Making your own frames

[Murox]

And I thought it was only me sticking bits of wax together, I usually melt weld, doesn't always work.

Oh no, you are not alone at all

 

[Antipodes]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone who makes their own frames put grooves in them. Simpler just to wire the frames and use unwired foundation, doubly so if you're making the foundation yourself. Nor are they required if you're using starter strips or are completely foundationless.

Outside the UK, I'm not even sure how common grooved frames are. Certainly there are plenty of videos made by non-UK beekeepers on youtube showing that they're using ungrooved frames, even with pre-wired foundation.

James

This sort of arrangement with frames is what I see here.

https://burnettbeekeepingsupplies.com.au/shop/frames/timber-frames/hoop-pine-frames/

Or these...
https://www.qualitybeekeepingsuppli...ue/item/99-frames-full-depth-eyelets-inserted

Sometimes there is a groove on the inner side of the bottom bar too (more for plastic foundation).

https://www.qualitybeekeepingsuppli...e/item/104-frames-wood-for-plastic-foundation

 

[rolande]

Thorne ? enlighten as to your method please

Even Thornes don't groove the sidebars for their dadant frames (at least,I've never had any from them with the grooves) just not needed if using wired frames. Although they do offer prewired dadant foundation.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The bees are happy with just a dribble of wax under the top bar ...a strip of foundation is luxury !

When I arrived at the orphanage at Ha Makhate in 2014 I found that they had just placed the Langstroths they had been gifted out in the peach orchards with just wired frames, no foundation in, six had already been occupied by swarms, in all but one they had drawn perfect comb just using the top groove as a quide (no starter strip, wax bead or anything) and even the one that wasn't perfect, they had followed the groove for two thirds of the way but had decided to take a 45° deviation at the end.
The frames weren't even built to African spacings but to the wider European bee comb spacings