Precision Frame Spacing and Adjustment

Started by little john, June 12, 2016, 09:13:39 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

little john


For some time now I've been looking for a method of spacing frames precisely, especially for my own DIY efforts, but also a method which would allow fine adjustment afterwards.

The oldsters used to use staples - well, I think that's a bit crude, and subsequent fine adjustment can't be easy.  Some folks with Hoffman frames machine their side-bars down to the required size - but then there's no easy way of putting that wood back on again - so it's very much a one-time adjustment.  And - not only did I want a means of adjustment - but that method must also allow co-existence with Hoffman frames.

So - this is what I've come up with.  The method uses four 25mm x 3mm woodscrews inserted into the sides of each top bar, spaced such that there is a bee-space between screws and also between the Hoffman spacer and the screw nearest to it.

Here's a photo mock-up using my latest 14x14 frames, and a Hoffman frame which is the type of frame the nuc to be used for install onto those larger frames is currently residing.




It'll be interesting to see what the bees make of them.
LJ
A Heretics Guide to Beekeeping - http://heretics-guide.atwebpages.com

BeeMaster2

It will probably work better than the standard wood frame spacing that they propolis and that space keeps getting bigger and bigger every time you work in the hive.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Jim134

In the USA 98% of our suppliers used Hoffman frames which are self spacing.



                  BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :smile:
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
        Chinese Proverb

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
John F. Kennedy
Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/

little john

Quote from: Jim 134 on June 12, 2016, 06:12:52 PM
In the USA 98% of our suppliers used Hoffman frames which are self spacing.

Your point being ... ?
A Heretics Guide to Beekeeping - http://heretics-guide.atwebpages.com