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Sundown Floor for National Bee Hive

This type of floor was designed by Mr. Nantes (I do not know the date) the BBKA have promoted it in the past, I used to manufacture the device, though it was not very popular, but do not think it is available from any UK manufacturers at present. The sloping base allows for drainage of water that may be driven into the hive through the entrance or ill fitting joints. It is the same on both sides and I have known some lazy beekeepers that merely turned the Sundown floor over at spring cleaning time in the hope that it would be debris free by the time this chore was done the following year. To my mind this defeats the idea of scraping the floor clean in order to reduce the possibility of harbouring disease.

The Grain should run along the longest dimension of any part. Cutting of parts (all dimensions in mm).

The Grain should run along the longest dimension of any part.

Cutting of parts (all dimensions in mm).

Qty	Length	Width	Thickness	Material	Usage
2	460	45	18	pine	Side Rails
2	424	18	9	Pine	Rear Top Rim Front Under Rim
1 set 463 total	430	Random Width	18	Pine	Floor Boards (see note)

This floor has the same form whichever way up it is. 9 mm is specified for the thickness of the under rim material, but commercial supplies are often of 8 mm thickness, using 8 mm is unlikely to cause any problems. The side rails will need reducing to compensate. Assemble using a waterproof PVA type glue and 50 mm pins or use twinthread woodscrews for a more reliable and permanent job. If petroleum jelly is used on the rim and linseed oil is used on the Rest of the parts, the item will give many years of good service.

This floor has the same form whichever way up it is.

9 mm is specified for the thickness of the under rim material, but commercial supplies are often of 8 mm thickness, using 8 mm is unlikely to cause any problems. The side rails will need reducing to compensate.

Assemble using a waterproof PVA type glue and 50 mm pins or use twinthread woodscrews for a more reliable and permanent job.

If petroleum jelly is used on the rim and linseed oil is used on the Rest of the parts, the item will give many years of good service.

Sundown Entrance Block The entrance block for use with this type of floor is a special one (illustrated right) that does not fit any other type of floor.

With the Sundown floor type the entrance block can be fitted to block the entrance, allow a 9 mm entrance and can be removed to provide an 18 mm entrance. The block is best made from hardwood to reduce distortion due to ageing.

Detail of floorboard joints

Spare entrance blocks can be made with different sized notches cut out to provide an entrance reducing feature.

NOTE
The individual floorboards can be any random width to make a full set that totals 463 mm. The type of joint to be used, as per the detail at right, will depend on the machining facilities available.

Written... Date lost, Revised... 02 October 2001 Upgraded... 08 December 2005,