Shopsmith Forums

It sounds like a few people here might be interested so I'll get us started.

You will need a router bit, I will be using a core box bit but you could substitute a round nose bit. The width of cut needs to be 3/8" and it will need to be able to cut 5/16" deep.

Shank size depends on what router or chuck you have.

This size bit can be had for about $11 at places like mlcswoodworking.com. The 1/4" shank is part number 6416 or the 1/2" shank 8716. Either of these have a large diameter of 3/8" and a carbide height of 3/8". Shipping is free.

Feel free to find a similar bit where ever you buy bits.

I will be using pine boards for mine. If you have other wood on hand feel free to use it. Do not use treated wood. You will need 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 widths and the length will be determined when I finish the design. If you want a head start I will guess that a 6 foot length will work for the 1 x 6 and maybe a 4 foot for the 1 x 8. If you want to make it larger of course you will need more wood.

I will be using my router table but if you want to use your shopsmith for the routing operation make sure you have the router chuck in a size that matches the bit you have or get.

The basic design is looking like this:
I've seen the holes the other way round too so if you like that better you simply make it that way.

Each of the racks looks like this:
As I mentioned before I'm going for a seven high arrangement but if you want to make more or less again it isn't a problem but you will have to size the box to fit.

Here is an idea of the dimensions for the rack. Don't fret it is easier to do then it might look.
I'm going to stop at this point and let you reflect on what you are seeing. I will resume my sketchup work tomorrow and hope to finish a design sometime tomorrow.

Ed

Edit to change the length requirement of the 1 x 6 from 8 feet to 6 feet.

Did I ever tell you guys about the girl I dated? Her name was Polly.

Polly Nader.

I don't want to wax poetic, but she was bee-utiful.

I treated her like a Queen, and always called her honey.

Then one day, I got really buzzed and said some things that stung.

I tried to get her flowers to make up for it, but she said to mind my own beeswax.

I was so distraught, I just wanted to run away and hive.

No pun intended
She was bee-utiful.

my dad is a retired beekeeper. at one time he had over 1200 hives
when I lived with my folks, I spent every spring and summer working the bees
I even got him to hire a few of my friend from school to help out.
very interesting little critters.
maybe I'll make one of these for him. just for grins and giggles.

I am super excited about this project. Thanks for offering to take us along with you, Ed!

I have finished the design and while I might tweak it a little yet I think the wood requirements are done. You will have a few piece left over but scrap is only wood you haven't found a use for yet.

Since it is possible to find wood that may have defects that will need to be cut out I will for now assume that you can select pieces that are use able enough for a bee house or that you buy some extra wood so you can end up with such good wood as is needed. I will be shopping for the wood in the next couple of days so I will show you what I found if that helps.
This will be the general cutting done with just the major dimensions shown.

Ed

I just updated the design and added a few more dimensions.

Could any of you interested in making this have any problem using these drawings to make this? There will be more verbiage and pictures as we go but I just wanted to make sure we have not lost anyone already.
I might be going wood shopping tonight so we are getting close to getting some wood cut.

Ed

Nice work so far. Measurements and plans are easy to follow.

Great to see this come up again.
Coincidently I started building a mason bee house myself this last weekend after not getting to it for several years.
Still a work in progress.
Here are a couple of photos

Even I can understand it, Ed, so it must be OK so far.