Today I embedded my first frames (pic) with an old transformer.

[mick]

Up until now I have been buying frames, wired and with foundation embedded. I figure the few bob they charge to do it was worth it. So now I have enough frames, and some spares.

So have to start embedding myself. I got a 9v car racing transformer, and cut the wire and presto! two ends pumping juice. I eventually found an aligator clip and attached it to one end. The other was just the bare wire.

I had to clean up the frames, not much of a job, but now I have wax all over the backyard as well as the house. Im not very tidy :). I left a bit of the wax where I could, to give em a hand.

I did not have a very good connection, but wasnt helped by the slightly larger sheets of wax I bought. I should have trimmed them a bit to make the job easier. I also put the sheets in the fridge to harden them up, which was helpful. I also notice these wax sheets appear to be from "used" wax due to the darker colour than what I have got in the past.

I only did four as that is all I need for tomorrow. It went pretty well, although I can see how a board at the back would give me equal pressure over the sheet. I just pressed down with my finger. Only takes a few seconds when things go well. By the fourth one, I was almost perfect.

I know this is the method (transformer etc) that most people use, but I thought I would post my tale to show other newcommers that it is pretty easy. The only skill you need is a bit of patience.

I have three sheds in the backyard, I can see its time to turn one of them into a honey house to relieve the pressure on my little kitchen.

[Yarra_Valley]

Hey mate,

Yeah I think I'll need to do quite a few myself quite soon. In Healesville the honey flow is starting. my bee are a little grumpy as present  :shock:.

James.

[Cindi]

Mick, good for you.  I don't think that I would ever have the time or the patience to attempt making my own foundation.  My hat off to you.  Great day. CIndi

[mick]

Welcome back bleep.
Youre not wrong about the honey flow, the eucys and Meleleucas are going off.

Mine have drawn the four frames I put in a week ago and filled them 80% already, amazing!


edit: Hmm somehow the forum has called you bleep. I guess its an american spellchecker or something. Some how "me old bleep" doesnt have the same ring to it.

[Kathyp]

i buy bulk foundation that is wired.  the thin stuff i bought last year for comb honey will have to have the wires pulled out before i can cut the comb.  your idea should work as well for removing wire!!  thanks....i was wondering how to do it easily.

[mick]

Hmm my frames have 4 wires running vertically, one an inch down, then 4 inches, 4 inches then one inch. I have noticed that its easy to cut out the 4 inch slabs with a sharp knife using the wire as a guide. Comes out in a perfect slab and when cut in half, maks a nice block of comb.

[Kathyp]

mick

that would work.  mine are the same.  i was just looking for a way to not have sticky, drippy, wires all over the place.  i think if i can get them out cleanly, it will make the process easier....at least the cleanup part.  besides, i cut my tongue licking wires :-(

[Mici]

just a reminder, if you EVER decide to take your bees to some pasture, make sure you've wired the frames in  W or M shape, or like \/\/, otherwise, when it's hot and there's a lot of weight on the comb, the wax gets soft and can slide down. but like i said, if you have stationary hives, this shouldn't be a problem.

[Michael Bush]

Here in the US almost no one does a W or M.  I have bought some European foundation with that and have wired some that way, but they seem to get by fine with just horizontals or just verticals.