Spacing question

[Levitt53]

Sorry, I am still confused with spacing. The hive I originally got has a mix of Hoffman frames and the type with plastic spacers (11 in all). The frames are all quite old looking (I'm in the processing of changing them over slowly) but they all fit in nicely with no dummy board. The first set of new frames I bought were the plastic spacer type. I soon decided that these would be fiddly so the next lot I bought were Hoffmann. I've used one of the spacer type ones in the hive and made the rest up in a spare brood box, obviously one short, so I've put one of the Hoffmans in there to make 11 and the space given looks different and I've had to put a plastic spacer on the Hoffman frame to make it the same. I've made another brood box up just with 11 hoffmans and there is loads of spare space. I'd need to put two dummy boards in at least. I know I should just use one type but I can't understand why the space that the two types give isn't the same. can someone enlighten me. Sorry if I'm being a bit dense about this.

 

[wightbees]

It seems the original spacing was 1.5 inch ( I think) this gives a even spacing of 11 frames. Hofmann Frames are 38 mm I think which means squeeze another frame in or dummy board, one board will be ok, you don't need to fill the gap up

 

[enrico]

You are right, they are different spacing, I use plastic, even on my Hoffman frames, otherwise it gets confusing. Try and stick to one type. i prefer the slightly wider spacing the plastic gives me.
E

 

[Levitt53]

So if I used the Hoffman ones but just spaced them out a bit more this would be ok and the bees would sort it out? I'm planning to do a split with my snelgrove board at the end of May presuming I don't need to split them before this. So I fear they are going to end up as a bit of a mix whatever I do.

 

[Poly Hive]

Assuming you are on Nationals it is not that unusual for a BB especially a new one to take 12 frames.

Any particular reason for using a Snelgrove board? There are simpler methods.

PH

 

[alfazer]

So if I used the Hoffman ones but just spaced them out a bit more this would be ok and the bees would sort it out? I'm planning to do a split with my snelgrove board at the end of May presuming I don't need to split them before this. So I fear they are going to end up as a bit of a mix whatever I do.

The Hoffman frames are designed to be spaced by their sidebars touching each other. If you try to space out the Hoffmans by say 2 or 3mm, it will encourage the bees to propolise this gap between the sidebars, so every time you go in to inspect, the frames are stuck together and when you try to replace them again, you will have a mess of bees getting stuck and crushed in the propolis.

 

[Levitt53]

Why doesn't this happen with the plastic spacer ones then?

 

[Levitt53]

Assuming you are on Nationals it is not that unusual for a BB especially a new one to take 12 frames.

Any particular reason for using a Snelgrove board? There are simpler methods.

PH

Yes I have nationals. So I could use 12 hoffmans in it then? Although as I say it might end up a bit of a mix.

Regards the snelgrove I went to a talk about them and it made sense to me and seemed simple enough.

 

[alfazer]

Why doesn't this happen with the plastic spacer ones then?

Because those frames have straight side bars, unlike the hoffmans. The straight side bars stay further apart (more than one beespace, approx 6mm) so the bees dont propolise them. Just like the lower part of a hoffman sidebar

Bees will build propolis on any space that is smaller than one beespace. Thats why you need to keep Hoffman frames tight together. They are described as "self-spacing"

 

[Poly Hive]

Ah a talk. Well good luck with it.

PH

 

[Swarm]

Why doesn't this happen with the plastic spacer ones then?

Because the side bars don't touch like the Hoffmans which are wider at the top. I have a hive currently with old DN 1 frames and a couple of Hoffmans that I've slipped in as the old ones are replaced. It's no great shakes but you may find problems when moving frames for splits etc, as some combs won't go together.
11 combs spaced nicely with no dummy board, gives nice, fat honey arcs. Whatever spacing you use, it's better to stick with it, for convenience if nothing else.

 

[Levitt53]

Ah ok I was forgetting about the side bars. I was focusing on the space at the top. That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Levitt53]

Ah a talk. Well good luck with it.

PH

I liked the fact that it was step by step. Bleeding the bees off made sense plus I don't have too much space so one on top made sense. We'll see.