Beekeeping Top Feeder Lid Holder

thingiverse

I ordered some top sugar water feeders for my bee hives and the lids were warped and wouldn't stay put. These hold down the lid quiet nicely and are easy to use. Each "holder" requires 2 - M4x20mm phillips head screws and lock nuts to attach them to your top board. They also need an M4x30mm hex head bolt and an M4 nut (not lock nuts). So in total if you are using 4 as I did in the picture, you will need the following printed parts and hardware. Hardware: 8 - M4x20mm Phillips Head Screws 8 - M4 Lock Nuts 4 - M4x30mm Hex Bolt 4 - M4 Nuts Printed Parts: 4 - RoundHolderOnePiece 4 - NewRoundSpinner 4 - NewRoundCap Print all parts with 15-25% infill. All parts should be oriented correctly but if not, on the RoundHolderOnePiece, you will need to orient it so the "foot" with two holes is flat on the build plate and use supports. Because the other parts were designed on an angle to apply pressure when holding lid, you will need to orient the flat side of the NewRoundCap to your build plate. The NewRoundSpinner needs to be oriented so that the hex hole in it faces up. Once printed, place a regular M4 nut in the hex hole of the RoundHolderOnePiece. This should be a snug fit. I did end up dropping some super glue on mine before inserting them into the hex hole. Insert the M4x30mm hex bolt into the Spinner and push it until it seats in the hex hole of the spinner. Slide the NewRoundCap with the "bubble" side facing down onto the M4 hex bolt and slide it up against the spinner. Simply screw this assembly into the RoundHolderOnePiece from the top until it engages the nut you inserted in the first step and snug it up. Make 4 of these assemblies. Mark your top board and drill the holes for the feet. Fasten them to your top board with the M4 phillips screws and lock nuts. I did offset these holders about 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch away from the feeder itself. This allows for easy removal of the lid once installed and allows clearance for the spinner. Please notice that each holder and Cap will be at a slight angle downward. This ensures that the "bubble" part of each cap makes good contact with the lid. If you have questions, ask away. I know a simple rock or piece of brick or something heavy does the same thing. This is just something I tried to see if it would work and it does. This adds practically no weight and you don't have to worry about a rock or brick breaking through the lid if it becomes brittle. Let me know if you have suggestions. Thanks!