Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: Astrocycler on January 10, 2010, 06:18:11 PM

Title: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Astrocycler on January 10, 2010, 06:18:11 PM
Good afternoon,

I was wondering what is the correct way to cross wire wax foundation?

Is the wire run then the foundation 'weaved' between the wires so alternate runs are on opposite sides of the foundation? Or,

Is the foundation installed and the wires run on alternate sides? Or,

Does it matter? Or,

Is it OK to run the wire on just one side?

Just getting started but it is obvious the more I know the more I know I don't know.

Thanks for your help.

Have fun

Ed
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: fish_stix on January 10, 2010, 10:06:15 PM
Ed; the correct method is to install the wire first, then the foundation. The wire is then embedded into the wax with either an electric embedding tool or with a spur type embedder. If you're using the crimp wired foundation you only need to wire the two center holes of the deep frames, so that you'll have 2 cross wires to embed. If using plain wax you really need all four holes wired. With medium frames and crimp wired foundation, no wiring is needed. I live south of you in Palm Bay so if you get down this way any time soon call me and I'll show you all the tools we use for this operation and if you'll bring some frames we'll wire some while you're here. 321-725-0898.
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Jim134 on January 11, 2010, 07:02:10 AM
This may help you ???  Robo is one of the staff at Beemaster


http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/)


  BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Astrocycler on January 11, 2010, 08:07:46 PM
Thanks Fish_Stix and JIm... great info and videos... just what I needed.
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Two Bees on January 24, 2010, 09:17:05 AM
Also, you may want to check out FatBeeman's video on "wiring" frames.  He uses fishing line and no eyelets in the end bars.  Just another way of accomplishing the same thing.
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: deknow on January 24, 2010, 11:07:49 AM
Don does quite a bit right...but not this (imho).  frames that were done like this (by don) didn't get drawn well in our apiary.  I tried doing it myself, and for our use, it's a waste of a sheet of foundation to do this.  wire horizontally and embed.

deknow


Quote from: Two Bees on January 24, 2010, 09:17:05 AM
Also, you may want to check out FatBeeman's video on "wiring" frames.  He uses fishing line and no eyelets in the end bars. 

Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Astrocycler on January 24, 2010, 02:00:17 PM
A nearby beekeeper I met recently steered to Fatbeeman. Interesting videos.  It would be fun to spend some time with him.

Interesting about the fishing line cross wire not working.

Because I am just starting, received my equipment this week bees due in mid-April, the plan is to start with everything plain vanilla and expand horizons as I move on.  All the various techniques various beekeepers use make beekeeping interesting.  It's great to learn new things... drives away the boredom.

Keep the info coming as this beginner needs all the info he can get.

Ed
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Jim134 on January 24, 2010, 04:16:19 PM
Fishing line cross wire do NOT work for me (try about 100 frames) it's a waste of time and a sheet of foundation to do this. Wire horizontally and embed.



  BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Astrocycler on January 24, 2010, 06:54:22 PM
Question for those who have had issues with fishing line as cross wire: was it a general problem of foundation strength or an issue during extraction?  Curious minds want to know?

Have fun,

Ed
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: Jim134 on January 24, 2010, 07:52:15 PM
Quote from: Astrocycler on January 24, 2010, 06:54:22 PM
Curious minds want to know?

Have fun,

Ed

Ed........


   Foundation didn't get drawn out well around the fishing line   And look it Reply #5 all so



            BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: Cross Wire Installation
Post by: deknow on January 25, 2010, 12:02:42 PM
although wire does add strength for extracting, this is not the main reason for wiring foundation.

properly done (no matter how you do it), the foundation should be attached firmly to the top bar (either with a wedge, or by attaching with melted wax), _and_ embedded with horizontal wires.  this keeps the foundation from moving around and sagging under the weight and heat of the cluster.

the frames we got from don were done with an "X" of fishing line on either side of the foundation, with no embedding, and not attached to the top bar.  the resulting comb was drawn poorly (especially at the corners).

deknow