New Kelley frames

[ikeepbees]

At least I think they're new. The top bar is slotted all the way through, and the end bars are extra thick with a groove cut in them for the foundation. I bought 20 of them to try. I have assembled a few of them, and after assembly you just slide the foundation (mine is wired wax) through the top bar and into the frame. The grooves in the end bars and bottom bar contain the foundation nicely.

I won't be able to try these in a hive until next year. My guess is that they will work well - I hate to wire frames and this may be a decent alternative to wiring. It's worth a try.

The only downside I see so far is that the thicker end bars don't fit into my frame nailing jigs. I will have to shim those out to accept the new end bars.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried these.

[BjornBee]

I thought the fully slotted top that went all the way through were for some cutcomb foundation or something along those lines.  :?

[ikeepbees]

These are different, Bjorn. The slotted top bars that I have for comb honey are thin. These new ones (again, I THINK they're new) are as thick as a regular top bar. I guess they are a regular top bar, but with the slot all the way through.

Check the ad on page 71 of the October Bee Culture.

The really cool part is the slotted end bars.

[BjornBee]

Let me know how they work in a few years. It's easy for me to be critical about such matters, but makes little sense to do so without practical experience. But since they are new and most beeks must speculate on the matter....let me elaborate.....  :-D

I do have doubt about having wired foundation without hooks, as it seems they could easily pull out of the slots. And if they are suggesting cross wiring for extraction, I'd rather just pop in peirco just the same. I do use alot of wax, but if i'm giving up the hooks, to just turn around and need to cross wire, then I see little point.

As for another groove to clean down the road if I use these type frames for comb production (as I do normal frames), or in the cases where the bees mess the wax up or it becomes ruined from wax moths, etc., I don't need any more grooves or hiding places for pests.

Giving me another new frame to buy and add to the already mixed inventory of parts, is not something I'll jump for.

What I do want from a supplier, in regards to the new information of how contaminated wax is from major suppliers, is clean foundation to fit into those frames. A new frame....no big deal here. A supplier with clean wax with no chemicals to contaminate my bees.....they can have all my business.

[WayneW]

I don't need any more grooves or hiding places for pests

Here here, that was my 1st thought ...... mites, shb, wax moth, i want things to get rid of these guys
not a condo for them to snuggle up in.  ;)

On a side note, i bought 100 frames from Mr Kelly (not this kind... mine are wedge top and solid bottom bars) ....... very well made, all the fits "fit". Even got a bunch of nails with them. Definately has my future business. Even with shipping the cost was less then most other suppliers before shipping costs.

[ikeepbees]

I agree with you Wayne, I've found the Kelley frames to be very well made with clean cuts all around and to fit together nicely.

Bjorn, I'll let you know how they do. I hear what you're saying, but I just love trying new ideas!

[Michael Bush]

I haven't tried the Kelley version, but the DE frames had the slot in the end bars and it was helpful in keeping the comb from buckling.

[Windy Ridge Apiary]

I was thinking of trying them for next year. I glad you posted. My question was, is the top bar heavy enough to stand the manipulation needed for hive bodies. It seems to me to be a quicker way to install foundation. I already have the small cell foundation that I will be using.

[jpapalia]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am an employee of Kelley Co.   Yes they are new, with a patent pending.    They were designed them to hold up to the stresses of bee keeping and initial use confirms this.  Since we are bee keepers we are always trying to find ways to make bee keeping easier and more productive. 

[jpk1nh]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am an employee of Kelley Co.   Yes they are new, with a patent pending.    They were designed them to hold up to the stresses of bee keeping and initial use confirms this.  Since we are bee keepers we are always trying to find ways to make bee keeping easier and more productive. 

If I may ask a question about the new frames, once the foundation is slid into the groove from the top bar do you suggest nailing through the top bar to somehow "pinch" the top of the wired foundation so that when you extract the comb is less likely to self destruct?