Cut List for British National Hive Crown Board and Roof

Building Beehives For Dummies

The following two tables present the cut lists for the crown board and the roof of a British National hive (BNH). In the following tables, each Material column lists nominal dimensions, and each Dimensions column lists the actual, final measurements.

Crown Board for the British National Hive
Quantity	Material	Dimensions	Notes
4	1" x 6" clear pine	18" x 3/4" x 3/4"	These are the long side rails. Dado 1/4" wide by 3/8" deep along entire length, 1/8" from edge.
2	1" x 6" clear pine	17-1/4" x 3/4" x 3/4"	These are the short side rails. Dado 1/4" wide by 3/8" deep along entire length, 1/8" from edge. Rabbet opposite ends, 3/4" wide by 3/8" deep.
1	1/4" lauan plywood	17-1/4" x 17-1/4" x 1/4"	This is the top. Cut two 4-1/2" x 1-5/8" ovals in the top. Center the ovals left to right. Position one 6" from the front edge of the plywood board and the other 2-5/8" from the front edge of the plywood board. These holes serve for ventilation and can also be used to accommodate a Porter bee escape at honey harvest time.

Credit: Illustration by Felix Freudzon, Freudzon Design

Roof for the British National Hive
Quantity	Material	Dimensions	Notes
4	1" x 6" clear pine	18" x 1-1/4" x 3/4"	Two of these are the long sides of the inner ridge rail, and the other two are the short sides of the inner ridge rail.
2	1" x 10" cedar	20-1/4" x 5-3/4" x 3/4"	These are the long side panels. Rabbet the edge of each corner 3/8" deep by 3/4" wide (see the following figure).
2	1" x 10" cedar	19-1/4" x 5-3/4" x 3/4"	These are the short side panels.
1	3/4" exterior plywood	20-1/4" x 20-1/4" x 3/4"	This is the top.
1	24" aluminum flashing	24" x 24"	This is the protective metal cover. Use tin snips to cut the flashing to size. Wrap flashing over the top of the assembled roof. There will be a flap that folds over the top edge. Fold the corners to avoid sharp edges.

Credit: Illustration by Felix Freudzon, Freudzon Design

About This Article

About the book author:

Howland Blackiston has been keeping bees for almost 40 years. He has appeared as an expert on CNBC, CNN, NPR, The Discovery Channel, Sirius Satellite Radio, and other broadcast outlets, and has written numerous articles on beekeeping. Howland has been a keynote speaker at conferences in more than 40 countries.