Cleated Hive Boxes

Cleat handles make it so much easier and safer to lift heavy brood boxes and honey supers.  No wonder they are still popular in many parts of the world.  It takes a little more wood to make them, but they strengthen the boxes, whereas cup handles weaken the box.  

Rabbet Joints for Better Protection: Here in the Northwest, our biggest problem with wood hive boxes is moisture deterioration.  Box joints are particularly vulnerable to moistures absorption because they have twice the end grain and triple the joint seam length compared to rabbet jointed boxes.  Our rabbet joints are generously glued and mechanically fastened with heavy gauge, wide crown staples  that penetrate deep onto the wood, making for an incredibly strong joint. More importantly, these joints greatly reduce end grain exposure and seam exposure at the corners, making them highly durable when painted.  These premium cleated supers offer easier handling, superior weather protection at the joints, and excellent value.