Building Frames
This past weekend, I received more hand-me-down tools; an old air compressor. After a long, entertaining trip to Northern Tool, I was the proud owner of a brand new pneumatic stapler. I chose a model that could do 1/4″ to 1″ staples, mostly because it was the only stapler they had. They had a brad nailer, but staples seemed like the better option for putting together frames. When I need to build more hives, I may buy a brad nailer.
I had purchased 100 unassembled, medium frames with wedged top and grooved bottoms. The local Brushy Mountain seller did not have any grooved tops in stock. The wedges will work well enough for foundationless frames. The groove spacing is 1/8″ and I have not been able to find any stock wood pieces with that depth. I found 1/4″ craft wood that I can rip in to strips and hold in place with glue and the wedge cleat.
The stapler allowed me to quickly build 49 frames without using a jig. I had to stop there since I ran out of side pieces (only 1 left). It turned out that both the seller and I made an error when I purchased the frames. I only received 1 bundle of side pieces containing 100 and every frame requires 2 side pieces. I cannot account for the odd side piece. I’m not sure if it was lost while I was building or if it was never in the bundle. I have no idea, so it will serve as a template for when I make my own frames in the future. I’ve already spoken with the seller and can pick up the missing bundle of side pieces when I’m in the area.
Easy Frame Building Steps:
- Place the top piece on a flat surface with the top of it facing down.
- Hold 2 side pieces together and apply a small amount of glue to the top and bottom notches.
- Attach each side piece to the top piece (larger notch).
- Slide the bottom piece (groove facing down) so it is securely attached to the side pieces.
- Put a 1″ staple down in to each of the side pieces to secure the bottom piece.
- Flip the frame so it is right side up and put a 1″ staple down through the top piece in to the sides.
- Rotate the frame so its top is facing left. Put a 1″ staple in to the side piece, parallel to the top piece, right where it meets the top. The staple should be off centered so it only goes through the wedge side of the top piece. Remember, you need to break off the wedge.