Using just top bars in national supers

[Curly green finger's]

Morning as per title has any one used just the top bars with strips in honey supers?
Thanks

 

[pargyle]

Morning as per title has any one used just the top bars with strips in honey supers?
Thanks

Why would you want to ?

I run foundationless in supers with just a starter strip and they fill the frames out ... You will find that, if you just give them a starter strip and a top bar, they will build a catenary shaped comb - they won't be particularly strong as they will only be connected to the top bar and when they are filled with honey they will break off very easily. You will also find that without a guide for them to work to they will build comb in any direction they see fit.

 

[alancooper]

I do this with two equally spaced vertical wooden skewers as reinforcement. Each frame alternates with a frame of wired foundation to control brace comb. Excessive speed on extracting honey can lead to comb distortion. The method suits me but with large numbers of hives it Is probably not feasible.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Just a thought because of my kit situation and being as folk use top bar hives and mini nucs with just top bars a question of interest.

 

[Hull Bees]

I started experimenting with foundationless frames without wax starters on my brood frames after another beekeeper showed me his. Still using skewers for support but in place of wax strips I've used wooden lollipop sticks from Hobbycraft.
Placing the frame between existing drawn frames the bees are building straight comb from the stick edge.

 

[drex]

In my experience in my TBH the bees would attach the comb to the sides of the box. I would use a carving knife to detach. It needs careful handling, always keeping the comb vertical

 

[JamezF]

Isn't it common practice to crush and press the honey out of combs from a top bar hive?

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

sounds like a recipe for disaster and probably cost more as I doubt you'll be able to buy 'second quality' top bars without the complete pack of the other components

 

[blackcloud]

I've made up emergency frames from stripwood before now.Not pretty but tided me over until the next sale (Maisemores in a couple of weeks)
I also shrink down surplus space for smaller colonies with fat frames so not to use up real ones.
I cannot believe how many frames my apiary soaks up.Every time I get another pack of 50 "that will see out my beekeeping days"-they're gone.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I’m out and I had 300 a month ago just ordering 500 more I could do with buying a bulk order of second hand national broods.

 

[Pembroke]

Why would you want to ?

I run foundationless in supers with just a starter strip and they fill the frames out ... You will find that, if you just give them a starter strip and a top bar, they will build a catenary shaped comb - they won't be particularly strong as they will only be connected to the top bar and when they are filled with honey they will break off very easily. You will also find that without a guide for them to work to they will build comb in any direction they see fit.

Sounds like a Warre hive. They have top bars but no sides, the problem is the comb get's stuck to the side of the box and you then need to be able to separate it from the box to get the (quite delicate) frame out. Warre owners have a special angled knife with a long handle for the job.

https://www.rebelbees.ca/products/warre-comb-knife-couteau-a-rayons-warre

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I’m out and I had 300 a month ago just ordering 500 more

you should ask Denrosa about a bulk order of pre waxed frames

 

[Curly green finger's]

you should ask Denrosa about a bulk order of pre waxed frames

And pine boxes?
I need 20 broods

 

[JamezF]

Or there's these (for the frames), if they're any help. I know nothing about them though. Just saw the ad on FB.

Log into Facebook

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

And pine boxes?
I need 20 broods

Maisie's sales start on the 23rd June - for three days

 

[Curly green finger's]

Maisie's sales start on the 23rd June - for three days

Thanks both I need them next week the 23rd is an age away.

 

[Ian123]

Maisie's sales start on the 23rd June - for three days

Maismores are good but due to the demand I doubt you’ll get the items as fast as you need. They’re behind on standard orders atm.
I’d try Murray for pre made boxes complete with the frames. At least you’ll save time on assembly!

 

[Curly green finger's]

The brood boxes would be for transferring 12 frame nucs.
In 4 weeks they will go up to the stances

 

[Sutty]

When I called at modern beekeeping recently they had a load of wired frames like those, I presume they do the foundation too. May be worth an email

 

[user 20297]

I've even used top-bars without side-bars as deep comb in a bait-hive. The bees didn't glue them to the side-walls and a year later, the comb is well stuck to the bar and neatly trimmed to match the framed comb size. But at hive temperature I can't safely turn the comb out of vertical or the weight would detach it from the bar.