AUSTRALIAN

MADE

If we look after the bees they will look after us,

and the honey really is an amazing bonus.

FLOW® HIVE ASSEMBLY GUIDE

Flow® Hive Classic 6 Frame • Flow® Hive Classic 7 Frame
Flow® Classic Super (6 Frame or 7 Frame) • Flow® Brood Box
 COMPLETE ASSEMBLY

FLOW HIVE
CLASSIC

PAGES

3–7

Flow
Hive NOTE
Classic Classic 6 Frame Roof - pg 6
6 Frame Classic 7 Frame Roof - pg 7
shown

• Read all instructions first.

• If you are unfamiliar with wood work, you may like to ask a friend or someone
from your nearest beekeeping club to help.
• We’ve put together some great assembly support videos, view them here:
www.honeyflow.com/assembly.
• Timber is a natural product and will expand and contract in different climate conditions.

Tools you will need for assembly (not supplied):

• carpenter’s square • power drill with • sandpaper
phillips head bit
• clamps (optional) – • drill bits 3mm-4mm
(use low torque
one that opens at least (3/32"–1/8") for
setting) or a phillips
41cm and one that pre-drilling.
head screwdriver
opens 51cm
• suitable finish
• non-toxic glue
• hammer (see page 8)
 COMPONENT ASSEMBLY

FLOW BROOD BOX

& BROOD FRAMES

PAGES

3&4

FLOW CLASSIC
SUPER

PAGES

4&5

FLOW HIVE ROOF

PAGES

6&7

NOTE: Classic 6 Frame Roof - pg 6 • Classic 7 Frame Roof - pg 7

PAGE
TIMBER FINISHES & HIVE SETUP 8

ASSEMBLY VIDEOS BEGINNER VIDEOS MEET THE BEEKEEPER

honeyflow.com/assembly honeyflow.com/beginner-videos honeyflow.com/mtb

 COMPONENTS OF A FLOW HIVE CLASSIC

FLOW
HIVE
ROOF

INNER
COVER Flow Key
Access
Cover
Side Observation
Window Cover
Latch

SUPER
Your Flow® Rear
Frames will Observation
Latch Window
sit in here
Cover

QUEEN
EXCLUDER

BROOD
BOX
with Brood
Frames

Flow Hive
Classic
6 Frame
shown SCREENED
BOTTOM
BOARD
with corflute slider

2
 BROOD BOX ASSEMBLY
PARTS HARDWARE

24 x 1 3/4" 8G
pan head screws
To assemble box
sides and ends

• 2 x box side panels • 2 x box end panels

Note: There are no aligning strips

NOTE: Rebate/rabbet is at top

ASSEMBLY

1. Cut binding tape and lay out all pieces of your brood box. 4. Check if the box is square using the carpenter’s square.
2. On a flat surface, dry fit all the pieces together to make Adjust the clamps and box as needed to get it into
a box (as per the illustration above). Be sure they fit alignment. If you don’t have a carpenter’s square you can
together tightly and the handles are on the upper outside make visual checks or line up the box with the corner of a
of the box. Some force may be necessary to get the square table.
fingers together, however if it looks like the wood could 5. Screw the pieces together, checking as you go along
split use sandpaper to adjust finger size. that the box is square and that the upper edges are level.
3. If you are using clamps, apply one on each side of the Be careful not to over-tighten the screws once flush
brood box toward the top. The clamps will aid in box with the timber surface. Each hive is unique and may
assembly by holding the pieces in place as you install have imperfections from the woodworking process. use
screws. Note: insert a slip of cardboard between the sandpaper to smooth any areas where required. Apply
clamp head and timber to avoid the clamp leaving a mark. a suitable timber finish to the outside of your brood box
If you don’t have a clamp make sure the joints are held (see page 8).
firmly together before driving in screws, pressing the
opposite end of the box against a wall can help.

3
 BROOD FRAME ASSEMBLY
PARTS (SHOWN FOR SINGLE FRAME ONLY) See illustration on right
1. Lay out all the pieces for a single frame on a flat surface.
2. Apply a small amount of glue to the u-shape slots on the end
• 1 x top bar panels, then fit the top and bottom bars into the slots. Glue
is not 100% necessary but will make the frame more robust.

• 1 x comb guide
3. Check that the frame is square, then nail all pieces together.
4. Glue comb guides in only when using natural foundation (if
you plan to use a plastic or wax foundation, not supplied,
• 1 x bottom bar do not use the comb guide strips) in your brood box - turn
frame upside down, add a few drops of glue to the slot on
the underside of top bar and insert the comb guide.
HARDWARE
• 2 x end 5. Repeat for remaining frames.
panels
4 x nails 6. When frames are placed in the brood box, centre them so
per frame extra space is towards the outside edges of the box. The
frames sit loosely in the Brood Box as they are designed to
allow the bees to draw their own comb.

FLOW SUPER ASSEMBLY

PARTS

• 2 x side panels • 1 x front panel • 1 x Flow® Key access cover • 1 x observation window
(1 with observation window) • 1 x aluminium bracing strip • 1 x rear fixed panel • 1 x window cover
• 1 x rear window cover • 1 x rear window latch

HARDWARE

2 x observation 20 x 1 3/4" 8G 2 x 3/4" 6G 3 x 1" 6G 5 x 1" M4 4 x 3/8" 6G

window latches pan head screws countersink pan head screws metal thread pan head
head screw and springs screws screws
To assemble box
sides and ends To affix metal To secure To secure To secure
5 x 23mm dia wooden knobs window
strip observation and
wooden knobs rear window
latches

See illustration on right about the width of a credit card, between the rear
1. Lay out all the pieces of your Flow® super. window cover and the box side (see inset diagram).
The metal bracing strip sits across the notched ends.
2. Dry fit all the pieces together to make a box (as per the
Screw the metal strip in place (pre-drilling may avoid
illustration on right). Be sure they fit together tightly and
the handles are on the upper outside of the super. splitting the wood).
3. If you are using clamps, clamp all the pieces together as You may wish to apply a suitable timber finish before
per the brood box construction to assist while inserting installing window and latches
screws. Screw the pieces together checking that the 5. Remove protective plastic from both sides of
super is square as you go along. observation window. Install into the rebate on the inside
IMPORTANT NOTE: do not screw the rear window cover face of side panel and screw into place.
in place as this piece will be used to gain access to the 6. Add the knobs to the rear and side observation window
Flow Frames. covers and Flow Key access cover. Insert the springs into
4. To affix the metal bracing strip, turn the super upside the recesses on the latches before screwing them
down. Put the rear window cover in place. To maintain to the super. The springs will prevent over-tightening of
clearance, temporarily place some packing material, the screws.

4
 glue

glue

glue

The number of
Brood Frames will
depend on the Flow
Hive Model: Flow Hive
Classic 6 Frame comes
with 8 Brood Frames;
glue Flow Hive Classic 7
ASSEMBLY Frame comes with
10 Brood Frames.

ASSEMBLY NOTE: Pre-installed

aligning strips on
inside of Flow® Super

Do not screw this

cover in place

Metal
bracing
strip

NOTE: Finger joints on

rear cover area do not
have pre-drilled holes

5
 FLOW HIVE ROOF ASSEMBLY - CLASSIC 6 FRAME
PARTS

• 1 x ridge cap

• 1 x front gable (taller)

• 2 x side rails

• 1 x rear gable (shorter) • 6 x 'shingle' panels HARDWARE

6 x 1 3/4" 8G 12 x 1 3/8" 8G
pan head screws pan head screws

TIP: You may wish to pre-

ASSEMBLY drill pilot holes to reduce
the risk of wood splitting.

NOTE: You will need to raise rear (shorter)

gable so the top angle is flush with the top
angle of side rails

1. Lay out all the pieces of the roof and ensure you have all on the top of the side rails. You may wish to pre-drill the holes
the parts. Dry fit the pieces together (as per the illustration then partially insert screws so they are slightly protruding from
above). You can use the Inner Cover to keep the frame square the back of the gable to help you align with the holes in the side
and to prop the rear gable to the correct height for assembly. rails. Clamp the parts while screwing. Check to see that this roof
See our video at www.honeyflow.com/assembly base is square before attaching shingles.
NOTE: The long screws should be used to assemble the 4. Align the ridge cap on the roof apex between the front and rear
roof base and affix the ridge cap. The short screws should gables and screw down.
be used to affix the roof shingles. 5. Slide the top shingles under the overhang on the ridge cap and
2. Align and screw the front gable (this is the taller gable) to the ensure they sit firmly against it. Screw down to secure (do not
side rails. The side rails do not have pre-drilled holes. You may over tighten). Slide the next shingles under the recess of the
pre-drill to reduce the risk of wood splitting. first shingles and make sure they are flush front and back. Screw
3. Lift the rear gable so the angle on the top is flush with the angle down and repeat for remaining shingles. Tighten all screws.

6
 FLOW HIVE ROOF ASSEMBLY - CLASSIC 7 FRAME
PARTS

• 1 x ridge cap

• 1 x front gable (taller)

• 2 x side rails

• 1 x rear gable (shorter) • 6 x 'shingle' panels HARDWARE

8 x 1 3/4” 8G 12 x 1 3/8" 8G
pan head screws pan head screws

ASSEMBLY TIP: You may wish to pre-

drill pilot holes to reduce
the risk of wood splitting.

NOTE: You will need to raise rear (shorter)

gable so the top angle is flush with the top
angle of side rails

For assembly instructions, see left

7
 TIMBER FINISHES
Applying a suitable wood finish will improve weather applying a non-toxic, no- or low-VOC timber finish to the
protection and increase the life of your timber hive. outside of the hive only, the inside of the door covers and
Araucaria (Hoop Pine) We recommend painting the ends of the latches
outside of the hive with a paint primer followed by a Flow Hive Roof To create a good weather seal on the roof
good quality exterior grade paint. we recommend painting with exterior grade paint. Apply
Western Red Cedar If you would like to preserve a primer first then use two coats of paint, apply liberally to
the natural timber finish of your hive we recommend the joins between shingles to create a good weather seal.

FLOW HIVE CONFIGURATIONS

STARTING YOUR COLONY CONFIGURATION ESTABLISHED COLONY CONFIGURATION
Set up your brood box with frames, inner cover and Super with Flow Frames once your colony
roof only while your bees are growing in numbers and is strong and established. Inner cover is placed
building comb. We cover the feeder hole of the inner on top of the super. It is possible to add extra brood
cover with screen mesh or a piece of wood. Insert boxes or supers once your colony is established and
corflute slider in lower slot of hive base. This can be expanding. Speak to your local beekeeping club for
moved to upper slot when harvesting. region specific advice.

Roof
Inner
cover

Roof Super

Inner Queen
cover Excluder

Brood
Box Brood
Box

Screened Screened
Bottom Bottom
Board Board

BEE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

For beekeeping info and assembly instructions go to: www.honeyflow.com/assembly
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8
 Australian Made
Flow Hive Assembly Guide
Revision: 05.17

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