| | Assembly task |
Raw Materials | Step 1 - Collect your materials
You will need the precut sides of the hive box and enough nails to secure both sides of each joint. Most hive boxes require 10 nails per joint, or a total of 40 nails. You will also need a hammer, and a rubber mallet and rag is very handy for tapping in the joints when fitting them together for nailing. We recommend using galvanized ring-shank nails, which will not rust and will remain secure. |
 |  | | Fit Side Pieces to End Piece | Fit End Piece to Side Pieces |
| Step 2 - Hand-fit the pieces together
Lay the first end-piece handle-side down, and fit the two side pieces, handle-sides out, firmly down onto the end piece. Make the joints fit together as well as possible by hand. Take the remaining end-piece and fit it handle-side up onto the two side-pieces, fitting the joints together as tightly as possible. |
 | | Tap in rabbeted ears at joints until joints are square and flush |
| Step 3 - Tap in joints until square and flush
Place a rag over the rabbets at the joints to prevent marring, and use the rubber mallet to tightly interlock the joints. Tap the rabbeted ears until they are as square and flush as possible. |
 
  | Step 4 - Nail the first joint, alternating the sides
Nail the first joint together by selecting an ear that is tightly-fitted, square and flush. Drive the nail through its pilot hole into the adjoining piece. Turn the box over to the adjoining side, and select an ear on this side, on the same joint, which is also tightly fitting, square and flush. Drive a nail completely through the ear's pilot hole and into the adjoining piece. |
Completely nail all remaining joints | Step 5 - Nail the remaining joints
Repeat the process of alternated nailing of the ears, working your way around the box until all the joints are completely nailed together. At times, hive box pieces will be slightly warped, so you will need to be selective about the sequence in which to nail the ears, to ensure all joints end up square and flush, with no gaps on the inside corners. |
 | The completed hive box
Your hive box is now completely assembled. You may now finish the wood in the way you prefer. I only paint mine with a high-quality acrylic exterior latex*. Others prefer to apply linseed oil to seal the wood or apply a metal-impregnated treatment to retard the growth of mold. * The latex paint we use does not require priming and preserves the wood without additional oil preparation. It is Sherwin Williams "SuperPaint", Exterior Latex Gloss, Super White, item 107-7171. This paint is absolutely the finest available, and carries a 20-year warranty from Sherwin Williams. |
![Click for more detail](javascript:dispImg('',self.location.href,document.title,'Unassembled wood sections of a deep (9-5/8") brood box; these are most commonly made from white pine or Ponderosa pine.', '/images/Hardware/Assembly/Brood Box/Brood-Box-Kit.jpg'))
)
All Rights Reserved.)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
