Nuc box designs

[EmsE]

I've looked on the SBA website & a few others to find some designs for nuc boxes but can only find designs for hives. I was thinking of making a 4 framed nuc box (or 2 ) and think I have an idea for dimensions, but would really appreciate some advice before I waste a lot of my time (takes me forever to saw through wood) making one the wrong size.

I was thinking that my inside dimensions need to be 371mmx150mm x 225mm? Would it need to be a bit deeper if the floor board is being nailed flat to the box? The 2 short sides will need to have space at the top for the long lugs on the frames. Does it matter what type of wood I use as these are used for a short period of time- I have an old wall unit to recycle.

[gavin]

Hi Ems

Martin Adams posted his drawings on the BBKA forum and they seem well-regarded. I was planning to use them but never quite got around to it. You can buy the plastic wheel thing in Thornes and other suppliers have them too.

The thread is here (http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=23) and to see it you'll need to register if you haven't already done so.

... and there are pictures of nuc construction in progress here (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h187/adamsm/Nucs/?start=all), where there is also a 'cutting sheet'. I can probably link directly to his image of the drawings:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h187/adamsm/Nucs/Nucs12mmPly.jpg

If you copy and paste the image into some image software you can print it at a better magnification, or just pick it up from here:

http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h187/adamsm/Nucs/?action=view&current=Nucs12mmPly.jpg

cheers

Gavin

[Jon]

If you want something cheap and cheerful, correx does to job.
I made 15 of these last summer. It takes about 60-90 minutes to make each box.
I have ten nucs overwintering in these at the moment.

512 513


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LPh5K_XTxQ

[EmsE]

Hi Gavin, Those plans are great, thank you. (sending to my dad with a big hint:o)

Hi Jon, I love how straight forward that looks- I'm convinced that I could manage not to mess that up too much. Is it ok ventilation wise? I don't have any correx but will look out for it.

[Calum]

Hi,
while we are on the subject of saving money I am looking for a spec for a transformer for embedding frame wire into foundation. In the Thornes and Sweinty they are about 50 Pounds. from an electrical supplier a transformer the like costs 20. The question is what output for the transformer?
I have a really old one - 12V AC 2 Amp (24Watt).
Does it matter if it is AC or would DC output also be fine? I also have seen 4 amp ones (also 12V or 18V).
What is your transformer spec?

[chris]

Hi Calum. This doesn't answer your question, but it may just help avoid buying. Back in the bad old days when I used foundation, I used an old car battery charger.

[GRIZZLY]

Just use an old car 12v battery.you only need to touch the ends of the wire momentarily to embed.Too long and you will melt right thro,.

[Jon]

Is it ok ventilation wise? I don't have any correx but will look out for it.

In the winter you will get condensation. I punch half a dozen holes in the floor to let it drain away.
Inside, there is a two inch gap above the frames and I put a rectangle of 50mm polytryrence there. Apart from keeping heat in, this means that condensation forms on the colder side walls and runs down to the floor rather than forming on the inside cover and dripping on the bees.

[Jon]

The nucs are getting a testing at the moment. We have had 6-8 inches of snow since teatime yesterday and it is still falling.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpOpOBSEsl4

[Calum]

Chris & Grizzly, thanks for the advice, I'll do just that!

[Bumble]

If you want something cheap and cheerful, correx does to job.
I made 15 of these last summer. It takes about 60-90 minutes to make each box.

Could you explain how you made the frame rests please.

[Jon]

Two pieces of polystyrene cut to size faced with correx and held together with gaffer tape.
Make the front face a few mm higher than the block so that the frame rests on it.
You could use a block of wood or several rectangles of correx taped together if you don't have polystyrene. I just use what is available.
I overwintered several of these.

I have changed the design a bit as well to add an open mesh floor.
I just cut away most of the floor leaving a lip of about an inch which supports a piece of mesh cut to size (18 inches by 10).

There is another thread (http://www.sbai.org.uk/sbai_forum/showthread.php?204-price-of-a-home-made-nuc&highlight=correx) here somewhere about making these and some stuff in the blog section (http://www.sbai.org.uk/sbai_forum/entry.php?90-Insulate-it-on-up-there-boss!).

[Bumble]

Thank you, that will give me something to work on once I've worked out what the measurements should be.

[Jon]

I start with a piece of correx 32 inches by 40.
The floor is 18 by 10 and the sides are 11 " high.

[Bumble]

Would that be internal measurements, or doesn't it make any difference once it's been scored and folded?

Also, is this for Nationals? If so, it will give me an idea of proportions because your frames will be 17inches long, by ??. Would I be wrong in guessing that the width would suit any hive type, as long as it's using Hoffman frames?

Our Langstroth frames are a 19 inches by 11 1/4 deep, with short lugs that don't give a lot of leeway for careless sizing of frame rests.

My supply of correx advertising boards are a bit smaller than the ones you use, so will probably need a lot of duct tape and a bit of overlapping for strength. Nothing lost though, if they don't work, but I think you can tell that I don't do a lot of DIY.