frame runners

[user 22174]

Making plans for my Langstroth framed long hive. Framed hives normally have some kind of runner of plastic or metal to reduce the propolising of the frame lugs in the rebate. Frames will be self spacing, hoffman type and need to slide. I am thinking a strip of flat aluminium would do the job but it's all extra fiddle to let it in, drill, countersink, screw. Is there an easy practical solution?

 

[blackcloud]

Buy frame runner s from a supplier -around a quid a pair and butt them up together,or see if you can get small hockey stick profile upvc from your local plastics emporium

Like this stuff perhaps

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

walltile corner trims - you can get it in various sizes - plastic or stainless steel, even a 2.5 metre length of stainless is less that two quid

 

[JamezF]

Making plans for my Langstroth framed long hive. Framed hives normally have some kind of runner of plastic or metal to reduce the propolising of the frame lugs in the rebate. Frames will be self spacing, hoffman type and need to slide. I am thinking a strip of flat aluminium would do the job but it's all extra fiddle to let it in, drill, countersink, screw. Is there an easy practical solution?

You can't just drill a small hole every 150mm or so and then nail it into place through the holes?

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

no need to use countersunk screws I just use escutcheon pins

 

[Garry R]

no need to use countersunk screws I just use escutcheon pins

I use frame pins but before popping them in (to my poly hives) I just dip the nail tip in a spot of Gorilla glue before tapping them home.

 

[JamezF]

I just use escutcheon pins

Which is what my last set of hives came with for attaching the rails, as far as I recall. I never knew they were called "escutcheon pins" though, so that's a seriously handy piece of information

James

 

[rolande]

Making plans for my Langstroth framed long hive. Framed hives normally have some kind of runner of plastic or metal to reduce the propolising of the frame lugs in the rebate.

Normally, but it's definitely not a necessity, short lug frames work fine without runners.

Is there an easy practical solution?

Don't use runners.

 

[rolande]

Totally random thought which hadn't occurred to me before, I wonder whether a lot of propolisation around the frame lugs is actually the result of having runners in the first place; the runner not only presents a very small point of contact which may allow for greater comb vibration in certain circumstances but also creates a well under the lugs that the bees deem undesirable so they get to work filling it. Probably total nonsense but its one possible explanation why hives without runners rarely receive so much attention of this nature.

 

[pargyle]

Totally random thought which hadn't occurred to me before, I wonder whether a lot of propolisation around the frame lugs is actually the result of having runners in the first place; the runner not only presents a very small point of contact which may allow for greater comb vibration in certain circumstances but also creates a well under the lugs that the bees deem undesirable so they get to work filling it. Probably total nonsense but its one possible explanation why hives without runners rarely receive so much attention of this nature.

I've found without runners they propolise the ends and sides of the lugs, effectively glueing them down. It's a lot easier to break the propolis seal when there is only a small point of contact on the frame runners than when there are no runners.

 

[rolande]

Short lugs?

 

[blackcloud]

One of my first hives was a secondhand maisemore and the runnerless rails had been multilated by the previous guys hive tool.
I'd set your frame height to include protection -you can always backfill with something (a hardwood strip perhaps) if you then decide against it

 

[ericbeaumont]

hives normally have some kind of runner of plastic or metal

Many suppliers sell metal runners which are pretty useless as the resulting gap beneath the lug is 3-7mm and defeats the purpose.

This thorough thread from Hiveanidea explored the issue; end result was that Maisemore sell the real deal.

 

[user 22174]

Many suppliers sell metal runners which are pretty useless as the resulting gap benath the lug is 3-7mm and defeats the purpose.

This thorough thread from Hiveanidea explored the issue; end result was that Maisemore sell the real deal.

Blimey. I see I wasn't over-thinking the issues

 

[rolande]

Blimey. I see I wasn't over-thinking the issues

If you want runners it may even be worth contacting a few of the hive makers to see if they can cut you longer lengths to order, the runners must be made in lengths and cut down to size...

 

[Doey]

I use 3mm metal skim stop beads, you can buy a 2.5m length for a couple of pound in any builders merchants.
They come with holes already in them,just cut to length with a pair of tin snips.

 

[robert gallacher]

Making plans for my Langstroth framed long hive. Framed hives normally have some kind of runner of plastic or metal to reduce the propolising of the frame lugs in the rebate. Frames will be self spacing, hoffman type and need to slide. I am thinking a strip of flat aluminium would do the job but it's all extra fiddle to let it in, drill, countersink, screw. Is there an easy practical solution?

Thin stop angle bead, held with drawing pins. 5 years later.