some type of wood alighting board. I think the bees would have a rough time landing/walking on a vertical stainless surface.

Does the roof sit flush with the top bars and side boards.
The top bars sit flush on the support frame and the metal roofing is laid on top with about 6″ or so overhang on each side.
Frame holder

]]> By: William Stewart http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2827 William Stewart Mon, 24 May 2010 14:45:23 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2827 I found a stainless steel sink; fairly light and 5ft in length divided in the middle; 19 inches in width, 13 inches deep. It is in the shape of a "half barrel". It is set on metal legs and has 1" threaded nipple in both compartments at the bottom and near the divider that served as drains. Does this sound like a potential TBH? Are the dimensions satifactory? Should I cap the nipples and drill 1/4" holes for continued use as a drain and drill holes in each end for an entrance? One last question (I promise). Does the roof sit flush with the top bars and side boards. Thanks. I do not know how you get the time to answer all these questions so thoroughly. I found a stainless steel sink; fairly light and 5ft in length divided in the middle; 19 inches in width, 13 inches deep. It is in the shape of a “half barrel”. It is set on metal legs and has 1″ threaded nipple in both compartments at the bottom and near the divider that served as drains. Does this sound like a potential TBH? Are the dimensions satifactory? Should I cap the nipples and drill 1/4″ holes for continued use as a drain and drill holes in each end for an entrance? One last question (I promise). Does the roof sit flush with the top bars and side boards. Thanks. I do not know how you get the time to answer all these questions so thoroughly.

]]> By: ottoallen http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2724 ottoallen Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:47:01 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2724 Wow Robo, you are really a cool soul for answering all the emails! God bless! Otto Wow Robo, you are really a cool soul for answering all the emails!
God bless! Otto

]]> By: Robo http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2458 Robo Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:33:57 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2458 No update. I only get 1 to 2 swarms a year, unless you are sitting by the phone waiting, someone else gets them. The swarms I have been getting went into my Warre hives. No update. I only get 1 to 2 swarms a year, unless you are sitting by the phone waiting, someone else gets them. The swarms I have been getting went into my Warre hives.

]]> By: Meadlover http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2457 Meadlover Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:46:15 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2457 Robo, any updates on the barrel hive? Did you end up putting some bees back in there? I love the resourcefullness/improvisation of this idea, and wouldn't mind giving it a try as my 1st attempt at a top bar hive, and since I put myself on a swarm listing I should have a few swarms when we hit our swarm season this spring. Thanks ML Robo,

any updates on the barrel hive?
Did you end up putting some bees back in there?
I love the resourcefullness/improvisation of this idea, and wouldn’t mind giving it a try as my 1st attempt at a top bar hive, and since I put myself on a swarm listing I should have a few swarms when we hit our swarm season this spring.
Thanks

ML

]]> By: MjdTexan http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/barrel-top-bar-hive/comment-page-1/#comment-2411 MjdTexan Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:56:47 +0000 http://bushkillfarms.com/robo/?page_id=9#comment-2411 I dont have any experiance. I am willing to try to do a cut out. By cutout I assume you mean bees on someones property? I am going to build two TBH's this coming Monday after this cold snap has left my area (Houston(ish). I would like to avoid buying the bees that have been around pesticides if at all possible. You've made a good point about that. I dont have any experiance. I am willing to try to do a cut out. By cutout I assume you mean bees on someones property? I am going to build two TBH’s this coming Monday after this cold snap has left my area (Houston(ish). I would like to avoid buying the bees that have been around pesticides if at all possible. You’ve made a good point about that.

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