I received my new Dadant bee suit VO1170 and took it out for a test run today. Geared up and went to an old abandoned house with a bee hive nesting in the outer wall of the house. I had an unusual surprise once I arrived at the house. As I got out of my truck, I put on my veil/hat and was beginning to zipper it down. A truck was driving by and quickly stopped. This guy gets out and comes over to me snapping pictures with his cell phone and saying "Wow, I've never seen a real beekeeper before". It was great. I went over to observe the bees and a few come around me and were just checking me out. Occasionally one would bump my veil. I slowly walked away about 12 steps or so and they just ignored me then. Once I was comfortable with my first test, I went back and aggravated them and the action picked up quickly. Several bees came out and began to bump my veil aggressively. I just waited to see if the suit would protect me and it performed perfectly. Walking away 20-30 steps did not stop the bees. A few were still aggressively on my veil, buzzing me. It was a great new experience.
Question: I have received my frames, etc. from Dadant. I purchased the Wedge Top Bar frames. Opened the box and correctly identified the bottom bar and end pieces. However, once I identified the top bar, I identified the wedge but they did not saw completely through and the wedge is attached to the bar by a small sliver of wood.
How do I get the wedge off of the top bar without destroying the wedge.
I bet we all do it a bit differently but I run my leatherman (or similarly sharp knife) parallel to the inside edge of the top bar after I have pryed off the wedge. It is soft pine and will come off relatively easy. I flip the wedge around so the rough edge is facing me when I reattached to the bar, if there is too much excess sticking out I will cut it off as well. After a 100 frames or so it comes easy.
Those bees seem a bit angry be careful before you bring em back to the yard, and grats on the new suit.
The wedge just snaps out
At about 7:20 in the first video -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/)