8 frames in a honey super

[challenger]

I've been reading Ross Conrad's book, " The Organic Beekeeper" and he uses 8 frames in 10 frame honey supers. I am wondering if others have tried this. He mentions that the bees draw out comb that they know is getting used for honey storage toa thick width w/o creating brace comb that screws things all up. I use 9 frames in all my brood hives but only after the comb is drawn out using ten frame spaced out.
The book leads me to believe that one could put 8 frames of foundation in a honey super and the bees will draw it out real thick w/o making the frames all one big mess of comb.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks-Howard

[fermentedhiker]

I'll have to pull the book off of the shelf and check it, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking about undrawn foundation.  If I was going to try it I would follow the same procedure that you did with your brood chamber.  10 frames of foundation until drawn, then knock them down to 8 or  down to 9 and then down to 8.

[Michael Bush]

With bare foundation I'd put all ten frames in so they don't get a wild hair and draw a comb between the frames.  With drawn comb eight frames works fine as does nine or ten.  The eight or nine is easier to uncap:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#framespacing
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#messedupcomb

[challenger]

Speaking of uncapping my friend saod he thought uncapping thick comb would be a big problem. He said the hot knife wouldn't be able to run along the wood of the frame but I am thinking it would just take a little more care so a lot of honey isn't left-w-the cappings??
Thanks
Howard

[Natalie]

Thats funny, I just heard the opposite. I was reading some back issues of American Bee Journal about ucapping frames and they said the thicker ones were easier to uncap because they stick out beyond the frame.
The article said that if they aren't thick enough its harder to uncap with a knife because they are below the wood frame and you would have to angle it inwards to get it at it.

[Michael Bush]

You always run it along the wood thick or not, it's just that the thicker ones are less likely to have low spots that you have to cut down into to get.

[Robo]

Alternate foundtationless and foundation frames,  you will get nice and thick comb :roll:

Yes it is easier to uncap thick comb,  but you still cut along the wood as Michael commented.  You just get more honey out of your cappings and don't have to deal with uncapping low spots.

Your best bet is still to let them draw comb out at 10/box and once drawn, then reduce the number of frames and they will "grow" the comb out as they fill it.  9/box gives plenty of comb to easily uncap,  8 would just seem more than needed.

[kdm]

 I think 8 frames are better for uncapping machines & 9 frames for uncapping knife. 9 frames let's you get more honey in the extractor & less in the capping container.