JC's Bee Blog

As a beekeeper, one of the things that is used the most is the hive tool. They are used to pry bee boxes apart, scrape and clean hive parts, pry nails and help pull frames. It used to be that I would carry two hive tools with me to accomplish everything I wanted to do while working the bees. It never failed, if I headed out to work the bees and only took one hive tool, I always needed the other. This is because each hive tool has it's own features, some of these features are not needed all the time but when they are, it's very helpful to have the right tool. Two years ago, I discovered another hive tool on the market and had to try it. It's not that I wanted a 3rd tool to carry around, that's the last thing I needed. I was hoping to find one tool that would do everything and maybe, just maybe, replace the others I carried. Here is what I found this one hive tool could do. 1. When it comes to scraping/prying edges there are choices 2. Nail Puller 3. Frame Puller 4. Top/ ...

The last few days I have spent some time in my wood shop. I needed a tool box to carry my beekeeping tools. It seems when I need a certain tool it is no longer around . But when it's not needed there it is. Funny how it works. Ohio has been right in a line of storms coming from the south reaching the gulf. It's been rain everyday for the last 2 weeks. So I figured this was the time to build my tools box. I wanted something that would hold everything I needed when working the bees. From time to time I do removals ( cutouts ) and then I also graft my own queens. I need something that would accommodate all these needs. I started by getting a few measurements off the bigger pieces that might go in the box. I wanted to make sure I allowed room. The biggest thing I had to carry besides the smoker was a grafting frame. Though I don't use the frame every time I go out, it would be nice to have it when needed. So after some more thought and a few sketches. I came up with my design....