I was initially planning to use a V shape under the top bar but decided to groove the underside of the top frame bar and insert(glue)a narrow starter strip into the saw kerf for the bees to start their comb. Is 1/2" to 3/4" enough for a starter? I don't plan on using any foundation.
Greg Watkevich
Yes. A bead of wax would work.
1/2" to 3/4" is plenty. I usually just rip down my scraps and use whatever width it is. The bees don't care and you really don't need to wax them.
I'm trying the same by glueing a strip into the groove of the frame. It sticks out around 1/8" - 1/4".
Will see how it goes in a few weeks.
ML
You want sonthing that protrudes at least 1/4" from the rest of the top bar. 1/2" is probably better. Less is more iffy. I prefer wood. Wax gets hot on a hot day and falls out sometimes. Wood glued and nailed will not. And after ten years or more when you are scraping a moth eaten frame, the wood will still be there.
Hmmm, glad I only did 2 or 3 frames for this very reason.
I guess I'll aim for around 10mm protruding then (nice round number for me to remember).
Thanks for the info. It's a snow day and so great for assembling frames. I held off on installing the starter strip until hearing input. My starter strips will protrude below the top bar about 5/8" and have also decided to set up another hive with beveled starter strips.
Greg Watkevich
i think you do need to "glue" in the starter strips to guarantee that they will stay until built out. a little melted wax does the trick. us use a glass syringe, but they also make a wax tube thing for the same purpose. https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=231 (https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=231)
Greg,
Where about in central MA are you? I've got friends in Webster, Oxford, and Fitchburg.
I followed this video by one of our own beekeepers here on this forum. I never had any problems with the wax starter strips collapsing or falling out and we get into the 100's here in the summer.
Check out the video. When you melt beeswax into the grooves on the frames, and on both sides, it really makes for a strong strip.
http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-use-wax-tube-fastener_26.html (http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-use-wax-tube-fastener_26.html)