If you enjoy woodworking, you can save money and have fun making your own bee hives. This printed book teaches you to make bee hives with a table saw using regular and dado blades.  The book covers bottom boards, shallow, medium and deep supers, inner covers, telescoping outer covers and Hoffman style frames. Plans are included for a simple finger jointing jig, plus other jigs to help efficiently cut multiple parts. 8 1/2" x 11". 23 pages.

Note: Because 8 and 10 frame hives differ mostly in width, this book contains similar information to Making the Eight Frame Hive.

Nucleus or "nuc" hives are used for queen rearing or splitting large colonies into two or more smaller colonies. While ordinary hive bodies can be altered to house nucleus colonies, nuc hives are more convenient and easier to handle. This printed book includes directions and dimensions for making 3, 4, and 5 frame nucs with rabbeted corners.
13 pages, 8 1/2" x11".

This is a book of printed plans. The eight frame hive was the standard hive at the beginning of the 20th century, especially for comb honey production.  The 8 frame hive never quite died out and while difficult to find today, it's still preferred by many beekeepers because the smaller size is lighter and easier to handle. Plans include all parts of the hive- the bottom board, supers, Hoffman style frames and inner cover. The standard telescoping cover is included, plus the historic Excelsior cover. A simple finger jointing jig, as well as other jigs to facilitate making multiple parts are included.  24 pages, 8 1/2" x 11".

Note: Because 8 and 10 frame hives differ mostly in width, this book contains similar information to Bee Hive Construction.

Observation hives offer a window into the life of bees. In this design one side looks just like the outside of a real bee hive (that's what it's made from) while the other side hums with the secret mysteries of colony life. By adding holes for ventilation and a feeder, the hive can also be modified for indoor demonstrations.

The plain functionalism of Shaker furniture inspired this bee hive table. A shallow super serves as the apron. Easy to make, it requires at most a couple evenings to complete.

$8.00 includes shipping.

This country primitive bee hive cupboard makes a fine jelly cupboard, book case, telephone or light stand. Make it as a gift for a long suffering spouse. Construction is simple and straightforward.

One hundred years ago, beekeepers commonly used Excelsior covers on their hives. As time and conditions change, it is worth reevaluating old equipment styles. The excelsior cover gives your hives a quaint old-fashioned look. It is easier to make than a telescoping cover and doesn't require an inner cover.

This book discusses the problem of swarming, and offers you help to reclaim lost swarms, as well as attract additional swarms to your apiary.  It includes plans to make a simplified Langstroth Bait Hive that will work with other standard hives.  There are also directions on choosing a site for it, and instructions on how to attract swarms to your bait hives.