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Rational Bee Hive Roof

The Grain should run along the longest dimension of any part. Cutting of parts (all dimensions in mm).

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

Cutting of parts (all dimensions in mm).

Qty	Length	Width	Thickness	Material	Usage
1	460	460	9	Exterior Plywood	Lower Panel
1	460	460	4	Exterior Ply or Hardboard	Top Panel
2	460	50	18	Pine	Long sides of rim
2	436	50	18	Pine	Other rim parts
1	461	461	10	Spangled Galvanized	Sheet Metal Cover
1	424	424	50	Expanded Polystyrene Foam	Insulation

If you wish to use this item in a system that uses bottom bee space, then add the Rim Parts. Use without the rim if top bee space is required. Note 1. 9 mm plywood is specified for the lower surface owing to it's greater rigidity and freedom from warping. This durability outweighs the small cost saving of using thinner material. Assemble using a waterproof PVA type glue using nails or screws. The version as drawn above is simple to make and very durable. If petroleum jelly is used on the on the main panel and linseed oil or outdoor quality enamel paint is used on the outer edges, the item will give many years of good service.

If you wish to use this item in a system that uses bottom bee space, then add the Rim Parts.

Use without the rim if top bee space is required.

Note 1.
9 mm plywood is specified for the lower surface owing to it's greater rigidity and freedom from warping. This durability outweighs the small cost saving of using thinner material.

Assemble using a waterproof PVA type glue using nails or screws.

The version as drawn above is simple to make and very durable. If petroleum jelly is used on the on the main panel and linseed oil or outdoor quality enamel paint is used on the outer edges, the item will give many years of good service.

The roof is fitted to the top of the hive using "Z" springs to hold it firmly in place.

Many of the original prototypes of this type of roof were made using thin plywood or hardboard (Masonite) as the undersurface. All of those with thin plywood, sagged in the centre, reducing the bee space above the frame top bars, with consequent brace comb aggregation. Hence the comment about the 9 mm thickness, which many might think was overkill. Although the hardboard that was used is only about 4 mm thickness, many of the original ones are still in use and are flat, whereas some others that appeared to be identical material sagged like the thin plywood and have since been replaced with 9 mm ply.

Writing date... Unknown, Revised... 14 August 2001, Revised... 23 May 2002, Upgraded... 01 December 2005,