Do folks use frame rests?

GoldenCO · February 16, 2015, 01:35:39 PM

Hi. I'm a new member and will be getting my bees in late April. I'm trying to be ready and am wondering if folks have found frame rests (metal support that hooks outside of the super to hold a frame) useful. They look like they would be but are also a little hard to find so I'd like to know what people think. The ground near my hive is mulch so I think I want to keep frames off the ground so they don't get messy. Thanks.

Kathyp · February 16, 2015, 02:02:28 PM

I use an empty box next to the hive I'm checking. I also have a hive stand that came with some bulk stuff I got years ago. Most of the time I forget to take it out.

BeeMcq · February 16, 2015, 02:33:07 PM

Just an empty box works well for me

Michael Bush · February 16, 2015, 03:37:24 PM

I bought a frame rest once. I always meant to use it but never did. I finally sold it to a friend... I can't say I ever used it. It SEEMS like a good idea but is one more piece of equipment to haul around. I just work between the hive and an empty box. The frame rest can actually cause more work if you fill the rest up and now need to go down another box...

Cedar Hill · February 16, 2015, 06:12:07 PM

Had difficulty remembering to bring it to the hives at first. Hate buying something and then not using it, so once the habit was formed, it now is practically a requisite before opening my hives. Better than carrying an extra super, unless an empty one is left in the apiary, and it's considerably better than putting your foot through a "live" frame leaning up against the hive stand. Unless you have that extra super, it also makes it easier to look for the queen when the already looked at frames are hanging out of the super you're examining. OMTCW

Foxhound · February 16, 2015, 10:44:25 PM

I had a frame rest before, but stopped using it. You have to take it off and move it the box you are working on. Its just another piece of equipment to have around, and the less you have the better.

Typically, now I either lean it on the ground against something nearby.

Or, I built my hive stand so it can actually hold a frame in the empty space between the 2x4's. It comes in handy when I have to find a place set several frames at a time.

lomatia · February 16, 2015, 11:56:25 PM

I use one occasionally but for the reasons above, not that popular.

GSF · February 17, 2015, 06:18:20 AM

I use them but I want to start using the box. From what I "hear" it keeps them quieter and helps prevents robbing. I think I heard it called "the quiet box".

Dallasbeek · February 17, 2015, 01:15:40 PM

Oon a quiet box, you use an opaque cover over the frames you put in the box. There's a pretty good video of using it and it makes a lot of sense.

D Coates · February 17, 2015, 03:52:03 PM

I have a homemade one I used heavily at the start. About 4-5 years ago I started propping the frames sideways up against the hive to give me the required room to more easily manipulate the remaining frames in the hive body. I started using the frame rest less and less that year as it was easier/faster for me to stand the frames up. 2 years ago I actually removed it from my tool box (along with a frame cleaner and a frame grip). I was wanting a little less weight and a little more room. I've not missed any of them but I really did like the frame rest when I first started.

kingd · February 17, 2015, 06:55:37 PM

Have one,used it once, have been using an empty box instead.

BeeMaster2 · February 17, 2015, 07:36:15 PM

I have one. Used it a lot when I started out but have not used it for several years now. I usually just remove one frame and then look at the frames and place them in the missing frame space. Then continue doing the same. This leaves a space between the inspected ones and the non inspected frames that moves across the hive.
I did like using it when I started out and I did use it a lot the first 2 years.
Jim

GLOCK · February 18, 2015, 09:36:56 AM

I have one it's in my shad in the corner with all the other bee junk i don't use. I use a deep when working my hives.

JanO · February 18, 2015, 01:15:08 PM

I have 2 of them and I love 'em! I use mine religiously when working the bees. A quiet box also works well, but it's much easier for me to haul the frame rest then it is to haul another box out.

texanbelchers · February 18, 2015, 01:21:15 PM

I just printed a couple clip-on supports to keep the MakerBot running. I figured they would come in handy for taking pictures.

Credit to: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:408146

rookie2531 · February 20, 2015, 09:58:47 PM

I use the empty deep that I use for top feeding. I don't know what I'll do once I don't feed anymore, since supposedly there wont be an empty there to use. One thing I did accidently do last year was use it for mediums and left them in there. Good thing I remembered that same day (I think).

GoldenCO · February 21, 2015, 08:40:19 PM

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all your replies.