wax foundation support pins

[stonecroppefarm]

I recently purchased frames and wax foundation and since I was spending , I attempted to order foundation support pins. I was supprised to hear that the supplier of frames and foundation does not sell foundation support pins. why not? the response was that everyone uses bobby pins, these are cheaper than formal foundation support pins.

My question: do most beeks use bobby pins to support wax foundation? Is there a disadvantage of using bobby pins?

[Kathyp]

you'd have to bend them open some or they would crush the foundation.  other than that, i think they would work well.  + they are longer than the pins.  i always found they came up short.

[joebrown]

I know people use them, however I never have. I have not had any problem extracting honey without them. I guess they help keep foundation straight, but as long as you do not store your frames with foundation in a hot place they should stay straight. I do not know that the pins would help anyway! I have cleaned frames with them before and it is just something else to clean in my opinion!