Cut List for the Solar Wax Melter

Building Beehives For Dummies

Build a solar wax melter by first breaking it down into its individual components — these tables show you how and provide instructions on how to cut those components. The top assembly requires a dado cut.

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 3 inch lumber is in fact 3/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch.

The Material column in the following table lists nominal dimensions and the Dimensions column lists the actual, final measurements.

Floor Assembly

Quantity	Material	Dimensions	Notes
3	1" x 3" knotty pine	6-1/2" x 1" x ¾"	These are the retaining cleats that hold the aluminum pans in position.
1	3/4" exterior plywood	18-1/2" x 15" x 3/4"	This is the upper floor.
1	3/4" exterior plywood	15" x 9-1/2" x 3/4"	This is the front panel.
1	3/4" exterior plywood	15" x 9-1/4" x 3/4"	This is the lower floor.
1	3/4" exterior plywood	15" x 6-3/4" x 3/4"	This is the rear panel.
1	3/4" exterior plywood	15" x 2-1/2" x ¾"	This is the riser.

Credit: Illustration by Felix Freudzon, Freudzon Design

Inclined Side Panels

Quantity	Material	Dimensions	Notes
2	3/4" exterior plywood	27" x 17-1/2" x 10-1/4" x ¾"	These are the inclined side panels. To create an incline of approximately 15 degrees, the front edge of the panel is 10-1/4" high and the rear edge is 17-1/2" high.

Credit: Illustration by Felix Freudzon, Freudzon Design

Glazed Top Assembly

Quantity	Material	Dimensions	Notes
2	1" x 3" knotty pine	27-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 3/4"	These are the long rails of the frame. Dado a 5/16" wide by 3/8" deep groove along the entire length of what will be the inside of each rail. Position the bottom edge of the dado 1-1/2" from what will be the bottom edge of the rail.
2	1" x 3" knotty pine	18-1/2" x 2-1/2" x ¾"	These are the short rails of the frame. Dado a 5/16" wide by 3/8" deep groove along the entire length of what will be the inside of each rail. Position the bottom edge of the dado 1-1/2" from what will be the bottom edge of the rail.
1	Polycarbonate dual-wall 6mm greenhouse panel	28-1/8" x 17-5/8" x ¼" (6mm)	This is the window. Cut it to size using your table saw and a general purpose blade.

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.