frame runners made of

[wightbees]

can someone tell what metal they are made of or does it not matter
thanks

 

[fatshark]

... or plastic. You can buy J section plastic edging from DIY shops that does a very good job as frame runners. Cheap as chips.

 

[wightbees]

thanks for that , do u think b and q would sell it
and also what way would the j bendy bit face ?

 

[oliver90owner]

Cheap as chips.

Or maybe you could use angle section. I did, on one of my Dartingtons. Just need to make sure that bee space is upheld or they might fill small holes with very sticky propolis.

I simply run the electric planer along the length if it needs reducing. The router table would likely be a slightly better route (with appropriate precautions) and I could easily rebate lengths of PSE strips if I wanted (hardly worth the trouble of setting up!).

Flaming plastic, for spring cleaning, is not recommended and removal is often fatal to the runner, so plastic is possibly a less user-friendly option both from the 'eco' and practical angles.

Type of metal? Stainless steel is likely best option but not cheapest. Bees won't mind.

Slip into a slot, or screw/nail on the side? Now there is another dilema. Ho, hum, decisions, decisions....

Regards, RAB

 

[wightbees]

ok thanks all i'm of to the shops

 

[ENZO]

hi, until recently I used the galvanised runners from thornes, but if you use acetic acid to sterilise brood boxes and frames the runners will corrode and rust so I have started using stainless steel strips, no angles, just like a ruler and can be set/fitted how you like, which helps on badly made brood boxes.

All The Best, Enzo

 

[hedgerow pete]

if you watch the making a nuc videos i suggest we use a plastic strip as we use for the ceramic wall tiles edging strip as its the great shape and price

 

[hedgerow pete]

I personaly do not use the metal castilated spacers as i like to open the frame spacing as i want to

 

[wightbees]

hanks but i have now gone for a the ruler type metal as that was all i could find.
Ally i think it is , so will not rust .

 

[Dewin Dwl]

Ally....but will disolve in caustic soda solution if ever sterilising the box!

 

[MJBee]

This is like the stone, paper, scissors game

Caustic eats Ally, Blowtorch melts plastic, Stainless - most expensive but lasts for ever.