|
|
G3farms
Queen Bee
 Offline
Gender: 
Posts: 1432
Location: concord, tn
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2009, 07:00:05 PM » |
|
what was intimidating?
looks like they are doing just great to me.
I like the observation window on your hive, did you build it yourself.
G3
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
GaryMinckler
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 242
Location: Hermon NY
|
|
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2009, 07:22:06 PM » |
|
The intimidating part is no experience with a TBH. I built it following a common set of plans and added the viewing window.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Scadsobees
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2009, 11:01:51 PM » |
|
It looks good, beautiful wax! What do you do about the attachments to the sides?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Rick
|
|
|
Cheryl
House Bee
Offline
Gender: 
Posts: 232
Location: Tucson AZ, USA
top bar beekeeper
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2009, 11:11:12 PM » |
|
They look good from my perspective!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
|
|
|
GaryMinckler
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 242
Location: Hermon NY
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2009, 01:56:00 AM » |
|
I don't know what to do about the attachment to the sides. I assume I have to cut them free from any attachment..wont they just reattach it?  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
RyanB
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 63
Location: Lafayette, OR
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2009, 10:43:15 AM » |
|
Yes it looks like they are doing great! If it is a top bar hive, that is alot of attchment to the sides though. Just have to be careful to cut it free.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Currently Fermenting:
Cherry Melomel - 1Gal
Pear Melomel - 1Gal
White Pyment - 1Gal
Root Beer Mead - 1Gal
Mead Cyser - 5Gal
Recently Finished:
Sack Mead - 1Gal, Very Good!
Braggot - 1Gal, Very popular!
Mead Cyser - 1Gal, Wifes Fav!
JAO - 1Gal, Nice, A bit too sweet.
|
|
|
Cheryl
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 232
Location: Tucson AZ, USA
top bar beekeeper
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2009, 01:13:41 PM » |
|
Bees do anchor the combs in a TBH. It's not a big deal, really. If you have room to reach your hand/arm in and cut them free with a knife, do (when working the hive). Otherwise, the perfect hive tool for such attachments is coat-hanger wire end bent at 90 degrees and hammered flat like a blade. Extend it down into the hive, turn the end under the brace comb and slide the wire up and out, cutting the attachments.
They need the brace comb for stability, so don't cut it unless you really need to inspect that comb. They'll reattach it when you're done.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
|
|
|
|
luvin honey
|
|
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2009, 02:47:58 PM » |
|
What beautiful, white and straight combs! Congratulations on a beautiful hive!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
The pedigree of honey
Does not concern the bee;
A clover, any time, to him
Is aristocracy.
---Emily Dickinson
|
|
|
GaryMinckler
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 242
Location: Hermon NY
|
|
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2009, 12:25:19 PM » |
|
Cheryl... coat hanger/hive tool worked great!! Could very well be the BEST tool for this application. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
GaryMinckler
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 242
Location: Hermon NY
|
|
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2009, 01:45:14 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Cheryl
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 232
Location: Tucson AZ, USA
top bar beekeeper
|
|
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2009, 06:11:36 PM » |
|
Ah, now that's beautiful!!!!! And I'm so glad the coat hanger idea works for you!  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
|
|
|
G3farms
Queen Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 1432
Location: concord, tn
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2009, 07:56:28 PM » |
|
That sure is a fine looking bar of comb for sure, looks awfuly fragile though.
I don't think I could do a TBH, I am a little rough sometimes.
G3
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
luvin honey
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2009, 11:22:04 PM » |
|
Ahhhh--I love that picture! I just got done describing in another thread that most favorite sight of a bar of comb the exact shape of the hive.
G3--You would do fine! If a klutz like me can do it, you could. The new comb and the stuck-together combs are fragile, but it's amazing how quickly they toughen up. I suppose, though, if a person is already in the habit of handling foundation frames it might take some getting used to...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
The pedigree of honey
Does not concern the bee;
A clover, any time, to him
Is aristocracy.
---Emily Dickinson
|
|
|
Cheryl
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 232
Location: Tucson AZ, USA
top bar beekeeper
|
|
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2009, 02:14:37 AM » |
|
Most important thing to remember is to not turn a comb sideways to inspect it, like you would with frames -- the comb would break off the bar. There are special ways to handle top-bar combs. It becomes second nature after a while.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
|
|
|
RyanB
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 63
Location: Lafayette, OR
|
|
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2009, 10:35:14 AM » |
|
Look awesome! Love it when they come out like that dontcha!? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Currently Fermenting:
Cherry Melomel - 1Gal
Pear Melomel - 1Gal
White Pyment - 1Gal
Root Beer Mead - 1Gal
Mead Cyser - 5Gal
Recently Finished:
Sack Mead - 1Gal, Very Good!
Braggot - 1Gal, Very popular!
Mead Cyser - 1Gal, Wifes Fav!
JAO - 1Gal, Nice, A bit too sweet.
|
|
|
GaryMinckler
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 242
Location: Hermon NY
|
|
« Reply #16 on: August 25, 2009, 08:02:32 PM » |
|
16 perfectly drawn bars just like the one in the picture...so far. 23 bars all together. If any one is interested in TBH beekeeping don't hesitate to try. My first experience has been inexpensive, quite simple, and VERY interesting.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Cheryl
House Bee
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 232
Location: Tucson AZ, USA
top bar beekeeper
|
|
« Reply #17 on: August 26, 2009, 01:43:52 AM » |
|
I agree!! I wouldn't be able to afford to keep bees at all, if I had to buy hive equipment. I've made a few simple top-bar hives, and I do mean simple; rudimentary. Got bees free by attracting a few swarms. First year, so not a lot of honey (yet), but we do have a little fresh comb on the table now and then. It's a nice perk!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle
|
|
|
|
