The following tables break down the various Langstroth frames into their individual components and provide instructions on how to cut those components for deep, medium, and shallow frames.
Lumber in a store is identified by its nominal size, which is its rough dimension before it's trimmed and sanded to its finished size at the lumber mill. The actual finished dimensions are always slightly different from the nominal dimensions. For example, what a lumberyard calls 1 inch x 8 inch lumber is in fact 3/4 inch x 7-3/4 inch.
The Material column in the following tables lists nominal dimensions, and the Dimensions column lists the actual, final measurements.
| Quantity | Material | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 2" x 3" spruce or fir | 9-1/8" x 1-3/8" x 3/8" | These are the side bars. Drill two 1/8" holes 1-3/4" apart and centered top to bottom and left to right. These holes are for the foundation pins. |
| 10 | 1" x 8" clear pine | 19" x 1-1/16" x 3/4" | These are the top bars. |
| 10 | 1" x 8" clear pine | 17-3/4" x 3/4" x 3/8" | These are the bottom bars. Cut a saw kerf centered along the entire length, 1/8" wide by 5/16" deep. |
| 10 | Sheets of 8-1/2" deep crimp-wire beeswax foundation | ||
| Quantity | Material | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 2" x 3" spruce or fir | 6-1/4" x 1-3/8" x 3/8" | These are the side bars. Drill two 1/8" holes 1-3/4" apart and centered top to bottom and left to right. These holes are for the foundation pins. |
| 10 | 1" x 8" clear pine | 19" x 11/16" x 3/4" | These are the top bars. |
| 10 | 1" x 8" clear pine | 17-3/4" x 3/4" x 3/8" | These are the bottom bars. Cut a saw kerf centered along the entire length, 1/8" wide by 5/16" deep. |
| 10 | Sheets of 5-5/8" medium crimp-wire beeswax foundation | ||
| Quantity | Material | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 2" x 3" spruce or fir | 5-3/8" x 1-3/8" x 3/8" | These are the side bars. Drill two 1/8" holes 1-3/4" apart and centered top to bottom and left to right. These holes are for the foundation pins. |
| 10 | 1" x 8" clear pine | 19" x 11/16" x 3/4" | These are the top bars. |
| 10 | 1" x 8" clear pine | 17-3/4" x 3/4" x 3/8" | These are the bottom bars. Cut a saw kerf centered along the entire length, 1/8" wide by 5/16" deep. |
| 10 | Sheets of 4-3/4" shallow crimp-wire beeswax foundation | ||
![[Credit: Illustration by Felix Freudzon, Freudzon Design]](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/357162.image0.jpg)
Credit: Illustration by Felix Freudzon, Freudzon Design