Last spring I had built a pry-scale with which I could monitor the changing weight of the hives. The scale worked fine but the bottom board could not tolerate the strain. The bottom boards have a small cross piece to support the tray. My bottom box is different than the one pictured below, but you can see a piece of wood below the white tray. This is about 3/4" square and held on with staples.
When the hives were heavy, the strip of wood was pried away from the box.
I still wanted to monitor the weight, so I had to figure out a way to re-enforce the bottom. I first used a piece of hard wood flooring. I used a router to make a space for the pry-scale levers, but this weakened the plank allowing it to bend too much. Then I thought of using a metal strap.
I got 3/8" steel straps.
Using my reciprocating saw, I cut them into 16-1/4" lengths, then drilled holes in the ends. I beveled the holes so the screw head would not protrude.
The straps were screwed onto the bottom of the boards.
I tested one placing a cinder block and several heavy stones on it and it worked. Now I will have an extra duty in the apiary next spring.
This photo has nothing to do with my bees. The mushrooms were alongside the bike path in Ireland.
When the hives were heavy, the strip of wood was pried away from the box.
