The Jury's still out on whether I just use top bars or foundationless frames at present ... my hive's are the width of 14x12 frames so I have options.
To be honest, it's unlikely a colony would reach swarming size in it's first year but if it does then we will all have had a fantastic spring and early summer.
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Personally I would go for foundationless frames with couple of strands of wire to support the comb. It sounds as though you could adapt frames for your hive or better still construct some to fit. The advantage with frames allows you to inspect the comb and bees easily and a great help when first learning. Later when you are happy and confident you can go with TBH.
Its up to you in the end and you sound ready and keen to get going and I wish you well but a phrase often mentioned is the bees don’t read the books and not even this forum so for me that’s why I think foundationless frames will be good easier not only for you but perhaps a mentor who you have called with one problem or two.
I have converted over to foundationless frames and for me its wonderful I have learnt and will continue to learn more over the years from the bees, foundation is ok if that’s what people want but dull in comparison.
One final point and a follow on from bees don’t read the books is don’t think its unlikely the bees will reach swarming size in the first year, plenty of factors trigger swarming and size is only one of them and perhaps not one of the most important.
