Eke
An Eke is perhaps the simplest (and one of the most useful) items to make for your hive. They can be used to support the hive around a rapid feeder, below a clearer board if you need the space for rapid clearing, to hold insulation above the brood in the winter etc. Mine are simply cut from 18mm ply and are 100mm wide (they can be whatever depth is required). The important thing is to cut the length of the ply correctly (see parts list below). The eke is unusual amongst hive parts in that for other parts it is the internal length that is important to maintain correct bee-space, but since the eke is not part of the bees' 'home' this is less important than stability and a smooth external edge for rain runoff, therefore the measurements are to match the external hive dimensions.
- Parts List
| Part | No per hive | Notes |
| Sides | 2 | 18mm ply, width 100mm, length to match the hive width (460mm) |
| Ends | 2 | 18mm ply, width 100mm, length to match the hive length (460mm) MINUS 36mm (twice the thickness of the ply) = 424mm |
- Assembly
The 4 sides are glued together at the ends such that the shorter sides lie inside of the longer sides (i.e. the resultant box MUST be the same overall dimensions as the hive.) Glue each joint, ensure that it is squarely assembled and screw through.
Finally paint with three coats of external grade paint on the outside, top and bottom edges only.
