I just got quite a deal on alot of used hive parts. I want to install new foundation in all the frames, which I have never done before. Do you always wire the frames? Where do I go to find out how to do that if needed?
youtube has a wealth of info on such things as this. Some of it is useless but if you wade through the bs there are some really good videos.
How to wire a bee hive frame, and embed foundation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xljKaH7R2-Q#)
Only the guy did not install grommets, or whatever they are called, so wire will chew itself into the wood?
In my opinion, it is best to wire all frames other than those for comb honey production, even foundationless frames. The wires cure many headaches.
Quote from: iddee on February 04, 2011, 04:39:43 PM
In my opinion, it is best to wire all frames other than those for comb honey production, even foundationless frames. The wires cure many headaches.
Ditto.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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That guy in the video is not a specialist. Very clumsy.
Finally he uses wrong size foundation and loose 20% of them to waste.
wiring is very necessary when you extract the honey.
I use now 2 wires in Langstroth. It is enough and faster than 4 or 3 wires.
I use fishing line to wire frames. Cheaper & easier.
Quote from: AllenF on February 04, 2011, 09:42:50 PM
I use fishing line to wire frames. Cheaper & easier.
Yup, me too. Fatbeeman has a youtube video out there on how to. Very easy, quick, and free if you have the line kicking around.
I use just one nail with the fishing line instead of 2. Works great.
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Never heard about fishing line. How do you embed the line into wax?
But here it is http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/framewiring.html (http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/framewiring.html)
At least the embedding is quick with steel wire. It takes 10 seconds to embed when I give electrict to the heads of wire. Car acculoader is handy or circuit where is 1000 w heater inside the circuit.
The wax should be embedded in temp +25C that it rest evenly on wires.
If the wire is too thin, it sinks into wood. Take a thicker wire.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FatBeeMan#p/u/1/fwYrT8XhKf4 (http://www.youtube.com/user/FatBeeMan#p/u/1/fwYrT8XhKf4) For the install with fishing line. But I use one nail and wrap the lines around the one nail. Make an x on the front and the back of the foundation. Very quick. Wax will not twist or sag or turn into a s. No need to embed the line. Everyone has a old spool or two of old line that's too short for a reel.
Quote from: Finski on February 05, 2011, 01:52:55 AM
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If the wire is too thin, it sinks into wood. Take a thicker wire.
Finski.........
:? Do you use eyelets so you will not cut in to the wood :?
I will post pix if you like me to.
Frames & Frame Assembly - Part 3 - Eyelets and Assembly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OYPSBevkrk#)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Quote from: Jim 134 on February 05, 2011, 05:18:52 AM
Finski.........
:? Do you use eyelets so you will not cut in to the wood :?
During 48 years once. They are awfull. There are 3 thicknes of wires. The strongest does not sink into wood.
You may reuse the stongest wires when you melt the comb and boil the frames clean with 3% lye.
Reuse means that don't brake the wiring.
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With fishing line, seems no one ever suggests what pound test to use. I have 2pd 4pd and most everything in between to spider wire up to 50 pd. So, what does one think is best or does it matter?
I tried 15 lb and it snapped frequently when I tightened it up and had a few break while in the hive. Maybe the bees chewed through it. I use 30 lb now and can get it nice and tight without snapping and no breakage in the hive. The tighter the better because it seems to self-embed itself.
I think the spool I was using last week was 12 pound. Never got it to snap, had to cut it every time.
I've just go to where I wire both honey and brood frames. Not a big deal. I have used both metal wire and fishing line. Have just started to experiment with fishing line on my comb honey frames since they should make it easier to cut blocks of comb to put in containers.
There is no reason to wire frames that are for honey comb production.
Yeah, that's what I heard. But last summer, I had a problem with the foundation curling due to the heat before the bees could drawn them. So, I thought I would try a little fishing line just to keep them straight. Before I cut the comb, I'll just clip and pull the line out.
Quote from: Two Bees on February 06, 2011, 11:32:07 PM
Yeah, that's what I heard. But last summer, I had a problem with the foundation curling due to the heat before the bees could drawn them. So, I thought I would try a little fishing line just to keep them straight. Before I cut the comb, I'll just clip and pull the line out.
Curling of the foundation happens if it is same size as frame. When you cut 10 mm off that you leave a gap between foundation and lover frame bar, it will be OK.