How to Use a Frame Assembly Jig to Build Your Own Hive Equipment
This page may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
Hey beekeepers — if you’re like me when I first started, you might’ve built your hive frames one at a time, painstakingly, wondering if there was an easier way. Spoiler: there is. Enter the handy tool: the Mann Lake 10 Frame Assembly Jig — a simple investment that can save you a ton of time, frustration, and money.
Here’s a conversational, helpful walk-through so you can get going, especially if you’re a beginner beekeeper, prepping for self-reliance, or just want to DIY like a champ.
Why Use a Jig
When I started beekeeping, I made my frames one at a time because I didn’t know there was such a thing as a jig. I measured, I clamped, I glued, I hoped—but each one took forever and I was inconsistent.
Using a jig changes that:
-
You can assemble up to 10 frames at once
-
You get consistent spacing, alignment, and quality across all frames.
-
You save time and labour — that means more time actually working with your bees and less time fiddling with tools.
-
For the prepping/homesteading mindset: building your own gear = cost savings + deeper connection with your equipment.
So if you’re building several frames (for multiple hives, or backups, or to have extras on hand) this tool is a no-brainer for $40.
What You Need Before You Begin
Here’s a little checklist (I’m using the Mann Lake 10 Frame Assembly Jig) to get ready:
-
The 10-Frame Assembly Jig kit. Mann Lake
-
Your unassembled frame components: top bars, bottom bars, side bars, whatever style you’re using (Langstroth style fits this jig). The jig “fits all Langstroth frame sizes”.
-
Wood glue or your preferred joinery adhesive (I’m using Titebond).
-
Optional staples, nails, or screws depending on how you build your frames.
-
A worktable or bench.
Step-by-Step: Using the Jig
Here’s how I walk through it — adapt for your gear, your workspace, your style. The goal: build frames quickly, built right, with less headache.
1. Set Up the Jig
Lay the assembly jig out on your worktable. Make sure it’s level and stable. Check that the hardware is tightened and the jig is square and true.
2. Insert Your Frame Components
Set the jig up so that the wood slide out pieces have the open side facing up (so they can slide out from the top). Place your side bars into the jig with the wide end up. Because the jig is designed to hold all the pieces in the correct position, you’ll drop in the components and they’ll line up.
3. Apply Adhesive / Joinery
Once the components are in the jig and aligned, apply wood glue to the joints. If you are in Arizona, where it is dry, the glue dries quickly. Insert all 10 top bars. Thanks to the jig, everything stays square and spaced properly, which means fewer mis-fits when you go to insert the frames in your hive later.
4. Nail or Staple the Top Bars
You will be putting an incredible amount of pull on these frames during their lifetime, so reinforcing the attachment well is of utmost importance. I use 1.5 inch staples in my pneumatic stapler. I just used one staple but 2 would be even better. This goes very quickly. You can also use nails or screws.
5. Flip the jig and attach bottom bars
Once the top bars are attached, simply flip the jig over and repeat the process of gluing and stapling the bottom bars to the frame sides.
For more help:
I really found this video useful. This is the exact frame jig that I have.
If you have any questions, or need help with your jig, please don’t hesitate to message me.
Tools Used in This Project
-
Unassembled Wooden Frames
-
Wood Glue (Tite Bond or Gorilla Glue)
-
Brad Nailer or Staple Gun (optional but useful for speed)
- 1 1/4 inch staples
-
Rubber Mallet (for tapping the top and bottom bars in)
I’m Here For You
For weekly updates on beekeeping in Arizona and what do do with your bee products, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive a FREE Quick Guide to Beekeeping in Arizona. You’ll love it!
If you would like more personalized help, book a mentorship session with me. Simply send me a message and we can set it up.
Pin Me!
Related Posts
How to Use a Frame Assembly Jig to Build Your Own Hive Equipment
This page may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
Hey beekeepers — if you’re like me when I first started, you might’ve built your hive frames one at a time, painstakingly, wondering if there was an easier way. Spoiler: there is. Enter the handy tool: the Mann Lake 10 Frame Assembly Jig — a simple investment that can save you a ton of time, frustration, and money.
Here’s a conversational, helpful walk-through so you can get going, especially if you’re a beginner beekeeper, prepping for self-reliance, or just want to DIY like a champ.
Why Use a Jig
When I started beekeeping, I made my frames one at a time because I didn’t know there was such a thing as a jig. I measured, I clamped, I glued, I hoped—but each one took forever and I was inconsistent.
Using a jig changes that:
-
You can assemble up to 10 frames at once
-
You get consistent spacing, alignment, and quality across all frames.
-
You save time and labour — that means more time actually working with your bees and less time fiddling with tools.
-
For the prepping/homesteading mindset: building your own gear = cost savings + deeper connection with your equipment.
So if you’re building several frames (for multiple hives, or backups, or to have extras on hand) this tool is a no-brainer for $40.
What You Need Before You Begin
Here’s a little checklist (I’m using the Mann Lake 10 Frame Assembly Jig) to get ready:
-
The 10-Frame Assembly Jig kit. Mann Lake
-
Your unassembled frame components: top bars, bottom bars, side bars, whatever style you’re using (Langstroth style fits this jig). The jig “fits all Langstroth frame sizes”.
-
Wood glue or your preferred joinery adhesive (I’m using Titebond).
-
Optional staples, nails, or screws depending on how you build your frames.
-
A worktable or bench.
Step-by-Step: Using the Jig
Here’s how I walk through it — adapt for your gear, your workspace, your style. The goal: build frames quickly, built right, with less headache.
1. Set Up the Jig
Lay the assembly jig out on your worktable. Make sure it’s level and stable. Check that the hardware is tightened and the jig is square and true.
2. Insert Your Frame Components
Set the jig up so that the wood slide out pieces have the open side facing up (so they can slide out from the top). Place your side bars into the jig with the wide end up. Because the jig is designed to hold all the pieces in the correct position, you’ll drop in the components and they’ll line up.
3. Apply Adhesive / Joinery
Once the components are in the jig and aligned, apply wood glue to the joints. If you are in Arizona, where it is dry, the glue dries quickly. Insert all 10 top bars. Thanks to the jig, everything stays square and spaced properly, which means fewer mis-fits when you go to insert the frames in your hive later.
4. Nail or Staple the Top Bars
You will be putting an incredible amount of pull on these frames during their lifetime, so reinforcing the attachment well is of utmost importance. I use 1.5 inch staples in my pneumatic stapler. I just used one staple but 2 would be even better. This goes very quickly. You can also use nails or screws.
5. Flip the jig and attach bottom bars
Once the top bars are attached, simply flip the jig over and repeat the process of gluing and stapling the bottom bars to the frame sides.
For more help:
I really found this video useful. This is the exact frame jig that I have.
If you have any questions, or need help with your jig, please don’t hesitate to message me.
Tools Used in This Project
-
Unassembled Wooden Frames
-
Wood Glue (Tite Bond or Gorilla Glue)
-
Brad Nailer or Staple Gun (optional but useful for speed)
- 1 1/4 inch staples
-
Rubber Mallet (for tapping the top and bottom bars in)
I’m Here For You
For weekly updates on beekeeping in Arizona and what do do with your bee products, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive a FREE Quick Guide to Beekeeping in Arizona. You’ll love it!
If you would like more personalized help, book a mentorship session with me. Simply send me a message and we can set it up.
Pin Me!
