Is tongue and groove a problem?

[Lautarinho]

I have several metres of 18mm thick Cedar planks (at no cost) but they're only 90mm wide and they're tongue and groove, which means that if I slot them together to get the required width there will be a small indent along the join inside the hive. Will this cause a problem?

Could I use a natural or organic wood filler?

 

[pargyle]

I have several metres of 18mm thick Cedar planks (at no cost) but they're only 90mm wide and they're tongue and groove, which means that if I slot them together to get the required width there will be a small indent along the join inside the hive. Will this cause a problem?

Could I use a natural or organic wood filler?

You usually find that the groove is only on one side of the T & G - the other side will make the planks butt up together ? Use the grooved side on the outside of the hive ... if it is grooved on both sides I wouldn't worry about filling it smooth - its not going to make a lot of difference and if the bees don't like it they will just smooth it out with propolis (unlikely !).

 

[oliver90owner]

Just remember they need to be used the right way up! You may be OK, but I have seen a panel where the water ran into the groove!

 

[pargyle]

Just remember they need to be used the right way up! You may be OK, but I have seen a panel where the water ran into the groove!

Yes ... this is correct. I tend to run a bead of exterior grade PVA glue along the tenon which will help seal any minor gaps. Just to assist - the tenon (tongue) needs to point upwards when the hive has been built ...

 

[Lautarinho]

Thanks people. Will go with it. Will it still need staining?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Will it still need staining?

Yes...or painting if you want it a different colour.