Payne nuc adaption.

[Newbeeneil]

I've just acquired a couple of old Paynes poly nucs. I seem to remember seeing that the feeder can be cut out to allow for 2 more frames.
Has anyone got details of how this is done?

 

[pargyle]

Here you are;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125609724@N03/albums/72157659314817230

I found the best tool for cutting the feeder out was an oscillating multitool .. you can use a bread knife but I found that it tended to tear the poly rather than cut it.

You use the bits of poly you cut out to fill the gaps left - I used car body filler to glue the in and fill the gaps - easy to sand down.

A coat of propolis varnish on the inside and bob's yer uncle.

Not difficult at all.

I also converted the standard national to a permanent 14 x 12 at the same time.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Cheers Philip!

 

[manek]

Nice job, thank you for sharing.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Just finished the adaption. Took me about an hour with the body filler but if you do another one Philip I'd recommend removing the dividing wall with a hot blade. I heated an old putty knife with a blow torch and it sliced through the poly in a matter of seconds.

 

[pargyle]

Good job - well done - I've got a new one I bought last year and had forgotten about - just found it in the back of the chamber of secrets so I'll get on and try your hot knife trick ... less messy than the oscillating tool I would think - there were crumbs if poly everywhere and it sticks with static to everything. Pleased you got there I find these three quarter boxes really useful and they are easily dummied down if you need less space for a colony. They are really good for over wintering smaller colonies as well .. slab of 25mm insulation either side and you have a really toasty five frame nuc.

 

[pargyle]

Just finished the adaption. Took me about an hour with the body filler but if you do another one Philip I'd recommend removing the dividing wall with a hot blade. I heated an old putty knife with a blow torch and it sliced through the poly in a matter of seconds.

I modified a new Paynes poly nuc that I had in store today ... using the hot knife method is much better than my previous method of using an oscillating multi tool. The heated paint scraper I used today goes through the poly like a knofe through butter .. no crumbs of polystyrene and it leaves a nice sealed surface.

Definitely the way to do it - Good call Neil.