In a nutshell - weather-proofing. I got the idea to scorch the boxes from a Japanese beekeeper on YouTube who goes by the handle "mituro36", the information from whom is all in Japanese. So I did because it, in his demonstartion, he did it. With a little investigation I found that archeologists had discovered relics from Neolithic people would burned the points and edges of their wooden tools to harden and strengthen them.
A few of the concepts that went into these hives are taken from fairly disparate sources and require a certain amount of "engineering" for lack of a better term. Basically, I'm making shit up as I go and trying to make it work, fit, and function. Going back to the idea of the Primal Response from your own experience "painting the boxes with fire" is the most Zen and relaxing step after what can be a fairly frustraing afternoon in the woodshop ;)
My top bar hives are painted with a 1:20 heated mixture of beeswax to boiled linseed oil. This is messy and not-so-very Zen process, but the finish does certainly hold up well to the elements.
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A few of the concepts that went into these hives are taken from fairly disparate sources and require a certain amount of "engineering" for lack of a better term. Basically, I'm making shit up as I go and trying to make it work, fit, and function. Going back to the idea of the Primal Response from your own experience "painting the boxes with fire" is the most Zen and relaxing step after what can be a fairly frustraing afternoon in the woodshop ;)
My top bar hives are painted with a 1:20 heated mixture of beeswax to boiled linseed oil. This is messy and not-so-very Zen process, but the finish does certainly hold up well to the elements.