Foundation Wire

[steve56616]

I am looking for wire to make my own foundation sheets. I am looking on the auction site for stainless steel wire but not sure if the one I've seen is ok.
There are some for the job but are located in China. Or can I use this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STAINLESS...c9922da&pid=100033&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=121446457787

 

[Anduril]

I am looking for wire to make my own foundation sheets. I am looking on the auction site for stainless steel wire but not sure if the one I've seen is ok.
There are some for the job but are located in China. Or can I use this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STAINLESS...c9922da&pid=100033&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=121446457787

fawns ss wire is 0.44mm @£9 + p&p, ebay equivalent 0.4 @£11 + p&p. I think the thinner grade would be OK, but if you're heating it and keeping it taut it may brake if you are heavy handed. Just trial and error. Thinner grade being less than 0.4mm

 

[pargyle]

I bought the stainless wire from China ... knocked spots of any UK price and it's fine - indeed - it looks identical to the stuff that Big T sell !!

 

[Into the lions den]

Be careful with buying wire. If it is just for prewiring foundation yu can get away with cheap stuff, but if you are wiring your frames you want a high grade that will not stretch much.

FWIW we use 0.35mm approx. hard drawn high tensile food grade wire. Its pricey but lasts forever if you do not abuse it. Supplier Knight Precision Wire of Potters Bar.

Also......it is sold by weight......over 1mm is very thick and you do not get a lot of length for your money. 0.35 gives 8.16 times the length you get with 1mm, 0.4 as stated by another poster gives 6.25 times as much. 1.6mm? Gee.....the 0.4 gives the other poster a massive 16 times more sheets done for their money.

 

[steve56616]

Thanks for replies.
I have also thought about using fishing line after watching 'The Fat Bee Man'
I like his youtube videos and he uses ways of keeping costs down.
One thing with beekeeping.... It isn't cheap!!

 

[Tom Bick]

Fishing line works well on foundationless frames Steve but dont know how it will work with foundation and will be a problem if you want to melt the line into the wax sheet. If you try it make sure it’s over 30lb breaking strain. Below this and theirs a good chance the bees will chew through it and don’t use brade as it looks as though they love to chew it.

 

[B+.]

Be careful with buying wire.

I agree. One of the tests used in morphometry is to measure the hair length using the diameter of frame wire as a guide. Depending on what wire you are using, this could lead to some questionable results

 

[steve56616]

Im just thinking of different ideas. I have ordered a foundation making kit so will wire some and possibly use fat bee mans idea of wiring wireless foundation and see how I get on.
The link shows him doing the fishing line 7 mins in if you don't want to watch it all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnzAxZDICLc