Design Criteria

1. Affordability - price competitive with low-cost hives
2. Design for Manufacturing - simplify manufacturing process, use 1/2" bit wherever possible

Design Changes

1. Starting with the Colorado Top Bar
2. Remove the hive legs
3. Lengthen the side walls to nearly 48" - increases hive size for minimal manufacturing time increase.
4. Remove the roof and use a flat roof design
5. Change inside profile cuts to use 1/2" bit
6. Remove the pocket cuts from the sides of the top bars - this is now unnecessary.

Flat Roof

Top Bar Change

Let the top bars sit on top of the side walls for easier access.

Nice - this makes a lot of sense now I see what you're talking about.

Perhaps we don't need an economy version for the Warré, since Economy options lack choice by nature, and a single economy version will keep our workflow more simple. I like how you've got all the top bars on there, but we'll have to look into the roof design, as those purple hives have siding to their roofs.

I'm also observing that the angle looks steeper on our design. We might have to consider widening the base of ours so it remains stable. Heres a little illustration:

Nice one @AaronM

>>Please add design criteria for the economy OSBH design<<

I agree that the legs could be cut out of the deign to lower the price - cinder blocks or a hive stand could be used instead.

The top bars on top of the hive - similar to Phil Chandler's Bio Bees hive - would not only cut cost, but would be easier to work with.

It is hard for me to part with the roof design, Its kind of a signature look that people love...

We could keep the roof but make it smaller. We have to balance a number of issues. Will it still be cost effective to keep the roof? We have to test it out.

I say screw the roof. It will take longer, however we do it.

Haha! If you all are not attached to the roof, then lets change it! It does not effect the functionality of the hive

We're talking about the low cost hive here - just the low cost hive.

Sorry - a bit late on the reply regarding the roof design, but I just found this site....

As a beekeeper who would like hardware to last as long as possible, I think a flat roof (preferably covered with a layer of roofing tin) would be better, like the langstroth hive tops. Not as attractive, but oh well.

Given that this is being made from sheet plywood rather than hardwood lumber, and the fact you don't generally want to put pressure/chemically treated wood next to your bees (or your honey), then a plain plywood roof (or even cypress plywood if you can find it and afford it) would probably not hold up all that long in the weather, even with a coat of exterior latex...

any guestimate when 'final' plans for this lower cost TBH might become available?

Hey There,

We've been developing the hive here:

Design Review: EcoHive

Feel free to make an account and comment in the AKER forums.

Thanks

Hi!

regarding the minimum space between the pieces, I usually leave a space 2.5 bigger than the toolbit