Shopsmith Forums

Another good idea!

rpd wrote:An alternate method to make the hand holds would be to cut a short slot with a dado blade.

In the photo linked to below the second super from the top in the front row center hive has that type of handle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beehives.jpg

I wonder if the beveled side of the finger holds are to help prevent picking them up upside down?

Not having done this myself, it seems to me there needs to be multiple angles borings to make the hand hold wide enough to fit a lifting hand. Then the chisel cleanup comes in. This will make the handle top perpendicular to side - or even sloped upward. Of course, the largest forstner bit available should be used along with a speed reducer.

JPG....If one were to pick up a beehive upside down then 10 frames (which are held in by gravity) would fall to the ground. About 30,000 newly pissed off worker bees would let you know you done bad. One would remember that lesson. There ain't nuthin like negative reinforcement to drive a point home (pun intended). But seriously, I know beekeepers who have assembled boxes with 1 or more sides upside down as they weren't paying attention when the assembled them. Useful only for firewood at that point.

rick42_98 wrote: . . . But seriously, I know beekeepers who have assembled boxes with 1 or more sides upside down as they weren't paying attention when the assembled them. Useful only for firewood at that point.

That would seem to be a reason for offsetting the finger joints(top to bottom).

I assume there is a cleat or something(that rabbet maybe) to provide a shelf on which to hang the frames. I also assume there is one on the top only. So maybe the bevel merely prevents one from briefly setting it down upside down prior to adding the frames???????