Reusing Older Frames?

Beeboy01 · August 03, 2016, 03:02:43 PM

Just curious about thoughts on reusing old frames. I'm cleaning up about 150 shallow and deep frames after dealing with some die outs and rotating old frames out of the hives. Been busting the old comb out and throwing it in the solar melter and have found that most of the frames seem reusable once scraped down and fresh foundation installed. I know the rule of thumb is to swap out comb every four to five years but is there any reason not to overhaul the old frames and drop in fresh foundation? Maybe I'm being cheap but I hate to toss good wood ware no matter what it looks like or how old it is. Thanks

GSF · August 03, 2016, 03:22:08 PM

I'm 4 summers into this so my experience on that is limited to non existent. That being said, if you haven't had any disease issues I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't even scrape the old comb off. (this mindset is subject to change)

I was at a state meeting a couple years back. I want to say it was Dr Tew who said this but I'm not sure. Anyway the observation was made that the people who rotated out comb every year always had a greater hive loss than those who didn't. The method for rotating was to remove the two middle frames, move the others inward and put the new frames on the outside.

The statement was made that if indeed there was a contaminate the bees would recognize it and propolis over it. Somewhat like they would a rat that was stung to death in the hive.

indypartridge · August 03, 2016, 04:10:32 PM

No reason not to re-use old frames. For many beeks, it's more of a time vs. money issue: much quicker to put together new frames than to clean & scrape old frames.

Beeboy01 · August 03, 2016, 04:52:57 PM

For me it more of a money saving move. It's a hobby not a commercial operation so my time is pretty much free to use overhauling the equipment. Need to replace some of the bottom bars which will be fun since I have a mix of Kelly, Dadant and Man Lake frames and nothing is interchangeable. Going to make my own replacement parts with a table saw and scrap pine. Thanks for the replies

Wombat2 · August 03, 2016, 08:47:26 PM

If the die outs were due to some sort of infection the frames could be contaminated and you will be just transferring your problems further. I would get them gamma irradiated - could have left the wax in for that and reused the lot. Only thing the radiation people don't like is honey left in the frames - not that honey itself can't be radiated but it leaks and makes a mess of their plant and you can be penalized for cleaning the place up.

BeeMaster2 · August 03, 2016, 11:01:14 PM

I am in my 7th year and I was in my shop this evening cleaning up old frames and placing them foundationless in nuc traps. They will bee the brood frames in the new swarm hives.
I am constantly reusing old frames. Most of my frames have plasticicell. Wax moths get into them during storage and do a lot of damage. I take the plasticicell out, clean up the frames, pressure wash the plasticicell, put them in the frames, then melt wax and paint it on the plasticicell.
Jim

Beeboy01 · August 03, 2016, 11:54:10 PM

I'm dealing with some wax moth damage in the bottom bars, looks like they have been hit with a dremel, lots of shallow gouges and chunks missing. Some bottom bars are really trashed and will get replaced once I've sorted out the useable frames. Cleaned up and installed foundation on 20 frames already, can crank one out in about 7-8 minutes which isn't that bad. Getting a lot more of wax from the cleanup than expected also.
Sawdustr, thanks for the tip on reusing plastic foundation, I've a deep full of used frames with plastic foundation and wasn't sure what to do with them.

Jim134 · August 04, 2016, 12:37:39 AM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on August 03, 2016, 11:01:14 PM
I am in my 7th year and I was in my shop this evening cleaning up old frames and placing them foundationless in nuc traps. They will bee the brood frames in the new swarm hives.
I am constantly reusing old frames. Most of my frames have plasticicell. Wax moths get into them during storage and do a lot of damage. I take the plasticicell out, clean up the frames, pressure wash the plasticicell, put them in the frames, then melt wax and paint it on the plasticicell.
Jim

I use a hot water pressure washer set the temperature at 150 F. Then after that rewax the plastic Foundation. I like dipping rather than painting a new coat of wax on.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Michael Bush · August 04, 2016, 10:51:34 AM

>Just curious about thoughts on reusing old frames.

I use frames until I can't nail them back together. If the end of the top bar breaks off I use a nail to hold it up...

BeeMaster2 · August 04, 2016, 12:42:32 PM

Jim,
I wish I could dip them.
I do not have a pan deep enough to dip them in and I do not have enough wax, it all goes to my wife for candles.
Jim

Beeboy01 · August 04, 2016, 08:10:03 PM

I'm culling the real beat up frames as I'm going through them and putting foundation back in the useable ones. So far the main problem is the bottom bar which is easy enough to replace with a new piece cut out of scrap wood. The culled frames will get a rebuild once the rest have been overhauled.
I'm with MB, if it holds a nail or staple and is solid it's getting used no matter how old it is. got another 20 shallows done today during a heavy rain that hit this afternoon, gave me a chance to hide in the shop and get some work done.