I am converting to all mediums. It was easy to cut the foundationless comb out of the old deep frames, cut it in half lengthwise and rubber band it in medium frames. Then I found 4 frames of hard foundation that must have come with a nuc.
Got any ideas how to get it to medium? It seems to be pretty hard plastic under the comb. Or maybe I should just scrape the wax off and pitch the foundation...?
Tablesaw maybe?
If they are the solid plastic frames, they make a mess when cut with a saw, if there wooden frames with plastic foundation, take a circular saw(cordless works best) adjust blade depth,cut side bars to length, cut foundation with kitchen sheers, (cut a little shorter than side bars, make bottom bar scrapes,so that it just fits inside side bars an staple or nail
Just talked to another beek that uses plastic foundation, he said some of the plastic can be cut with sheets and some can't
Run some mediums alongside the deep frames above a queen excluder till the brood hatches out and trash it out. You'll probably have some burr comb on the mediums, but I don't think they could get in that much trouble.
I just started my first two hives not long ago. I traded some new small cell plastic frames for four drawn frames to help get my ladies a start. I know people that sell those for ten bucks each when they have them. A newbee would love to get their hands on those.
The plastic foundation that I have I cut with a utility knife. Score it several times and then bend it and it snaps apart. I have been putting half sheets in the frames to give room for the bees to draw drone comb on each end. In your case, I don't know if it is worth the work to save the drawn comb. I guess it depends on how much time you want to spend on it.
Great suggestions, everyone! Thanks so much. My husband said maybe it's time for me to learn to use the multi tool. I heart power tools.
When I switched to mediums I took a medium frame and used it to set the fence on my bandsaw. Then I just used it to cut the empty drawn plastic deep frames to the same size as the mediums except they have no bottoms. I still find them occasionally when we pull honey. I have not had any problems with them in my motorized extractor.
You could also use a hack saw with the blade turned sideways to do this by hand. Just scratch a straight line in the comb to follow.
Jim
Thanks, Jim!