Frame runners in nucs?

[JamezF]

I seem to see quite a few nuc boxes without runners for the frames. Any thoughts on whether they're desirable or not?

James

 

[pargyle]

Most poly nucs are bottom bee space so there is not room for the runners in the scheme of things.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

all Maisie's nucs have runners moulded into the poly, there is room to attach runners on Payne's nucs, but the only way of fixing them really is by using glue.

 

[ericbeaumont]

Maisie's nucs have runners moulded

BS also.

 

[Jules59]

Quite a few of runners on my Maisemore nucs are looking rather worse for wear so I think Im going to cut them off and replace with plastic runners when I have a few hours spare.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Quite a few of runners on my Maisemore nucs are looking rather worse for wear so I think Im going to cut them off and replace with plastic runners when I have a few hours spare.

I’ve used wedges on some of mine cut to size as some of my maisemore have either been eaten or damaged from excessive use of hive tools

 

[Erichalfbee]

This is what I’ve done
Metal runner. Rimmed crownboard to create top space.

 

[Antipodes]

Any thoughts on whether they're desirable or not?

James

What is the purpose of the runners?

 

[rolande]

What is the purpose of the runners?

Someone's bright idea which has become UK standard. Good way to spend a few extra pence per box.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What is the purpose of the runners?

So that the frame lugs don't get propolised down
Don't you have them in your brood boxes?

 

[Antipodes]

So that the frame lugs don't get propolised down
Don't you have them in your brood boxes?

No, no runners in any boxes....

 

[Erichalfbee]

Must be a peculiarly National thing. I know Maisie Nationals don’t have runners so I put them in.

 

[JamezF]

Must be a peculiarly National thing.

Perhaps it is. I honestly hadn't noticed their presence or otherwise when watching videos where people are using hives other than Nationals. Thorne do sell Langstroth runners however.

James

 

[Newbeeneil]

Must be a peculiarly National thing. I know Maisie Nationals don’t have runners so I put them in.

But the shape of the Maisie’s wood negates the need for steel runners.

 

[Erichalfbee]

But the shape of the Maisie’s wood negates the need for steel runners.

Yes I know but I still get bees squashed if the colony propolises heavily.

 

[Garry R]

On brood boxes (Honeypaw) they come in the flat and I just run the frame ends through the table saw lowering the frame rest position a fraction to allow the fitting of a runner to the correct height of the frame. Not so easy with complete boxes but it is possible with a very sharp Stanley knife to remove a little polystyrene as per the table saw. Pin the metal runners on the hive through the drilled holes with a drop of gorilla glue on the end of the pins. I find that without a runner the flat poly rest against the frame lug can lead to a really well propolised join.