Version with tray Roger Patterson Version		"A-Z" INDEX &   SEARCH Open Mesh Floor to suit British National Bee Hive In America they call this a "Screened Bottom Board"

The Grain should run along the longest dimension of any part. Dimensions in millimetres.

Cut all seven parts to 460 mm length before the forming joints.

22 mm square stock is available from some woodworker's supply shops. Some other DIY chains have 21 mm square material that can be used with appropriate adjustments to the joint dimensions and reducing the entrance block rebate to 2 mm.

I have indicated galvanised 8 mesh 450 mm square, but other metal screens will suit... providing the mesh is not large enough to admit bees or wasps.

The under rim should be made first, gluing and screwing the corners. Ensure that the frame is square and then place between sheets of melamine faced particle board with a weight on top to ensure that it remains flat while the glue dries (leave overnight).

The mesh should be stapled in each corner and along the exposed front edge leaving 5 mm all round,
then the upper rim parts are added using 38 mm Csk twinthread woodscrews through the bottom rim into the top parts so that the heads of the countersunk screws are underneath.

An entrance block of 421 mm x 21 mm x 21 mm (Thorne's size) will suit the 22 mm timber version or if 21 mm stock is used the entrance block needs planing down to 20 mm square to suit.

The version as drawn above is simple to construct. If petroleum jelly is used on the upper surface of the top rim and linseed oil is used on the other wooden parts, (take care that the linseed oil does not block any of the holes in the mesh panel, as it will dry to a rubbery consistency).

A description of how and why these items are used is given by Ken Hoare in the document Open Mesh Floors.

Written... Autumn 2000, Revised... 20 February 2002, Upgraded... 25 May 2005, Revised... 07 August 2007,