Hi, thinking of trying to build a TBH out of cardboard, and have some ideas involving cheesecloth and elmers glue for added rigidity/durability. Basically I'm going to cut the cardboard to dimensions that will fold into the box part of the TBH (Kenya style), make a glue/water paste to spread over the cheesecloth onto the cardboard, making a cast of sorts. I know the cheesecloth/glue combo will make it rigid enough to house the bees, but will this combination present a problem on the wall and sides of the inner hive? Would it be harmful to the bees in any way? I will probably do a couple of layers on the outside, and only one inside. I plan on using a spray on polyurethane to waterproof the outside, and inside if no one can find any objections to that. Obviously being covered by the top bars and having a roof, the interior is not a susceptible to water damage.
Surrounding the box, I will construct a frame to support the top bars. The trough will basically hang from this frame, on the inside of the top bar supports.
Don't know if I got my plans across or not..is this an insanely bad idea or do you think it could work? If so, would be an extremely inexpensive way of constructing a TBH, and the only tools needed are an exacto knife and ruler.