Shopsmith Forums

The new design is here. All it needs is some sanding, assembly and finish.

The capacity has grown, 84 holes this time. The design is scalable, either longer or wider or I guess both.

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The side profile.

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And now the front/rear. My wife was concerned that since this is going to be in the front yard we might not want it to look like what it is. I think this will do nicely to take care of this issue.

I will paint the hole black, going to be interesting to see what the birds make of it.

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So now it looks like a woodworker made it, the capacity has increased and it should be pretty much incognito to passers by.

Should you want to make one now is the time of year to do so.

Ed

Started the glue up on the bee box. Started by gluing the columns together, just glue and clamps.

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Set that aside while I did some other things and came back to it late in the afternoon. Added the bottom and back, just screws this time.

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Top was next, also just screws.

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The top cap was glued on so there are no holes for water to set in. This is the bee side.

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Last but not least is the faux bird house side.

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When it comes out of clamps it will be ready to finish. Tomorrow is too booked up to finish this but perhaps on Thursday.

Ed

For those of you who remember this post I though today would be a good time to give an update on what it looks like out in the front yard.

Remember the idea is to have it look like a bird house while in reality it is for mason bees. I think it has come out doing that pretty well. At least the birds are confused........

I might make another one for the back yard this fall. I think I can raise the hole count on the next one, maybe near double what I now have in about the same space.

Anyway here are some fresh pictures.

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Ed

Some have checked it out but I can't tell if any have taken an apartment yet.

Ed

beeg wrote:NICE looking bee box ya have. ANY occupants yet?

Well done.

I've been meaning to build one of these. Native bees are just about the only kind I have in my garden. I plant things specifically for them.

Great work.....

I'm askared o bees.... almost a phobia level fear.
I won't bee makin' one any time soon.

The mason bees are out and about so it was time to take the house apart for clean up. Didn't have the camera with me and besides there was not much to see.

Only about a dozen holes looked like they were used and of that there were no "body" count meaning they either did what nature intended or abandon the hole without it being used. I can't tell which.

I cleaned all the holed out just to be sure the rooms were all ready again. The one side comes off so you can rod them out. The used rooms were all on the bottom end, not sure what that means.

I was thinking perhaps the box was to high so I lowered it when I put it back out. Have to see how this next year goes. I might have to find another place for it all together, or build a second one to put in another location.
Anyway here is another season to test the new height.

Ed