Rubber band question

[obxbee]

What size rubber bands should I get to hold brood comb in frames with when doing cut outs?

[BeeMaster2]

I do not know the size number but the ones that I use are about 8-10" in diameter and 1/8" wide. You want something big enough to go around your frames but small enough that your bees can cut them and haul them out of the hives on their own. One of the first ones that I used was 1/2" wide. It took 2 weeks for them to cut them and a long time for them to get them sticking out the opening. I had to keep pulling them out my self. The 1/8" ones are small enough that the bees can fully remove them from the hive on their own.
Jim

[iddee]

I use a size 136. It is 6 inches X1/4 in. X 1/16 in. thick.


http://www.lee-rubber.com/sizes.htm

[obxbee]

Thank you both.  I had sent a pm to JP but he must be busy as a bee.

[buzzbee]

Just a touch on a one time bad experience I had. if you buy a package of rubber bands, open them and stretch them to test the elasticity before you are ready to band comb into frames. i was all set to go one time and half of the rubber bands would break with very little stretching. I would hate to see that happen to someone in the middle of a removal.

[jayj200]

the #19 from office depot works for me a little loose too stretchy  held comb nicely for me

jay

[G3farms]

Buzzbee you are so very right on this. When you open the package of rubber bands put them in a zip lock bag and keep them out of the sunshine. The "pure rubber" bands, kind of yellow looking, will start to break down rather fast. The colored ones seem to take the longest, not sure what is in them but must be some kind of UV  resistant stuff.

You also forgot to say what size frames you were using.

If you get bands that are too small they will bend the bottom bars and mess up your frames.

Bands too skinny will allow the bees to remove them before comb is attached good to the frames and you will have comb fall into the comb beside of it and get tied together.

[gmcharlie]

I personly use yarn....  the bees clean it out on their own....  and you can pull it tight or as loose as you want...

[RC]

Chicken wire. And a stapler. You can staple one side to a frame, lay the comb on it, fold and staple.
No fumbling trying to hold the comb, frame and rubber band at the same time.

[buzzbee]

We slide the rubber bands on the frames to one end before we start.The bees can remove the bands on their own.

[G3farms]

I have also found that using a piece of the plastic sign board helps in getting new soft comb into a frame.

With the bees off of one side of the comb lay it on the sign board, trim to size if needed, lay the frame around the comb (have rubber bands on both ends). Now tilt the sign board, comb and frame up and pull the rubber bands around it. The sign board just gives the new soft comb plenty of support, not like trying to pinch it between your fingers.

[obxbee]

Im glad I posted thus because I got responses with stuff I had not even thought about. 
I like the yarn and chicken wire ideas just for the speed and simplicity alone.
I imagine I would be like a monkey with a football trying to get cut out sections of comb onto a frame frame the first time around.
And I will be using regular deep frames too. Sorry I left that off.

[JP]

Just sent you a PM, I like the #33 rubber bands


...JP

[Edgy]

obxbee, you read my mind.  I needed this info too.  Thanks!

[buzzbee]

Also, be sure to keep the comb oriented properly.  If you turn it sideways or upside down, the queen will not lay in it when the brood emerges.

[obxbee]

Oh Lord. I know I will screw that up really good then.

[iddee]

I orient it wrong on purpose, as I want to get it out as soon as the brood emerges. I don't want her laying in it again. You orient it correctly only if you want to leave it in the hive to be incorporated with the frames the bees draw out.

[nella]

I use rubber bands that I bought to hold the wings on my model airplanes, They are of good quality and can be bought at any model airplane store or on line.

[obxbee]

Iddee
What to you do with the comb after the brood emerges then if you do not want the queen to lay again in that comb?
Do melt it down later and recycle it?

[iddee]

Melt it down and sell it.