This version uses pivoted entrance closure pieces, and is
as I used to manufacture them. The original snelgrove design had
removeable wedges (that could easily be lost).
Construction is based on a sheet of plywood the same size as
the hive that it is intended to be used on. The illustration shows 9
mm which gives a robust degree of strength, but 6 mm should be OK
(although I have never tried it) most of those that I manufactured
were 8 mm... Simply because I had a large stock of that material at
the time.
Rim pieces and entrance gates are 9 mm x 28 mm stock, and
note should be made that the National hive has
bottom bee space and that there is
a danger of propolisation of the tips of the topbars to the inner
edges of the underside rim. This can be overcome by the use of
petroleum jelly on the rims. A dab of petroleum jelly on the
countersunk screws that are used as pivots also makes life easier.
Small round headed screws make excellent knobs for the gates, but
leave them sticking out about 9 mm otherwise they are dificult to grip
with gloved hands. It is worthwile taking time and effort to round The
hinge ends of the gates and to shape the rim pieces accurately.
There is a hole in the centre of the main panel... The size
of this is not critical, I used 100 mm square, but I have seen
examples with up to 250 mm square holes. Whatever size it is you will
need to fit a screen mesh on both sides of it.
The Snelgrove board can be used either way up. The method
of use will be described separately. There other uses to which this
item of equipment can be put, with some extra strips accross as is
shown in the illustration below.
This version may have wire mesh panels in all compartments
or not depending on how you are going to use it. In conjunction with a
brood box that has its sides grooved internally, and divisions that
can be slid into place to form three nucleus boxes, it makes a useful
tool in raising a few extra nucs.
I have even taken this a stage further with some of my personal
kit... I have made some boards with gates on all four edges (but
offset from centre) and strips arranged for three nucs one side or
four the other. Which means I can also use two 5 frame nucs if
required.
