Now that we have completed the process of building the Hive Box, Frames, Bottom Board, and In Hive Feeder, we are almost finished with our beehive made completely out of scrap pallet wood! Today we will be showing you how to make the bee hive top and soon we will have a full wrap up post showing the whole process and completed hive. But for now, let’s make the top…

The Plans

Lumber Needed

We planed down our pallet wood and glued it together to make the lumber seen here. If you look back at the other posts in the series you will see this process done. Of course this can be made from store bought lumber using the same directions below if you choose.

(2) - 19 5/8” x 2 ¾” x 1 ½”
(2) - 24” x 12” x ½”
(2) - 16 7/8” x 6 ½” x 1 ½”

The Process

First on the boards that are 19 5/8” long set your table saw fence to 2 ¾” and tilt your blade to 28 degrees. Rip both pieces.

Next set up a ½” dado blade and move the fence 1” off the blade. Raise the dado blade 3/8” up. Run your board through with the 2” side against the fence.

Then on the 16 7/8” board set up your ½” dado blade and raise to ¾” up. Set the fence 1” off the blade, make successive passes until you have removed 1 ½” - as shown in the image.

Next lower the dado blade to 3/8” up and pass it though on the long side of the board.

Finally make 62 degree cut from the center point. Easy way to accomplish this is to make a center mark on the 16 7/8” side and then make a mark 2” up on the opposite side. Draw a line between the two points and that’s your cut line.

For the roof piece set your blade at 28 degrees and set your fence 12” off the blade. Rip each piece, make sure the nicer face is staying 12” wide – this will be the outside surface of the roof.

Then we simply glue the side walls together and once dried add your roof pieces, stapling to add stability and strength.

Next using some recycled screen material, we stapled it to the interior of the roof box and filled it with pine shavings. This adds additional insulation for the bees; keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer months.

bee top 5.jpg