wedge top bar used for starter stips

malabarchillin · July 13, 2007, 08:52:40 PM

Hi,
I ordered wedge top frames for my brood and supers so that it would be more
flexible in my early trials at finding a foundation type that I like.
For the supers I intend to alternate starter strips and full length foundations. If I am going to use
a wax tube fastener to 'glue' in the foundations do I have to break loose the frame wedge tops and nail them even though I am going to 'glue' the foundation in or will the sliver of wood left holding the wedges support
the foundations full of honey ?
Thanks
Mike

Kathyp · July 13, 2007, 09:44:06 PM

the wedge, in my experience, does not really hold anything in anyway. the first strips i did, i took out the wedge, glued the strips in with the melted wax, then replace wedge. the next ones i did, i got lazy and just inserted the strips and secured them with the melted wax. i actually think the second batch was better attached. because the groove was a little wider and the wedge was still there, i got more melted wax in and i think the strips were more secure. both batches help up fine, so i intend to continue doing them the lazy way.

doak · July 13, 2007, 10:39:09 PM

The wedge is not cut fully through. You take a sharp strait blade and finish the cut.
Then trim the both the wedge and top bar where the wedge fits in.
If you don't trim this little edge off, it henders the wedge from seating against the top bar.
I have assembled hundreds and never had any trouble
I even sand all the wooden frame parts before assembling. They are as smooth as a "Baby's" bottom.
I don't cut any slack or take short cuts. I give my girls the best I can.
It doesn't take too long for a "wrong" in a bee colony to come to the irreversiable point.
In the Past two years I've had less than half doz. frames come apart and "NO" sagging foundation
or falling full comb.

Yes, the first year I had comb falling every where. Not'na more.
doak

Michael Bush · July 17, 2007, 08:36:23 PM

If they are not broken out, I would put the starter strip in and wax them in. If they are broken out, I'd nail the wedge per usual.

doak · July 18, 2007, 01:03:35 AM

I try to use wedge in everything.
I finish cutting it out and trim it. If you leave a little ridge it will prevent it from seating against the bar.
I keep pressure on it at each point of the tack each time I nail it in.
From then on it is ready for anything I need, without the bother with hot waxing or glue.
In the 7 yrs I have had very few come out,"after the first yr".
doak

Michael Bush · July 18, 2007, 07:49:05 AM

>without the bother with hot waxing or glue.

Once you know how to wax it is MUCH faster than nailing. That's why it was invented. :) It's also much more secure. I've had many a starter strip fall out.

randydrivesabus · July 18, 2007, 09:49:22 AM

waxing them in takes a lot less time...i just did 10 frames with starter strips waxed in in 15 minutes or so which includes setting up a double boiler. when i have wedge top bars i just leave the wedge attached and some wax will flow to help hold it on. maybe if i had smaller fingers to hold those tiny nails it would go faster.