Some good links that I’ve found for those of you with a woodworking shop who might like to build your own bee stuff.
Langstroth; http://www.michiganbees.org/beekeeping/in-the-beekeepers-workshop/
Top Bar Hive; (Phil Chandler’s design) http://www.scribd.com/doc/168332145/How-to-Build-a-Simple-Top-Bar-Hive
and the videos to lead you through it; http://www.davesbees.com/hives.html
Phil Chandler’s design is a good one but it is meant for England’s milder winter climate. Two changes that I would recommend for our Canadian winters are 1. to use thicker lumber ( 1.5″ instead of .75″ ) and 2. put the entrance holes in the end, not along the side. Send me an e-mail if you have questions.
West Kootenay Beekeepers 