DIY Observation Hive Plans

[aboyette312]

I have been reading 'The Practical Beekeeper' by Michael Bush as I venture into the world of beekeeping. I am looking to get started this coming year. Meanwhile, I would like to build an observation hive to install in my home office as he suggests. Does anyone have detailed plans with drawings for an observation hive that holds four frames with the correct bee space dimensions? Also, the window of my office opens onto my front porch. I do not really want my bees entering and exiting on my porch. Therefore, if I ran my entrance tube out the window and off the side of my porch, it is 6'6". Is that too long of an entrance?

[Nock]

I think Jim made his. I?m sure he will provide details.

[BeeMaster2]

Here is the link to the thread that I used to build my observation hive. I think there is another thread that goes with this one. If I find it I will post a link.
https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=30161.msg239722#msg239722
Jim Altmiller

[BeeMaster2]

Here are some pictures of my observation hive:









The bees in this hive put lots of wax on the glass. Most of the hives do not put wax on the glass. This is the second hive to put the wax on the glass. When there is little food available, they will strip the wax back off to use for capping brood.
Jim Altmiller

[aboyette312]

is a 6' entrance/exit tube to long?

[Nock]

That may be a good winter project.

[BeeMaster2]

is a 6' entrance/exit tube to long?

I have seen other observation hives with tubes that went from below the hive and up through the roof. The trick is to make the tube large enough so that they do not clog it up with dead bees when there is a problem and to put something in it that the bees can climb on. They often have a hard time climbing up a tube.
Jim Altmiller

[aboyette312]

excellent. Ill post pictures when I get it done. I saw a set of plans where each frame was able to be taken out in modules for easy maintenance. I am going to make some modifications to ensure proper bee space. Wish me luck!

[Michael Bush]

I have measurments, but not detailed plans.  And pictures:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm#working

Go to the bottom of the page for pictures and parts list.