James Self-Spacing Deep Side Bar for Langstroth-style Hives

This deep side bar is intended to be assembled to Betterbee grooved top and bottom bars using stainless-steel hardware from McMaster Carr instead of wood glue, crown staples, nails, etc — many of which can be the source of off-flavors in honey.  

https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/how-to-taste-honey-with-marina-marchese-s5-e32/

I recently read that most epoxies are not rated food safe (for indirect food contact or otherwise) so I am remixing some of my older designs that call for epoxy to be used as an adhesive: 

https://support.jamestowndistributors.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019432633-Can-I-use-West-System-105-Epoxy-as-the-adhesive-in-a-cutting-board-#:~:text=West%20System%20105%20Epoxy%20is,approved%20for%20indirect%20food%20contact.

I source almost all of my beekeeping stuff from Betterbee, for reasons (one of which is that I couldn't find top and bottom bars available for sale on their own in multipacks from the other suppliers):

https://www.betterbee.com/frames/gbbp.asp

https://www.betterbee.com/frames/gtbp-grooved-top-bars.asp

The 316 Stainless Steel hardware used to assemble these frames is from McMaster Carr (they have downloadable .STEP files for almost every single component they sell on their site & a direct integration with Fusion 360, which makes modeling for these components extra simple):

https://www.mcmaster.com/91500A197/

https://www.mcmaster.com/90257A009/

Please note that assembly does require that holes be drilled (& countersunk) into both the top bar & the bottom bar in order to receive & hold the screw, so there is some modification required to a standard wooden top and bottom bar (I source mine from Betterbee, links above).  Due to the fact that the bottom bar groove goes unnecessarily all the way to both ends of the bar, you must take care not to countersink too far into the wood as there is a possibility that it could split.  My first few attempts did not look perfect at the bottom bar area, but they are very strong.  I imagine adding some propolis or hardened shellac to this area would stiffen this up, but I suspect it isn't necessary (just take a look at this area on any of the frames that have spent any time inside a beehive — I think the honey bees will propolize that area for us and it will be smooth and strong).