Starter strips?

[Nock]

Last year I cut strips out of foundation and it worked fine. I?ve heard of people using a popsicle stick or even the wedge. Do any of y?all do this?  Does it work well?  Do you coat in wax before or after install. Thanks.

[Ben Framed]

Last year I cut strips out of foundation and it worked fine. I?ve heard of people using a popsicle stick or even the wedge. Do any of y?all do this?  Does it work well?  Do you coat in wax before or after install. Thanks.

Popsicle sticks work fine but I decided to cut my own strips last year keeping plenty of strips on hand.  What I did, first cut my boards the proper length and set up the table saw to rip the strips. Works good.  This year I a considering using skewers placed across the bar slot instead of ripping all of those strips. I am thinking I found 100 in a pack at dollar tree for a dollar. If it works it is a no brainer. But, I do not know if this will work or not. We will see. This is another experimental season for me and frames using different types of foundation methods. I was considering using foundationless for brood frames and changing to acorn plastic for honey. Time is getting short!

Phillip Hall

[CapnChkn]

I have used strips, popsicle sticks, cardboard soaked with wax, and so on.  I have had NO LUCK with any of them.  The only thing I've used that they build straight combs on is solid wax sheets.  I make them the way Tim Rose, Fatbeeman, and so on, show in their YouTube videos.  I could invest in a press, that's one expense I have never had, or pressed wax sheets for that matter.

I have been hanging the sheets without the hexagon patterns pressed.  They build on them just fine.  Now I have to counter suburban hell.

https://youtu.be/T7VxZVSLm4E

[Michael Bush]

>Last year I cut strips out of foundation and it worked fine.

It does, but it's not as durable as wood.

> I?ve heard of people using a popsicle stick or even the wedge. Do any of y?all do this?

I have done all of the above.

> Does it work well? 

They all work fine.

>Do you coat in wax before or after install.

Never.  When I tried it the wax often would fall off or the comb they built on the wax would fall off.  The bees attach wax much better than it gets attached by dipping or painting wax on.  I don't use any wax and they follow it just as well.

[Bob Wilson]

I just break the wedge out of my wedge frames, turn it sideways, and re-attach it with glue and staples under the top frame bar. They do fine for me.

[Nock]

Thanks for replies.

[CoolBees]

I just break the wedge out of my wedge frames, turn it sideways, and re-attach it with glue and staples under the top frame bar. They do fine for me.

This is what I do also - except I don't glue them - the bees do that. I use 3 Brad nails set at an angle - 1 at each end and 1 in the middle, to hold the wedge in place.

[The15thMember]

This is what I do also - except I don't glue them - the bees do that. I use 3 Brad nails set at an angle - 1 at each end and 1 in the middle, to hold the wedge in place.

Same here.  I just use wedge nails that they sell at bee supply places.