Today I Made

[Ben Framed]

I started putting together the first stages of the trap. I decided to go with 7 escapes I order to make stapling a bit easier. The base of the trap will have bee space included. End grain of plywood will be set into a trench or a rebate where possible. I can?t really attempt anything else until my pollen trap strips arrive so that spacing can be calculated. The size of the pollen drawer will be determined after the bottom mesh layer is installed. Components are only screwed together at this stage.

Les do you have this build on your YouTube channel?

[Lesgold]

Hi Phillip

No I don?t. Over the winter I may put up a few bee related videos when I have more time. This may be one of them. I?m also thinking of a few videos related to turned wooden lids and some of the engraving projects that I have experimented with. Preparation for markets, fishing and prospecting burn up quite a bit of time.

[Ben Framed]

Thanks Les, I look forward to more of your videos..

Phillip

[Lesgold]

I have been using the laser engraver for a few months now and finally got round to making a work bench to hold it. Just got tired of setting up a fold out table and connecting up all the cables every time it needed to be used. Decided that it had to be dust proof as it would live in the workshop. The dust cover/ extraction unit protects the engraver and all other components live in the cupboard below the unit. The table is on casters and a slide out laptop shelf solves all storage issues. Just completed a test run on a series of turned lids that needed a bee image engraved into the surface. Everything worked as it should and will now save time in the long run.

[Lesgold]

Finally found some quiet time to get onto the laser and produce a jig for engraving business cards. With the artwork done and the file created, it?s now just a simple matter of positioning the aluminium blanks into the jig and starting the engraver. It is quite a slow operation to cut 12 cards but I?m always doing something else during the engraving process.

[Ben Framed]

Nice!

[Lesgold]

Hi Folks,

Just uploaded a YouTube clip on how I make the wooden lids for my honey jars. It?s all visual with no narration due to the noise of the machinery. Hope you can get something from it.

Cheers

Les

https://youtu.be/H-1MnQE-52Y?si=xnz-RpeIzcMW1Buz

[Ben Framed]

I just watched your video Les, all of it! I can?t complement you enough. Those lids look outstanding.  If I had the equipment I would do it  too!  I don?t see how anyone at the markets can compete with you. 

Phillip

PS
I also hit the like button.

[tigger19687]

Just whipped up (Farm Girl Style) 2 Long Lang hives from 1/2" ply.  Cut all bits on circular saw and then smaller things on the small table saw.  Screws, long staples, drill.
Then 2" foam all around (not bottom).
Drill battery died so had to stop for coffee.  Then back out to do a few holes for bottom verts. 
Sorry no pics yet.  They are nothing fancy but it kept me busy today on a nice almost 70?F out !

[Ben Framed]

Thumbs Up!

[Lesgold]

After jarring up some honey, I had to make quite a few swing tag labels. Decided to maker a permanent jig for holding the printed labels sheets in place while the laser cutter drilled the tag holes and cut individual labels out. Used some thick cardboard for the template and used the laser to cut both the locking tabs and the A4 cutout. This jig can now be slipped accurately into place when ever needed. It will be a time saver for cutting out the labels. Every cut is clean and precise. It takes 45 seconds for the machine to drill the holes and cut out 12 labels.

[Bill Murray]

Les I think you got me hooked on the laser engraver.

[BeeMaster2]

Les,
I have been looking at engravers for a while now. Which one do you have?
Jim Altmiller

[Lesgold]

Hi Jim,

I ended up getting the Creality Falcon 2. It?s a 22w machine. Cuts through 12mm pine quite well. There is also a 40w machine available but it is quite a bit more to buy. I?m happy with this laser for what I do.

[BeeMaster2]

I just looked it up, $809. Where do you have it setup at? I have been watching reviews of all types of lasers and two things that they point out are getting rid of the fumes and high chance of fire. How is this one?
Jim Altmiller

[Lesgold]

A few months ago I bought a cover for the engraver. It comes with its own built in extraction fan and flexible tubing. I now duct the air out of a window in the workshop. It works well. The cover also protects the unit from dust which is potentially a problem. I recently made a portable table to hold the engraver. It is on wheels which means that I can move it close to a window when I want to use it. I will photograph the device I made to hold ducting in place in the window opening.

[Lesgold]

Fire has not been an issue but it could potentially be a problem if you used incorrect settings. It has its own built in air system and a fire warning setting. I make sure that when in use, I keep an eye on what is happening.

[BeeMaster2]

Les,
With my Creality Ender 5 Plus, prints can take hours, and in some cases days to print. This means it gets unwatched for long periods of time. How long are your longest prints?

Jim Altmiller

[Lesgold]

Most of what I am doing takes only a short period of time. Large, complex engraving jobs could take a couple of hours but the beekeeping stuff that I make generally takes anywhere from a minute to 30 minutes. From memory, the comb honey frames take about an hour for 32 pieces to be cut.