Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Africanized on April 24, 2013, 11:47:16 PM

Title: best width for wax foundation machine?
Post by: Africanized on April 24, 2013, 11:47:16 PM
Here's a question for those who have their own wax foundation machine...

I'm planning to buy a wax foundation mill, part of a project with a friend, and we have to choose between 310 mm (12.2") and 450 mm (17.7")  Standard deep foundation (for 9.5" frames) is the widest size we will ever make.  The 12.2" machine seems wide enough for deep foundation, but I wonder if one introduces a wax sheet a little crooked, the extra width of the 17.7" machine might be an advantage.  The wider machine is only about $250 more than the narrower one.

Any advice on which one to buy, based entirely on width of the rollers?
Title: Re: best width for wax foundation machine?
Post by: Michael Bush on April 25, 2013, 11:55:12 AM
A deep foundation is only 8 1/2" deep or so.  12.2 seems plenty wide for that.  Even a Dadant Deep is only 10 1/2" deep.

Title: Re: best width for wax foundation machine?
Post by: Africanized on April 25, 2013, 12:09:54 PM
Yeah, I think you're right.  The foundation would have to be fed in pretty crooked for 12.2" to be too narrow.