Small Cell foundation

[labradorfarms]

I am still debating using Small cell foundation.  I want to be all natural when, I get a little exp under my belt... My question is the Small Cell Foundation from Dadant  a wax foundation or a plastic foundation coated in wax? I only ask because I noticed its a lot more money.. 

[Vance G]

The cheapest way for you  to go would be to buy the 4.9 PFXXX small cell frames from Mann lake.  You get regression rapidly.  Then if you want you can just plug in foundationless frames and or, cut the inside of your plastic frame out and let them redraw it if you want to be that silly.  The plastic frame gets all covered up with wax and no plastic is touching your honey or bees.   Just so much simpler.  I use a lot of them and they are just fine.

[labradorfarms]

Thanks for the advice , but back to my question. Are the small cell foundations made of plastic coated with wax or are they pure wax ?
I hope my question does not seem dumb, but I am a newbey.

[jim81147]

If I am looking at the same foundation you are I would guess it is wax even though they don't specify . I don't see any reason to wire plastic foundation . One way to be certain is call Dadant

[edward]

The small cell Foundation is sold by the Pound

Plastic Foundation is sold by an each price

so the small cells are of beeswax  ;)


mvh Edward  :-P

[Vance G]

I apologize for not answering your question,  Edward is exactly right.  I saw it in the Dadant catalog and I think the same product is in the Mannlake catalog

[Michael Bush]

Dadant is selling wax foundation.  Not plastic.  Mann Lake is selling plastic one piece frames (PF100s and PF120s).  No reason to wire plastic.

The advantages of the Mann Lake plastic frames (be sure they are not the PF500 series, but the PF100 series) is that the bees will usually draw it exactly as it is laid out.  The wax 4.9mm will likely get reworked by the bees.  The cheapest is just do foundationless and let the bees decide:

http://bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm