For the American Bee Journal. 



Nailing' Machine for Frames. 



GREINHi; BROTHERS. 



After five years of experience in the 

 manufacture of bee hives and bee fur- 

 niture, we find that next to a power 

 buz/, saw a good " nailing machine " for 

 frames is one of the most indispensable 

 tools we use, and as it is now the time 

 of the year that this kind of work is 

 done by those engaged in the same busi- 

 ness, we give its description below, 

 hoping that some may be benefitted by 

 it. The way the machine is made, sizes 

 and dimensions of the material used' 

 need not be exactly the same ; it may 

 be varied according to circumstances 

 and individual preferences, but the 

 principle will still be the same and the 

 accuracy of the work done with the 

 machine will satisfy in every respect. 



Our nailing machine is made as fol- 

 lows : The block AA is 2xoxl6^ in.; this 

 is the most important part of the tool, 

 and. as the trueness of our frames de- 

 pends upon it, it is necessary that it be 



(Nailing Machine for Surplus Frames.) 



perfect in every respect — out of wind, 

 square (especially the end surfaces), and 

 of correct length. This is fastened to 

 the backboard, G, %x6%x22^ in. by 

 large screws, leaving even spaces at the 

 sides and ends. The end-blocks, EE, 

 I%x2x6% in., with notches, DD, l%x 

 S}4 in., are also fastened in the same 

 way to the ends of the backboard ; these 

 answer as supports to the eccentric 

 levers, BB, and at the same time for the 

 machine to stand on. The levers BB 

 are the same thickness as the width of 

 notches DD, \% in., and the circular 

 part 2% in. in diameter with handles 2 

 in. long. 



The set screws, CC and FF, are placed 

 as shown in the cut, and, as the 

 machine is reversable, similar screws 

 are needed on the lower side. The 

 screws CC project y 8 in. from back- 

 board, or one-half of the difference in 

 width between top and end-pieces ; the 

 other screws, FF, regulate the project- 

 ing ends or tennons of the frame, en- 

 abling the operator to get them of just 

 even length. 



To begin work the levers BB should 

 be turned up (they are accidentally 

 shown downward, in closed position); 



have the machine facing you. as in the 

 cut, place end-pieces of frame between 

 AA and eccentrics, taking care that 

 they rest firmly on the bench and close 

 against the backboard, and with a 

 downward motion of the handles BB 

 secure them firmly to their respective 

 places ; lay the top-piece on the end- 

 pieces, so that the edge and ends touch 

 the screws CC and FF, and nail ; turn 

 the machine over by changing ends, the 

 top-piece being just even with the ma- 

 chine, will then rest on the bench 

 ready for the frame to be finished by 

 nailing on the bottom piece ; another 

 downward motion of the handles will 

 free the end pieces, and the frame may 

 be taken out. 



The next frame requires the same 

 operation with the exception that the 

 end-pieces are fastened and loosened 

 with an upward move of the levers. 



For brood frames we use a machine 

 nearly the same ; it only varies in size 

 and has no set screws ; the top and end 

 pieces being one width the side screws 

 are not needed, and, as we make our 

 top-pieces with shoulders, the end 

 screws are useless. 



We do not use any machine to nail 

 sections ; if the material is got out true 

 they will come right anyhow, unless 

 particular pains are taken to get them 

 otherwise. It seems like a waste of time 

 to bother with any such arrangement 

 for that purpose. 



Naples, N. Y., April 13, 1880. 



For the American Bee Journal. 



How to Get Choice Queen Cells. 



O. II. TOWNSEND. 



A few days before you wish a colony 

 to start queen cells, place a new worker 

 comb (which should lie clean and white) 

 between two combs of brood containing 

 the queen from which you wish to rear 

 queens. (For convenience we will call 

 this hive No. 1.) Keep watch over this 

 comb, and when eggs are found, mark 

 the date on the top bar of the comb; 

 3 days laterthese eggs will be batching. 

 and that is the right time to remove 

 them to a qiieenless colony. (We will 

 call this No. 2.) 



In choosing a colony to build the 

 cells, always select a strong one of pure 

 Italians, if yon have them (hybrids are 

 apt to sting you while removing the 

 cells). Find the queen in No. 2, and re- 

 move her with 2 combs of brood and 

 bees into a new hive (No. 3) on a new 

 stand, and build them up as best you 



