First shot at Foundationless

[biggraham610]

And Loving It!! G   :chop:

[HomeSteadDreamer]

I love my foundationless too.  Look like you are off to a good start.

[Better.to.Bee.than.not]

ya, I fell for the "Must buy lots of stuff, because buying stuff means I am doing something." aspect of beekeeping also when I first started. Now, I go foundation-less with starter strips, just to keep things straighter, and let the bees be bees. I will say though, that for new hives I still like using some foundation to get them going how I want, though.

[beesNme]

looks like they are doing great, i am just starting out so i will show my bees your pics  :-D

[Spear]

Don't really want to hijack the thread however I have a related question.
When going foundationles could I just put wired frames in the hive and the girls will use the wires as a guide for building or will I still need the starter strip to show them the way?
I did put 1 empty (no wires or foundation) frame in one of my supers with no starter strip and the girls build the comb from the edge of the top bar. If I hadn't removed the wires would they of started in the middle of the frame?  :?

[Evan W]

In my experience unless you put a starter strip the comb will be centered anywhere on the top bar. You will need more than just wires for the bees to get it centered on bar.

[biggraham610]

Don't really want to hijack the thread however I have a related question.
When going foundationles could I just put wired frames in the hive and the girls will use the wires as a guide for building or will I still need the starter strip to show them the way?
I did put 1 empty (no wires or foundation) frame in one of my supers with no starter strip and the girls build the comb from the edge of the top bar. If I hadn't removed the wires would they of started in the middle of the frame?  :?

With mine I just used wedgetop frames  and just tacked the wedge in sidways so they had a strip. All of the frames so far are good. I have been staggering foundation in between until it is drawn. I was told they will draw it truer if they have borders. Seems to work. Good luck. G :chop:

[Wolfer]

If it sets between two drawn brood frames or capped honey frames and the frames are pushed tight together. It will be drawn in the center of the two existing frames. It's very important the frames be pushed together.

If there's a gap in the frames they will build the correct distance from the existing comb which will be on the edge of the frame.

[KD4MOJ]

Got my new jig and I have 100 Walter T Kelley foundationless frames to build. Hopefully later on this week I can install them. Always wanted to try this...

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

[ForrrestB]

In my experience unless you put a starter strip the comb will be centered anywhere on the top bar. You will need more than just wires for the bees to get it centered on bar.

+1

[Kathyp]

one frame of drawn foundation in the middle is very helpful, but a guide will do if you don't have the drawn stuff.  it's really important to keep the frames tight together.  don't space the frames as some people do because you'll get a mess for sure. 

[Steel Tiger]

 Some sort of guide on the frames and a level hive is all that's needed for foundationless frames. Until the frames are drawn, check every other day to fix any cross comb. It's best to fix it before it becomes a problem.

[tjc1]

I use a starter strip made of cut up milk carton with wax painted on it, and then string the frame tight with a fairly heavy monifilament through the holes in the side bars. They usually build nicely with the monofilament in the middle of the comb, and it gives it a lot more strength when turning frames for inspection.

[tjc1]

I use a starter strip made of cut up milk carton with wax painted on it, and then string the frame tight with a fairly heavy monifilament through the holes in the side bars. They usually build nicely with the monofilament in the middle of the comb, and it gives it a lot more strength when turning frames for inspection.