CAUTION: This build requires use of power tools. Please read all instructions before starting the build.
MATERIALS
· One 8 foot 2x4 (if you plan on building several, know that four 2x4’s will make five bottom boards)
· Eight 2.5”-3” length wood screws
· 1/8” hardware cloth (enough to create the desired number of bottom boards)
· Staples
· Quality wood glue (I prefer Tight Bond II)
· Cold beverage of choice
· Radio tuned to 102.5 (107.9 is an acceptable alternative)
TOOLS
· Drill with 7/64 drill bit and phillips screw driver bit
· Table Saw
· Miter saw or circular saw
· Hammer
· Ruler /tape measure
· Pneumatic (air) stapler
· Safety glasses
This build takes approximately 30 minutes to complete one bottom board. However, if you build several at once and are able to complete each step for all bottom boards at once, the build is much faster per bottom board.
STEP 1
Cut 2x4 into following pieces: 2x 13” pieces, 2x 21” pieces (you are left with an extra length of 2x4 that can be used for an additional bottom board)
STEP 2
Using a table saw, cut a 3/8” thick (or the thickness of an entrance feeder if you use one) piece from the top edge of both long pieces and one short piece
STEP 3
Cut an 1/8” thick piece from the other short piece.
You are left with the following.
STEP 4
Cut a .75” high dado the thickness of the blade along the top edge of both long pieces and one short piece. Cut the same dado on the side edge of the short piece.
You are left with the following.
STEP 5
Pre-drill pilot holes for your wood screws. The following picture best describes the placement. Make sure the holes are drilled in the location that the boards will be attached in the following steps.
OPTIONAL STEP
At this point you can cut a dado on the inside edge of 3 of the pieces to add a slat of wood to make it a solid bottom board during the winter if you use one. I personally skip this step as I use screened bottom boards all year. It is entirely up to you.
STEP 6
Insert wood screws and allow them to poke through partially on the other side. This will make things easier when it is time to attach them. (In the following picture you will see that the screws are placed opposite of each other in reference to the .75” wide dado that you cut earlier)
STEP 7
Add plenty of wood glue to the end of a short piece. Attach a long piece and a short piece using the wood screws that you started. Pay attention to the following pictures for proper orientation. You will align the dado areas between the two boards. Since you allowed the wood screws to poke through the board a tad, you can align the boards and use a hammer to drive the ends of the wood screws into the board. This makes starting the screws while keeping the boards aligned easier.
Once completed it should look like this. Take note of the orientation of the boards and how they fit together. You will notice one of the short boards is in a different orientation than the rest. This will make the landing board at the entrance.
STEP 8
Cut out a piece of 1/8” hardware cloth to fit the now created bottom board just inside the dado area that you cut out in the beginning. Using staples of your choice (what is pictured are the staples of my choice as I use them for several things) attach the hardware cloth to the bottom board, stapling inside the dado area.
STEP 9
Apply wood glue to the top edge around the bottom board. Attach the strips of wood you cut out earlier using your stapler. Use the 1/8” strip of wood for the entrance area. You will align the strips of wood as if they were not cut out in the first place. This creates the hive body height required to allow for the entrance. This also covers the edge of the hardware cloth for even more durability.
It should look like this when you are finished.
At this step, prior to allowing the wood glue to dry, check the bottom board to make sure it is level. Due to the poor wood selection at many lumber supply stores, do not be surprised if it is not. If the bottom board is not level, you can place it upside down on top of a straight hive body and place large bricks/blocks on all four corners. I usually use straps to hold it to the hive body. It is allowed to fully dry at that point prior to moving on to the next step.
STEP 10
Paint using a good light colored outdoor paint as is found many times in the “oops” section of your local hardware or paint store.
CONGRATS! You have completed this super simple and cheap screened bottom board. I have used these for about 3 years now and have not seen any issues. If built correctly and quality materials are used, especially quality wood glue, it “should” last several years of use.
If you have any questions over this build feel free to email us.
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