Things You'll Need
Instructions
Measure and cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood to 22 inches by 1 7/8 inches and another piece to 16 1/4 inches by 1 7/8 inches for the base of the hive box. Use the router fitted with a 3/8-inch bit to make a slot running along the middle of each board.
Position the boards so that the slotted sides are facing inward with the longer boards placed at both ends of the short board. Place a bead of glue along the edges of the corner boards, hold the boards together and secure them together with screws.
Measure and cut a square of plywood 15 1/2 inches by 21 1/4 inches and slide it into the routered slots.
Construct the deep hive body. Cut two pieces of plywood to 19 7/8 inches by 9 5/8 inches. Cut two more pieces to 16 1/4 inches by 9 5/8 inches. Glue and screw the corners together, as was done with the bottom board. Use some smaller scrap lumber to make handles on the side. Glue and screw these into place.
Build the honey super. Cut two boards to 19 7/8 inches by 6 5/8 inches and two boards to 16 1/4 inches by 6 5/8 inches. Glue and screw corners together. Add two more handles made from scrap lumber.
Make the shallow super. Cut two pieces of lumber to 19 7/8 inches by 6 11/16 inches and two others to 16 1/4 inches by 6 11/16 inches. Cut pieces for handles. Glue and screw the pieces together.
Build the inner cover. Cut two pieces of wood to 19 7/8 inches by 5/8 inches and two more to 16 1/4 inches by 5/8 inches. Cut a plywood square to cover this frame. Glue and screw the corners together, add the plywood and glue and screw it into place. Drill a 3 1/2-inch hole in the center.
Make the outer cover. Cut two pieces of wood to 20 1/4 inches by 1 1/2 inches and two more to 16 5/8 inches by 1 1/2 inches. Glue and screw this frame together. This is the inner portion of the outer cover. Cut four additional pieces of wood, two to 21 3/4 inches by 2 1/4 inches and two to 18 1/8 inches by 2 1/4 inches. Assemble the outer frame with glue and screws. Cut a plywood square to cover the outer frame and secure it into place. Lay this piece upside down and install the inner frame and secure it into place.
Cut a piece of tin to cover the top of the outer cover. The tin should cover the sides as well as the top of the outer cover. Use nails and a hammer to secure it.