🐝 How to Build a Layen's Frame with One Saw! [Using a Jig]

YOU can build a Layen's Frame for your hive with just one saw! This video shows how to cut all the pieces for your Bee Frame including the tapered edges necessary for the bee space in your beehive.
I love Layens hives and have been using this style since I started beekeeping. In my opinion, they provide a better shelter for honey bees to survive the winter than traditional Langstroth hives due to their frame depth and thick walls.
When I made the video on how to build Layens frames quite a few viewers asked me if I would consider selling frames to them because they didn't have all the tools or space for the tools necessary to build a bee frame. My primary focus is on raising bees and showing others how I can successfully develop treatment-free bees in western New York and I didn't want to get into manufacturing bee frames for other beekeepers' hives. After quite a bit of thought and prototyping, I found a solution for my beekeeping friends!
It's possible to build a traditional Layen's style frame with just a circular saw, a homemade jig, and some hand tools. In this video, I show my process for building a Layen's frame with one saw using a jig. This woodworking jig is quite complex so I've also included a link for the plans as well as a video on how to build the jig.
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[@HM-qw3nn]

You are a ton safer than my husband! Maybe that’s why I didn’t think anything about the way you did things😂. Great videos. No nonsense. I really appreciate that!! Thanks so much.

[@Jack-es9xq]

This is a good series. You could wax the pegs and holes to speed up the smooth operation

[@ChiefHamza]

Your at almost 3k subs now but when layens hives get really popular I believe your gonna have 100k subs easy lol. These vids should be a series.

[@BeeBoyBill]

That would be really amazing Chief Hamza! I'm thrilled that people are getting inspired to build their own equipment. I'm always looking for good content ideas, let me know if you think one up to add to the series.

[@ChiefHamza]

@@BeeBoyBill ok will do

[@jeffgrier8488]

It's great to see you post a video! I haven't built a Layen's hive yet, but it's on my list, our other hives keep us busy from time to time!

[@BeeBoyBill]

Hey Jeff, thanks for watching. Do you normally run Langs? Definitely give the Layen's a try sometime and see what you think!

[@ricdenali4213]

Nice job.

[@danielsear9687]

Great to see you're back. I enjoy your videos. Please don't wait so long to make other videos. I made a Layens Hive this winter.

[@BeeBoyBill]

Nice! I’ll try to keep them coming.

[@skipdaniels5875]

Glade to see you back. Your videos have taught me much. Keep up the great work

[@BeeBoyBill]

Thanks for watching I’m glad they are helping!

[@indymagoo]

Very cool Bill. I noticed in this video and in your other frame video that you make the bottom bar 3/4”x3/4”. Dr. Leo makes his at 5/8” x 3/4”. Any reason for the difference? I’m not sure why he does this unless he gets more pieces out of board. Thanks for the information.

[@georgedenninghoff3196]

We were just wondering where you went this morning. All the videos were from two years ago. Have you given any more thought to doing the feeder tops? Good to see you again.

[@BeeBoyBill]

Hi George. I've definitely have been busy the last two years but I'm hoping to make more videos now that I've paired down some of my responsibilities. I haven't used any feeders since that first year when I was getting the packages going. I did try one on a swarm, but I found once there was nectar available they wouldn't mess with the feeder to much. Thanks for your comment and thoughts!

[@smallblockfuelie]

So good to see you back ! I love the jig idea. Have you considered selling them? Also, Dr Leo has a new design on his website. I’d love to see you build one of them with the new plan.

[@BeeBoyBill]

I'm working on a complete build video for the jig. I was able to break the design down and build it using only a circular saw hoping it would be more accessible. I have seen the new design but I haven't experimented with it yet. Thanks for watching!

[@runningdogapiary5009]

Welcome back. I hope all has been well.

[@BeeBoyBill]

Thanks!

[@flippintwit4375]

Valuable stuff here. Thank you for sharing.

[@Jack-es9xq]

also I think a wedge clamping arrangement would be quicker than the screw/drill method

[@stargazer1733]

Welcome back! Love your videos.

[@BeeBoyBill]

Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@raincoast9010]

I am subscribed to your channel but now i understand why i couldn't find you. I was searching Bee Boy Bill when i should have been searching Dangerous, careless, reckless, non-OSHA compliant Bee Boy Bill ha ha ha. (also for the idiots, coffee is hot and can burn you) Great to see you again and get another quality bee video from you. I look forward to the jig build video as well.

[@BeeBoyBill]

haha. That sounds about right! I do try to be as safe as possible, but I am accident prone for some reason. I do still have all my fingers so my shop teacher must have done something right. Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@jeffreyldavidson]

This is genius, thank you. Will you post the plans for the jig?

[@BeeBoyBill]

Thanks! I’m working on the jig build video next.

[@jamesd8839]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. Where do you get your lumber from? Any tips on picking wood for making frames?

[@BeeBoyBill]

Hi James. I usually try to by lumber locally from the mom & pop places but I definitely head to the big store for lumber to build frames. I've had good luck at Home Depot. Usually I have to buy the more expensive 2x4s but I once got away with the cheap ones. The first thing I do is take the straightest board I can find off the top of the pile and place it on the flat cart. I look for knots and splits and if it's something I can work around I move on to the next board. I repeat this until I have a few more than I need, usually digging deep into the 2x4 pile and moving quite a few. Once I have a bunch lined up on the flat cart, I keep the straightest boards with the least defects. It takes quite some time to find the best ones even in the most expensive lumber, but will save you time in the shop and produce the best product. The Home Depot workers must be used to it because they never question me or pay much attention. Do you have any lumber picking secrets?

[@jamesd8839]

@@BeeBoyBill Thanks for the tip. I basically do the same thing. At the Lowes and HD near me, the 2x4s tend to have a lot of knots, so I have started looking at wider boards 2x8 - 2x12 at the >8ft lengths. These seem less picked over and you can quickly find boards with large knot-free sections that would be best for frames. It may not be cheaper, but it beats flipping a pile of 2x4s.

[@scottturner1494]

Is it possible to build a lanes hive with one saw? And the kreg pocket hole jig and screws and glue? If you don’t have a table saw.

[@BeeBoyBill]

Hi Scott. I've been working on a method to build a Layen's Hive with only a circular saw and should be building in the next couple weeks. I'll make sure to get that video up as soon as I get it done. Thanks for watching!

[@11bravo79]

What size hole/dowel did you use?

[@BeeBoyBill]

1/4”, I’ve also seen Gene from Enjoy Beekeeping use bamboo skewers roughly the same diameter which might be cheaper but I don’t have first hand experience with them.

[@SecureAcresNaturalBees]

Welcome back Bill! Love your channel. We referenced you in our build a swarm hive video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aofWqmCfbNGIa7M Thank you for being awesome!

[@BeeBoyBill]

Thanks for the props! I checked out your video and I'm jealous you have a camera person!

[@greaseslime2004]

Mechanism

[@BeeBoyBill]

I'm unsure of what you're asking, if you can share a few more words I'll try to come up with a good answer!