Name: V-profile for horizontal hive bar | TBH | Top bar hive foundation starter | Comb guides
Brand: Apiobi
SKU: 886
Availability: InStock

V-profile for horizontal hive bar | TBH | Top bar hive foundation starter | Comb guides

Support for frames, bars, slats and bars for beehives: solid, adaptable and tested up to 6 kg.
The practical tool for amateur and professional beekeepers!

🆔 N° DESIGN : 886

⚙︎ Formats : STL

𐊵 Version : 1.0

⦸ No AI - No virus

✏︎ Concepteur : M@t - apiobi

🗓 Publié le : 6 March 2026

💬 Échanges : 0

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VAT 0% : VAT not applicable, Art. 293 B of the French General Tax Code
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Description

A simplified contribution to beekeeping

Today, I'm making my modest contribution to the work done by all those involved in the development of beekeeping. Such is the case of those who help to build hives and/or accessories from salvaged wood and untreated pallets, with handcrafted equipment and natural, chemical-free management methods: this is simplified beekeeping.

Unfortunately, a lot of tutorials, plans and explanations are aimed at DIY enthusiasts who are heavily equipped with machines designed for carpenters and cabinetmakers, which is not my case. It's very frustrating to see a video where the author explains that it's very easy to make, when in fact he has professional equipment costing several thousand euros, isn't it?

My Top Bar hive project

I am currently finishing the construction of a Kenyan-type horizontal hive (TOP BAR HIVE) thanks to the informative content, pragmatic explanations and books dedicated to natural beekeeping and Phil Chandler's Top Bar hives.

Thanks Philip!

My new hive is finished and I'm making the top bars (comb guides) from 430 mm in length and 22 mm thick, with a V-shaped profile.

The proposed 3D model

I suggest this 3D V-profile model, 380 mm long (Exactly 377 mm to support wood and cutting imperfections in particular 😉).

Its manufacturing cost in PETG is derisory compared to the indecent prices of commercial V or round wooden profiles, such as triangular rods. 15 × 15 × 15 mm which, moreover, are not really adapted.

The angle of 30° allows good tracking of the profile along the sides of the hive.
The expertise of Philip Chandler recommends that the profile abut against the side lengths. It's done! Hence the flat before the angle at the ends.

➡️ It is glue with wood glue.
From impressions under the profile have been added to facilitate attachment.

Free but not without value

Even if the free stuff has no value, even if designing functional products is my full and passionate professional activity, this 3D profile is free of charge.

A comments to give meaning to this project , a share on your networks by quoting apiobi, a thank you will make my day and keep it free.

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that free access does not necessarily mean profit from this file and products or derivatives made from this 3D model.

Please respect intellectual property!

One last word

Taking care of bees is protecting humanity, isn't it?

Thanks for them,
humanity is deaf.

Technical Tips for 3D Printing

Very easy to print flat in one go if you have a 3d printer with a large print area.
If you ask me, I can divide it up.

This V-shaped profile needs to be printed with a “coarse” finish to ensure good adhesion of the combed wax on top and the glue underneath.
I use a 0.6mm nozzle and you can finally take your brand new 0.8 or 1mm nozzle out of the bag 😉
Quality: over 0.3mm

PETG recommended as it is neutral and resists humidity from the beehive or other technical filaments, but certainly not PLA!
You can easily adjust the length of the piece by modifying its length in your favorite slicer.

I can only urge you to invest in a filament approved for food contact and certified. It's a little more expensive, but provides a welcome safety feature.