Quick & Easy - Making a Dovetail 10 Frame Langstroth Bee Hive using the Porter Cable Dovetail Jig
The Texas Beekeeper The Texas Beekeeper
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 Published On Mar 25, 2021

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Some future video ideas that I have of things to make beekeeping related are:
-Oxcalic Acid Vaporizer (Similar to the Provap 110)
-Escape Board (For clearing the Honey Supers for extracting)
-5 Frame Nuc (Both a Dovetail and Staple Methods)
-Top Entrance Shim (Or Oxcalic Acid Treatment Shim (for those of you that don't want to drill the Hive Body or treat through the Entrance))
-Double Screen Board (For placing a weaker colony on top of a stronger colony for overwintering or building Nucs)

About this video:
This video will go through the steps of making a very Easy to make and easy to assemble 10 Frame Deep Langstroth Bee Hive Box using the 4216 Porter Cable Dovetail Jig. Also included are dimensions for a 5 Frame Deep Nuc and 3 Frame Deep Mating Nuc.
I timed how long it took (minus me talking) and it was 1 to 1.25 minutes per side. So approximately 5 minutes to route the dovetails for the entire box. Assembly is even quicker than that, and no drilling for nails required. It virtually self squares also, although I do usually clamp the corners for peace of mind.

This method does require the dovetail jig, router(s) and a means to cut the boards. I use a miter to cut them to length (16.25" for the front and rear, and 19.875" for the sides), and a table saw to cut the depth (9.625").

For the Frame rests, I now use the table saw with a stacked Dado blade, which is also what I use for the Hand holds and for cutting the grooves on the inside for dividers.

You could use a router for the Frame Rests either on a Router Table (as I show in the video) or by clamping a board onto your front and rear piece and routing out the frame rest (requires individual setup for each board. Or you could build a jig to repeat this process.

As always, please take the proper safety precautions when working with any power tools.
This video is for informational purposes only.

I noticed after reviewing the video, that I wrote on the Template 42040 and 42046. These numbers are actually the Template Guide Bushing that pairs with the different Router Bits.
So the part numbers are all correct, they're just for the Guide Bushing, not for the Template.

Box dimensions:
10 FRAME DEEP:
FRONT & BACK - 16.25" X 9.625" X .75" THICK
SIDES - 19.875" X 9.625" X .75" THICK

5(+) FRAME DEEP:
FRONT & BACK - 9.5" X 9.625" X .75" THICK
SIDES - 19.875" X 9.625" X .75" THICK

3(+) FRAME DEEP (MATING NUC):
FRONT & BACK - 6.75" X 9.625" X .75" THICK
SIDES - 19.875" X 9.625" X .75" THICK

Note: Sides are the exact same dimensions for all 3 variations (since this is driven by the Frame length & they are all deeps). For an 8 Frame Hive, you can adjust accordingly.

Also, Since the part of the box that gets the dovetails is the height of the box (9.625" for the deep hive body), once you set up the dovetail jig, you can make all variations of deep hive bodies without needing to setup the jig each time. You could even make an 8 Frame Deep if you choose. If you wanted to make Medium or Shallow Supers, you would need to adjust the stop rail on the dovetail jig to re-position.

Parts list:
I started to try and be an Amazon affiliate, but didn't receive enough traffic, so I believe that has been taken away, but the links should still work, I just don't receive any compensation. The main goal is to provide the part numbers so you know what you need. You could also search the part numbers on Amazon, or otherwise online to try and find the best price.

4216 Porter Cable Dovetail Jig:
https://amzn.to/3lPUfoh

690LR Router was not available at a normal price, so for now I have included a link for a Dewalt. Once the 690LR is available, I will update the link. Any router in the 1-3/4 HP Range will work fine.
Dewalt DW616
https://amzn.to/2QJfX1P

If you already have the Dovetail Jig and just need Router Bits and Bushings see below:

43776PC Dovetail Bit (7 degree 17/32"):
https://amzn.to/3tN0VpU

An Alternative to the 43776PC:
https://amzn.to/3d96hF3

43743PC 13/32" Straight Bit:
https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-4...

This is an equivalent Bit.
Whiteside Router Bits 1064A Straight Bit with 13/32-Inch Cutting Diameter and 1-Inch Cutting Length
https://amzn.to/3som8pZ

42040 Template Guide Bushing (for use with Dovetail Bit)
https://amzn.to/3fekWl0

42046 Template Guide Bushing (for use with Straight Bit)
https://amzn.to/3tW5wpE

Template Guide Lock Nut (required to tighten the Template Guide Bushing to the Router Base): 42237 (I remember the manual saying 42239, but 42237 is what was included).
https://amzn.to/3rlyiOL

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