All the gear but no idea!

[For want of a better word]

You're thinking of caustic soda - washing soda is pretty benign, no need for a solution quite so strong as 1kg to a gallon though.
I leave a sealed bucket of washing soda solution at every apiary with a hive tool in each, wax and propolis dissolves off it pretty easily, any remaining gets scrubbed off with a nylon washing up brush

no need for a solution quite so strong as 1kg to a gallon Reccommended solution by NBU

Wear eye protection at least!!

I find that washing soda is not so benign ... it wrecks my nailvarnish,

Wear Marigolds.

 

[Murox]

My advice is to start with the beekeeping equipment that you intend to continue with. You done want to start mixing different sized hives. So if what you have been given doesn't fit then scrap it. Cheaper and easier in the long run!
E

Sage thoughts.
It may also be useful to take a look at (sorry about advertising) https://www.thorne.co.uk/hives-and-bees/hives/wbc they have sizes of most hive components listed, they also do a paper catalogue. Similarly it may be worth your while to browse this http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/wbc.html and explore some of the relevant to you links.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

no need for a solution quite so strong as 1kg to a gallon Reccommended solution by NBU

It may be - they also recommend feeding 2:1 syrup as summer emergency feeding and 1:1 for winter, I just find that putting a whole kilo of soap powder into a gallon of water would be a right pain getting it to dissolve and much weaker solutions still do the job removing wax and propolis from tools (and I always feel I'm piling too much powder into the mix!)

 

[Repwoc]

I just find that putting a whole kilo of soap powder into a gallon of water would be a right pain getting it to dissolve

Washing soda is not soap powder.

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

Welcome Troutmill, I hope you get sorted. I also underline Enrico's advice as I started with two sizes of frames and found things very frustrating. Be aware that once fully "in" your waking moments and thinking processes will become "bee related".
It's all good....

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Washing soda is not soap powder.

close enough to make no difference, it's what everyone used before splashing out on Ariel and the like.

 

[Repwoc]

close enough to make no difference,

It's nothing like the same. There is no soap, detergent or any sort of surfactant in washing soda. It's just sodium carbonate monohydrate. It's main function when used for washing clothes was to soften the water, ie remove Mg and Ca ions as insoluble carbonates. This meant that less soap was needed and avoided having soap scum.

I imagine trying to dissolve 1 Kg of soap powder in a gallon of water must be quite difficult, but 1 Kg of washing soda will dissolve easily at ~20 C.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

not that easily

 

[Repwoc]

not that easily

Not what easily?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

dissolved in a gallon of tepid water

 

[Repwoc]

Just stir it and wait? Or use warmer water. Or both.

 

[drex]

to get the OP back on track, it may help you to know that National frames fit into WBC boxes, and that National boxes usually fit inside WBC lifts ( with a little bit of clearance). This may help you standardise equipment when you buy more

 

[HoopersHouse]

Welcome Troutmill