You will need a hand drill with a #6 counter sink bit. This is used to create some countersinks so that the heads of the screws used to hold the index strips are below the surface of the template.

A medium size Phillips screwdriver. This is used to tighten the screws used to hold the template together.

A drill driver bit may also be used.

Step 1

Start by removing all the cutouts from the slots and holes if they are still in-place.

Set the index strips aside during template assembly.

Step 2

Take the part labeled #4 and add the 21 1/2” machine screws shown here. They are installed from the bottom and should be sticking up. The screws are designed to fit tight and strip out the holes.

Step 3

Add some glue to the part as shown here. Try not to get too close to the screws. Use thin beads. If your beads are too large you will need to smear them with an old credit card.

Note this photo does not show the index strip cutouts. It was taken before I added the extra strips to the kit.

Step 4

Take the cardboard spacer and place it over the ends of the screws as shown here.

Step 5

Add some glue to the spacer.

Note that you don’t need to add glue to the two tab areas as I did here.

Step 6

Install part #2 over the screws as shown here.

You will have to flip the assembly over and drive the screws until they protrude through the other side.

Step 7

Install #6 nuts on all the screws and tighten with a screwdriver.

Be sure to include the two tabs.

Step 8

As an option I like to add some spring clamps to the four corners.

Let the glue dry for a couple hours.

Step 9

Repeat the process by inserting 10 #6, 1/2” screws into the holes in part #3, as shown here. If you don’t have enough screws, you can remove the screws from the previous steps once that assembly is dry.

Step 10

Add thin beads of glue to part as shown here:

Step 11

Add the remaining cardboard spacer as shown here:

Step 12

Apply more glue.

Step 13

Install part #1 and tighten the screws as before.

Step 14

Secure with nuts and tighten.

Step 15

Again, as an option apply four spring clamps to the corners.

Step 16

Remove the nuts from the tabs on the #4/#2 assembly as shown here.

Step 17

Add glue to the two tabs.

Step 18

Place the #3/#1 assembly over the #4/#2 assembly, as shown here.

Finess the parts together while tightening the screws.

Step 20

Add nuts and tighten.

Step 21

Allow the glue to fully cure, then remove all the nuts and screws.

Your finished template should look like the one shown here.

To setup the template to mill the right or left panels, index strips need to be installed under the template.

Shown here is the setup for the template to mill the right-side panel.

Note the strips are installed below the template.

Shown here is the setup for the template to mill the left-side panel.

Note the strips are installed below the template.

Step 1

Drill countersinks for the screws that will attach the index strip.

The arrows shown here are the locations for the countersinks to be added to the template in right side panel mode.

The countersinks need to be deep enough for the heads of the screws to be below the surface of the template.

Step 2

Install the two strips using three #6 x 5/16 flat head screws in each.

I like to install one screw firs with the strip sticking out here.

Shown here is the right-side panel setup for milling the top and middle sections of the hive.

To cut the slots in the lower section of the right-side panel the index strip is moved to the top as shown here.

To setup for the left panel, the template is flipped and the index strips are installed under the template in the positions shown here.

Shown here are the locations for the countersinks for the left-side panel setup.

The template with the left-side panel index installed.