Building Langstroth Hive Components

Figure 1: Bottom board & Entrance reducer

Materials List

• Two 3/4 x 2-1/4 x 21-5/8 in. #2 pine
• One 3/4 x 2-1/4 x 16-1/4 in. #2 pine
• One 3/4 x 15-1/2 x 21-5/8 in. plywood

Finished Dimensions

• Width: 16-1/4 in.
• Length: 22 in.
• Height: 2-1/4 in. 
• Finger joints: 3/8 in. 

Visual Summary

A technical assembly diagram for a hive bottom board and removable entrance reducer. 

• Views included: A top-down plan view illustrating the interior plywood floor boundaries and side rails, alongside a profile elevation view detailing tongue-and-groove or dado joints. 
• Key measurements shown: Overall base size of 22 in. length by 16-1/4 in. width, with an inner floor opening width of 14-5/8 in. Bottom board thickness is 3/4 in. 
• Entrance reducer details: Shows a rectangular wooden cleat notched with two distinct opening options: a larger 3/4 in. entrance slot one side and a smaller 3/8 in. entrance slot on another side. 

Materials List

• Two 3/4 x 9-5/8 x 19-7/8 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/4 x 9-5/8 x 16-1/4 in. #2 pine

Finished Dimensions

• Box height: 9-5/8 in. 
• End panel width: 16-1/4 in. 
• Side panel length: 19-7/8 in. 
• Frame rest depth: 5/8 in. 
• Upper rabbet: 3/8 in. 
• Entrance hole location: Centered 3 in. from bottom 
• Finger joints are 3/4 in. by 3/4 in. unless otherwise indicated. 

Note: No handles are included. 

Visual Summary

A two-view orthographic drawing detailing the construction of a standard 9-5/8 in. deep hive body.

• Views Included: A top view showing corner finger joint overlaps and inner wall clearance, and a side view displaying the repeating finger joint pattern along the vertical edge.
• Key Measurements Shown: Outer dimensions measure 19-7/8 in. length by 16-1/4 in. width, with a total height of 9-5/8 in. Wall stock thickness is 3/4 in.
• Structural Details: Details 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. interlocking finger joints at all four corners and a 5/8 in. deep by 3/8 in. wide rabbet cut along the top inner edges to support frame shoulders.

Materials List

• Two 3/4 x 6-5/8 x 19-7/8 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/4 x 6-5/8 x 16-1/4 in. #2 pine

Finished Dimensions

• Box height: 6-5/8 in. 
• End panel width: 16-1/4 in. 
• Side panel length: 19-7/8 in. 
• Frame rest depth: 5/8 in. 
• Upper rabbet: 3/8 in. 
• Finger joints are 3/4 in. by 3/4 in. unless otherwise indicated. 

Note: No handles are included. 

Visual Summary

A technical line drawing for a 6-5/8 in.  medium super box.

• Views Included: Top plan view and side elevation view showing corner joinery.
• Key Measurements Shown: External dimensions of 19-7/8 in. length by 16-1/4 in. width, with a vertical box height of 6-5/8 in. Board thickness is 3/4 in. 
• Structural Details: Features 3/4 in. finger joints along corner seams and a top edge frame rest recess cut to 5/8 in. depth.

Materials List

• Two 3/4 x 5-11/16 x 19-7/8 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/4 x 5-11/16 x 16-1/4 in. #2 pine

Finished Dimensions

• Box height: 5-11/16 in.  
• End panel width: 16-1/4 in. 
• Side panel length: 19-7/8 in. 
• Frame rest depth: 5/8 in. 
• Upper rabbet: 3/8 in. 
• Finger joints are 3/4 in. by 3/4 in. unless otherwise indicated. 

Note: No handles are included. 

Visual Summary

A dimensioned blueprint for building a 5-11/16 in. shallow hive box.

• Views Included: Top plan view and side elevation view illustrating panel alignment and finger joint cuts.
• Key Measurements Shown: Outer length of 19-7/8 in., outer width of 16-1/4 in., and a finished height of 5-11/16 in. Wall thickness is nominal 3/4 in. 
• Structural Details: Corner assembly uses 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. interlocking finger joints. Top inner rails feature standard frame rest rabbets.

Several handle styles may be used depending on available tools and personal preference. 

Option 1: Recessed Handles

A recessed handle is cut into the hive body using a dado blade. This design is similar to commercial hive bodies but may be difficult to make a handle easy to lift without specialized equipment. 

Handle dimensions: 

• Width: 6 in. 
• Height: 1 in. 
• Depth: 11/16 in. 
• Distance from top: 1-5/8 in. 

Option 2: Raised End Handle

A pine handle is nailed to the end of the box. This configuration protects the small 3/8 in. piece of the end but requires a larger top cover. The bottom edge angle makes lifting easier. 

Handle dimensions: 

• Size: 3/4 x 1-1/2 x 16-1/4 in. 
• Bottom edge angle: 10°

Option 3: Lowered End Handle

A pine handle nailed lower on the end of the box, allowing the standard cover to fit. The bottom edge angle makes lifting easier. 

Handle dimensions: 

• Size: 3/4 x 1-1/2 x 16-1/4 in. 
• Mounting height: 2-1/2 in. from top
• Bottom edge angle: 10°

Visual Summary

A comparative visual sheet depicting three alternate handle designs for hive boxes:

• Option 1 (Recessed Handle): Shows a recessed grip pocket (1 in. x 6 in. X 11/16 in. deep) routed directly into the outer face of the box wall, situated 1-5/8 in. below the top edge.
• Option 2 (Raised End Handle): Details an external wooden cleat (3/4 in. x 1-1/2 in. x 16-1/4 in.) mounted flush to the top edge of the short wall, featuring a 10° bevel cut along the lower underside grip edge.
• Option 3 (Lowered End Handle): Shows an external cleat (3/4 in. x 1-1/2 in. x 16-1/4 in.) mounted 2-1/2 in. down from the top edge, leaving space above it for standard outer covers to seat without interference.

The inner cover is created by placing a wooden rim around a plywood panel. If using bee escapes, cut a center hole of 3-3/8 x 1-1/4 in. If using the hole only for feeding and ventilation, drill a 2 in. hole in the center instead. 

Materials List

• Two 3/4 x 1-1/4 x 19-7/8 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/4 x 1-1/4 x 16-1/4 in. #2 pine
• One 1/4 x 18-1/4 x 14-3/8 in. plywood

Finished Dimensions

• Width: 16-1/4 in. 
• Length: 19-7/8 in. 
• Rim width: 1-1/4 in. 
• Rim rabbet (one side): 1/2 in. 
• Rim rabbet (opposite side): 3/8 in. 
• Plywood panel thickness: 1/4 in. 
• Plywood panel size: 18-1/4 x 14-3/8 in. 

Visual Summary

An architectural schematic showing top and profile views for a hive inner cover assembly.

• Views Included: Top plan view showing frame border and central cutout, plus a side elevation view detailing the raised rim.
• Key Measurements Shown: Overall footprint of 19-7/8 in. length by 16-1/4 in. width. Sheet panel thickness is 3/8 in. plywood bounded by a 3/4 in. thick perimeter wood rim.
• Special Features: Displays a centered escape/bee-hole measuring 1-1/4 in. x 3-3/4 in. with rounded ends. The upper wood rim includes a 3/8 in. deep ventilation notch cut into one short side.

Materials List

• Two 3/4 x 2-1/2 x 18 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/4 x 2-1/2 x 21-1/4 in. #2 pine
• One 1/2 x 18 x 20-1/2 in. plywood

Finished Dimensions

• Width: 18 in. 
• Height: 2-1/2 in. 
• Length: 21-1/4 in. 
• Length for external box handles: 22-3/4 in. 

Construction Notes

• The top is made from 1/2 in. plywood.
• The top and the upper 1/2 in. on all sides are covered with aluminum flashing (not shown).
• Corner rabbets are 3/8 in. by 3/8 in. 
• Top rabbets are 3/8 in. by 1/2 in.

Visual Summary

A detailed plan for a telescoping hive top cover designed to fit over the inner cover and top super.

• Views Included: Underside plan view showing corner joint assembly and a side section view showing sheet metal capping over wooden frame side rails.
• Key Measurements Shown: Outer dimensions are 21-5/8 in. length by 18 in. width, providing a 3/4 in. overhang around hive bodies. Rim depth is 2-1/8 in. constructed from 3/4 in. lumber topped with a 3/8 in. plywood lid.
• Material Details: Features an exterior protective sheet-metal roof cover bent downward 1-1/4 in. on all four sides to shed water.

Materials List

• Two 3/8 x 3/4 x 19-7/8 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/8 x 3/4 x 14-1/2 in. #2 pine
• Two 3/4 x 2 x 16-1/4 in. #2 pine
• One 1/2 x 16-1/4 x 19-7/8 in. plywood

Finished Dimensions

• Width: 16-1/4 in. 
• Length: 19-7/8 in. 
• Length for external box handles: 21-3/8 in. 
• Cleat width: 2 in. 
• Cleat thickness: 3/4 in. 
• Spacer thickness: 3/8 in. 
• Plywood thickness: 1/2 in. 

Construction layers

From top to bottom:

1. 3/8 in. pine
2. 1/2 in. treated plywood 
3. 3/4 in. treated board (cleats)

Visual Summary

A visual construction guide for a simplified, flush-fitting migratory hive lid.

• Views Included: Top view showing board layout and profile view showing end cleat attachment.
• Key Measurements Shown: Total length of 22 in. and width of 16-1/4 in. Main deck constructed from 3/4 in. solid lumber or exterior-grade plywood.
• Structural Details: Features 3/4 in. x 1-1/2 in. wooden cleats attached beneath both short ends. The sides sit flush with 16-1/4 in. box walls, allowing hives to be loaded tightly side-by-side on transport pallets.

The entrance reducer allows adjustment of the hive entrance opening. The openings are on two edges of the reducer allowing only one exposed to the outside at a time. 

Materials List

• One 3/4 x 3/4 x 14-5/8 in. #2 pine

Finished Dimensions

• Length: 14-5/8 in.
• Height: 3/8 in.
• Depth: 3/8 in. 
• Opening 1: 3 in. long (starting 3 in. from one end)
• Opening 2: 3/4 in. long (starting 4 in. from other end with whole piece rotated 90°)

Visual Summary

A technical assembly diagram for a hive bottom board and removable entrance reducer. 

• Views included: A top-down plan view illustrating the interior plywood floor boundaries and side rails, alongside a profile elevation view detailing tongue-and-groove or dado joints. 
• Key measurements shown: Overall base size of 22 in. length by 16-1/4 in. width, with an inner floor opening width of 14-5/8 in. Bottom board thickness is 3/4 in. 
• Entrance reducer details: Shows a rectangular wooden cleat notched with two distinct opening options: a larger 3/4 in. entrance slot one side and a smaller 3/8 in. entrance slot on another side. 

Materials List

• 3/4 in. pine

Finished Dimensions

Top Bar

• Overall length: 19 in. 
• Center section length: 17 in. 
• Overall width: 1-1/16 in. 
• Beveled shoulder length (each end): 5/8 in. 
• Beveled shoulder height: 1/2 in. tapering to 7/16 in. 
• Shoulder recess length (each end): 3/8 in. 
• Shoulder recess height: 1/2 in. 
• Should recess width (each end): 7/8 in.  
• Center groove width: 1/8 in. 
• End chamfer: 1/4 in. at 45° 

Bottom Bar

• Overall length: 17-3/4 in. 
• Overall width: 3/4 in. 
• Overall height: 3/8 in. 
• Groove width: 1/8 in. 
• Groove depth: 1/4 in. 

Construction Notes

• The top bar includes a centered groove for foundation attachment. 
• Top bar ends are chamfered at 45°. 
• For the top bar, the transition between the frame rest and the shoulder recess section includes a beveled shoulder that tapers from 1/2 in. to 7/16 in.
• The bottom bar includes a centered groove profile and stepped side sections. 

Visual Summary

A dimensioned blueprint for building a frame top bar and bottom bar.

• Views Included: Front, side, end, and profile views showing bar lengths, groove shapes, shoulder dimensions, and end details.
• Key Measurements Shown: Top bar length of 19 in., bottom bar length of 17-3/4 in., groove dimensions, shoulder dimensions, and overall member thicknesses.
• Structural Details: The top bar includes a centered foundation groove and chamfered ends. The bottom bar incorporates a central groove and stepped profile designed to connect with frame end bars and support comb or foundation.

Three lengths are provided for deep, medium, and shallow frame configurations.

Materials List

• 3/8 in.-thick pine

Finished Dimensions

Common End Bar Dimensions

• Thickness: 3/8 in. 
• Overall width at upper section: 1-3/8 in. 
• Upper section center width: 7/8 in. 
• Upper section center depth: 1/2 in. 
• Overall width at lower section: 1-1/8 in. 
• Lower section center width: 3/4 in. 
• Lower section center depth: 3/8 in. 

Deep End Bar

• Overall length: 9-1/8 in. 
• Upper section length: 3-1/2 in. 

Medium End Bar

• Overall length: 6-1/4 in. 
• Upper section length: 2-5/8 in. 

Shallow End Bar

• Overall length: 5-3/8 in. 
• Upper section length: 1-1/8 in. 

Construction Notes

• End-bar profiles are identical for deep, medium, and shallow frames; only overall length varies. 
• Should and notch dimensions remain consistent across all three frame sizes. 

Visual Summary

A dimensioned blueprint for building frame end bars for deep, medium, and shallow Langstroth frames.

• Views Included: Full-size profile views of deep, medium, and shallow frame end bars.
• Key Measurements Shown: End-bar lengths of 9-1/8 in., 6-1/4 in., and 5-3/8 in., along with common shoulder, notch, and width dimensions.
• Structural Details: All three end bars share the same profile and thickness, varying only in length. The design incorporates shoulders and notches that connect to the top and bottom bars while maintaining proper frame spacing within the hive body.