How To Build a Top Bar Beehive from start to finish by Jon Peters

Learn to build a top bar beehive from start to finish

This is a project I've always wanted to do and it was a blast to make. Beekeeping is becoming more and more popular and my goal is to eventually use the beeswax for some of my encaustic art projects.

[JohnHeisz]

Great project - I really enjoy watching you work and how well done these videos are.

[Rmillerb]

I have been a for near 40 years beginning in Middle school. I've been Bee curious for 10 years or so. My wife and I really enjoyed watching your video and ideas you shared during the taping of it, I think this is the year to get my first hive running! Very well done Jon, love the use of stock saved or reclaimed from previous projects as well.
Thank You!

[sirjames]

I like your video. I am too a beginner. I am looking to expand my hives to five this year. One thing that I did on my first hive was on the feeders.  I put screen under the jars. The bees can get there tongues through the holes and get the feed. But when you change the jars you don't risk having any bees come up through the hole. Keeps them more confided and less disturbed.

[kennalan]

I will build two of these in my shop this winter using your exact instructions. Neighbor across the street has 3 colonies in Langstroths. She sometimes has difficulty separating the supers. I believe the Kenyan-style top bar hives are perfect for me. Looking forward to more videos on this. Good work!

[thisculturedlife]

I just saw a neat feeding method that allows you to maximize the hive space by drilling 3 or 4 holes in a top bar, and just placing a packet of bee fondant on top, under the lid. I'm going to try that with mine.

[acraig]

Here's hoping the bees love it! Interesting about turning the blade around to cut plexiglass - I didn't know that. 

[TheBergy]

That's a pretty neat design. Definitely a good project to use up scrap wood.

[guitarfend]

John, my first year and chose top bar. I'm also a carpenter. Very good, concise, and pretty clever. Thanks for the excellent video. Bruce Romanoff

[nickjohnson]

Looks great, Jon!  One suggestion-- I've heard it's a good idea to put a small ledge just below the entrance of the hive.  It gives the bees a "landing strip" to rest when they get back and to orient themselves when they leave.

[oldcaptainrusty]

Thanks Jon for your time and efforts. I have been looking at hive plans and watching videos for a few weeks now, anticipating getting my bees next year. Your video answered a number of questions that I had, most of the info that I have ran across is not real clear in some areas. The TBH is definitely the way to go to get into beekeeping without spending a lot of money; especially if you can build your own hive. Thanks again for a great video.

[Jamesgreggy]

Very interested in seeing a follow up video once the bees have established a hive. Great work!

[lloydr.]

Excellent video Jon. Have been saving timber for a while and starting very soon. Most hives for sale here are too expensive for my pocket but with these I make my own plus the benefits mentioned. Hated woodwork at school and now just retired wishing I'd paid more attention. Subscribed and looking for more ideas. Bought trailer/caravan to go homestead looking. First trip in 2 weeks. Can now be ready for the bees as soon as we find bee heaven. Thank you.

[pickleme]

Started a garden and this looks like something I need to do. See you on Tuesday.

[pennyroyal]

That sounds like a whole family fun project. A friend of mine is moving out to the country and this project would be a great gift. Awesome video as usual Jon. 

[CameraEd]

Nice. An excellet project. I hope you'll give us updates on how the hive is doing.

[CNBarnes]

Very nicely done video.   I have several Langstroth hives and am planning on building my first top bar hive - but modified to have straight sides and be able to use normal deep frames.  

[philipwaters]

Thank you, this is really useful. Seeing one being built has made it much easier for me to visualize. I hope to be building my own soon. Phil

[patrickmontgomery]

i like everything you did ... now i had built one awhile back and on my top bars i split them in the middle and put a 3 or 4 in wide piece of beeswax foundation the length of the bar in the middle and screwed the pieces back together.. it gave the bees a starting point and no need to melt the wax ..(which is hard to clean off )  by the way excellent video

[dpelcherjr]

Great project.  Not something I could do, I am allergic to bee stings, but I am very excited to see how this turns out for you.  Surely hope to see a video of the progress from time to time.  Thanks, Dave

[JkCanvas]

Great idea and wonderful build and will defiantly replicate this.