Some of my frames are going to have a full sheet of foundation that is wired. one of the things are noticed apart from it being fragile is that is warps and bends. Today on the beemaster.com forum it was mentioned about using fishing line to hold wireless foundation in place using a criss cross pattern. I tried it and was not to happy, mainly because I had strength in my wires. It also didn't seem to take the warp out. I then thought hang on i only need it on the side that is bowed out so I'm now running it straight from one side to the other and then back again on the same side. Then something else happened as i was putting it in place I noticed I could press down lightly on the fishing line and the wax sheet would stick to it giving a more uniform and held in place structure. It is all tied off with a thumb tack so cheep solution all in all
This seems to work so for all my frames that the foundation is bowed and warped I'm now fixing with fishing line.
I also started making my custom lids to my hives. They will be a cross between a telescopic and a migration hive top.ill post pictures once I have got a bit further along !
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2 comments:
Stevo,
I am trying to figure out why they are bowed and warped. ALL brood foundation should be wired either horizontally or cross wired. When the bees pull out the comb and its loaded with brood, pollen and honey it can be quite heavy. You should install the wire or fishing line first as tight as possible then thread the foundation gently over and under each of the wires. On brood comb there should be two wires on one side and then two on the other. In the case of Illinois or honey supers they would have one wire on each side. Only thin surplus foundation used for comb honey production is not reinforced with wire or fishing line.
this foundation is wired vertically. I think it is the way the wires are crimped.
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