empty frames

[newguy]

i have some frames that i put in with only starter strips, the bees drew nice comb but did not attach the comb to the bottom or sides of the frame which makes for very weak comb. does anyone have any tips for getting them to attach the comb on more sides? thanks kevin

[pdmattox]

Was there a flow going or did you feed them? You need young bees with nector coming in and a need for them to draw wax.  Were all your frames started with starter strips?

[Brian D. Bray]

It sounds as if your starter strips were placed in the brood chamber.  Bees will often leave the ends and/or bottoms of the comb unattached in the brood area.  If the frames were in a super specifically for honey they I would expect to see the frames drawn out wood to wood.  Don't get over worried about the flexability of the comb, it will stiffen up.  The comb in my brood boxes were made from starter strips and don't all attach to the bottom bar or the end bars but after a batch of brood or 2 they are as stiff as a board. 

[Michael Bush]

When there is more honey coming in they will attach them more.  If you leave the bottom bar down 3/8" low and then after it's full down to within 1/4" of it, push it back in, you'll get it attached solidly to the bottom.  Charles Martin Simon uses a triangle on the bottom board to get them to attach the bottom better.  Langstroth used the triangles on the sides to get them to attach it better and sometimes a diamond (square but point out) down the center to stabilize things.

Triangle bottom board:  http://www.bushfarms.com/images/DeepCutToMedium.JPG

Triangle on sides:
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/DadantDeep1.jpg

Langstroth's frame:
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/LangstrothFrame.jpg

Foundationless frames with more of Langstroths pictures ect:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm

[newguy]

thanks you have given me some ideas, ill update later