used drawn comb

[tincan]

I just acquired a retired beekeepers inventory hive frames top bottom boards new frames not even assembled yet and many other goodies my question is this has not been used in possibly 20 years alot of drawn comb a little dry but in good shape can I use this or should I give new foundation.Some boxes full of new foundation still in good shape that im sure I can use but wondering about drawn comb . Probally 50 boxes 400 frames of drawn comb hope I can use.thanks

[danno]

there is not a right or wrong answer for your question.  If it was me I would use it.  No if's, and or butts.    Look for scale in the bottom of the cells.  Maybe you could talk to the beekeeper that owned it.   Some old timers will be honest about problems.   Others will lie through there teeth or tooth in some cases

[D Coates]

I'd use it as well assuming I didn't find any obvious signs of problems (sunken capped long dead brood, heavy wasp spray smell, etc)

[tincan]

everything is good that way I got from neighbor  / friend for free he was just very happy someone was interested and was going to use everything and he could talk bees some and  help me out  it made his day that I wanted to have bees I think he was wanting to help someone out for a while and I was right place right time. I wasnt  sure if the dryness of comb was something to worry about or will bees freshen the comb up.I hate to not use it but dont want to hurt bees either. thanks

[Kathyp]

i'd use it.  surprised wax moth didn't wreck it! 

[beetalkin]

3rd generation commercial beekeeper in my area has supers with 50 year old comb. its filled & extracted year after year with no problems

[yockey5]

Is he a fisherman?

[asprince]

I bought a lot of equipment from an estate that included about 100 honey supers with 20 year old drawn comb. I use it with no problems. If it is brittle and damaged, the bees will repair it. I extracted honey this weekend and was noticing the new wax repairs on frames that were previously damaged. By all means, use it.

Steve

[AndrewT]

Sounds like it was a good get, Tincan.  Free bee stuff and good bonding with your old buddy.

[bossqwjw]

I have an abundance of old stuff my grandfather had, I guess my question is..... there are bunches of old supers and brood boxes.

Do you suppose it will be safe to use them?  There are a lot of frames that the wax has been destroyed by wax mothes, but the boxes are all still in decent shape, need painted, but that is to be expected considering they have been sitting in a bee room in the barn for 20 years.

I figure the frames might be fodder for the burn pile.

[Joe D]

Tincan not only getting the bee stuff at a great price, you will have a mentor to help you through a lot you may not know.  Good luck and good going with your bees.

Joe

[hardwood]

I'd call that a gold mine!

Scott

[tincan]

I guess im the only one that was worried and that was just that it was brittle and dry I guess I will be using it . all very nice equipment and comes with alot of tips and stories some just needs a little  paint. thanks all good one hardwood