Build Your Own Beekeeping Equipment: How to Construct 8- & 10-Frame Hives; Top Bar, Nuc & Demo Hives; Feeders, Swarm Catchers & More

by Tony Pisano

Beekeeping equipment is expensive, but it's easy to make your own! Tony Pisano's step-by-step illustrated instructions show you how to build everything you need, including hive bodies, supers, covers, hive stands, frames, swarm catchers, feeders, and more. You can choose among different hive styles, and many of the 35 projects can be made using hand tools.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2013

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish it had a bit more narrative, but it's still a solid book of plans

[Jiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good beginner hive building book.

I found it a bit repetitious as many of the plans and instructions are the same as for others - instead of just a different drawing, plan and measurements, the descriptions are often repeated. It just makes the book longer which it does not need to be.

Good basic measurements and instructions for many or most items you will need to build a beehive.

I was a bit disappointed that there were no plans or measurements for making actual frames for the hives. With a lot of scrap wood left from making the boxes, tops, bottoms and spacers, if would have been very useful to have plans, measurements and details on how to make your own frames. You usually need 2 brood boxes and 1-2 supers which means you will need 30-40 frames and good instructions for making them would have been helpful.

[Chris W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I built a really nice beehive and learned afew new tricks in woodworking. It was a bit intimidating at first, but the author explains terminology and does a great job of explaining how it should look.

[Chantille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed instructions but not a lot of information about bees or their homes. Great for someone who already knows what everything is and just wants building plans.

[The Phantom Of The Apiary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to build from

I like most of the plans here. Instructions are clear, although it really speaks to someone who has some functional level of woodworking skills.

If I felt anything were lacking, it would be better explanations as to what the parts are used for, why make them, how do they help?

Very good book that I recommend to the participants in my beekeeping classes.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read more to understand the ins and outs of the hive, than to build one myself. I will probably buy my own premade, but I learned aka lot about structure and layout options.

[Mark Gostkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acceptable, however the top bar hive design is a basic one that overlooks key details.

[goldslippersandpinkheels · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really clear book that tells you exactly how to make your own beehive.