Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A hybrid frame design is available both as knocked down or assembled. Foundation slips
into the frame through the top slot and is held in place in the groove along the sides
and in the bottom.
Wiring Frames
If you choose to use pure beeswax foundation sheets in your frames rather than plastic,
they will need to be wired and secured to the frames you build.
Before wiring, purchase and insert metal eyelets that fit snugly in the predrilled holes
in the end bars. These eyelets prevent the threaded wire from cutting into the soft pine-
wood of the frame. This keeps the wire from loosening, which would allow the sheet of
beeswax foundation to sag.
When the eyelets are in place, begin threading the horizontal frame wires. Frame
wire from suppliers is the right diameter, is stainless, and it won't rust.
1. Thread the wire through the top hole on one side, run it across the frame and
through the top hole on the other side, down the outside of the end bar and back through
the next hole down. Run the wire back across and through the next hole down on the
side you started on. (If you are doing this with deep frames, repeat this step.) You will
end up with two (or four) horizontal wires running from side to side.
2. Pound a small nail halfway in on the edge of the end bar near where you started.
Wrap the end of the wire around it to anchor it. If wiring a deep frame, pound another
small nail halfway in the edge of the end bar near the hole where you finished. A single
nail centered between holes works for smaller frames, as in the diagram. Pull the wire
from the unfastened end as tight as you can (use pliers to assist if necessary) and secure
it to the holding nail. Each wire should be tight enough to “ping” when plucked. When
tight, pound in the nail(s) the rest of the way.
3. Remove the wedge from the bottom of the top bar with a pocket knife. Lay the
foundation sheet behind the wires when lying on the form board. The bottom of the
sheet fits in the groove in the bottom bar. Lay the sheet so the wire hooks face up when
the foundation is laid down. Replace the wedge so it holds the foundation in by clamp-
ing on the hooks. Fasten the wedge to the top bar with tiny brads. Be sure to order the
kind of foundation with both hooks and wire.
Foundation should only be inserted into the frames 2 to 3 days before the frames are
put in a colony because of its tendency to sag, even with good support from wires. Do
the wiring early, but finish the foundation just before insertion.
