Who makes their own foundation?

[user 20917]

I have been making my own foundation for many years.

 

[Olivia9801]

Brilliant.

What melter and press do you use in the video?

 

[plain_hunt]

I make my own foundation. Started off with a silicon press that Garry R made for me. I then tried some rollers from another BK friend, and decided it worked better for me. I now have a large Bain Marie that I melt the wax in, and a set of large, very heavy rollers that work brilliantly. Although I do find I need to out the sheets in a plastic bag to roll, as no matter what I’ve tried, they still stick to the rollers! I didn’t buy the kit, my division bought it, and it lives at my house. my husband then made me a wiring machine That’s on its second modification, again due to the same BK friend above. Works well for me. And I find it making foundation almost as therapeutic as going through the bees!
I still have Garry’s foundation press, but it doesn’t often get used now. I find the rolled sheets are a lot more flexible, less brittle, than the ones from the silicon press.
I’ve got a video somewhere, I’ll find it and post it later.

 

[user 20917]

Brilliant.

What melter and press do you use in the video?

The press comes from Graze. The wax I melt in another kettle and then pour it into this container. Au bain marie it is kept at the right temperature.

 

[Midget Gem]

I don't. Yet. I bought a couple of sheets of plastic foundation this year with the intention of making a silicone mould from them and trying to press sheets of foundation from the silicone, but I've not got very far with that yet (where "not very far" is roughly approximated by "nowhere"). I wanted to have a go because wax doesn't appear to have much value when sold (as candles, for instance) or exchanged for foundation when compared to the resources consumed to create it. I'd quite happily use it to make starter strips for frames instead if that works (and I've been told that it can do so even when it isn't pressed into a hexagonal pattern to start the cells off for the bees), because from my point of view that's a more valuable use of the wax.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with the roller. The impression I have is that pressed wax can be quite brittle whereas rolled wax is more malleable though as I've tried neither I don't know if that's true.

James

Did you get round to using the plastic foundation to make a mould? Was wondering how well it went.

 

[JamezF]

Did you get round to using the plastic foundation to make a mould? Was wondering how well it went.

Sadly not yet. Been mostly chasing my tail for the last month trying to keep up with making floors, crownboards and roofs.

James

 

[sarahcorlett2566]

Does anyone know where to get foundation sheets for 14 x 12 frames? All the ones I’m finding are too small to make those. Ta.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maisemore's, Thornes, nearly every other beekeeping supplier

 

[sarahcorlett2566]

Sorry, I meant foundation template sheets to make your own. Not actual foundation.

 

[Garry R]

Never seen a 14x12 mould made commercially. I make a 14 x 12 silicone foundation mould but you have to "stitch" two sheets of plastic foundation together to make it and that's the long and tedious part of the process. It does work but it drove me nuts!!

 

[sarahcorlett2566]

Never seen a 14x12 mould made commercially. I make a 14 x 12 silicone foundation mould but you have to "stitch" two sheets of plastic foundation together to make it and that's the long and tedious part of the process. It does work but it drove me nuts!!

Thank you. I thought I must be searching with the wrong words but it seems like I’m searching for something that doesn’t exist!

 

[JamezF]

You could make your own mould from a sheet of 14x12 foundation, perhaps?

James

 

[JamezF]

Or come to think of it you could just make standard deep foundation, fit it to the frames and let the bees finish the rest.

James

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or come to think of it you could just make standard deep foundation, fit it to the frames and let the bees finish the rest.

James

Which they will do quite happily.
I have a super frame in one of my 14x12s which has been drawn down to the bottom perfectly straight with no side or bottom bars to guide it

 

[roche]

Does anyone know where to get foundation sheets for 14 x 12 frames? All the ones I’m finding are too small to make those. Ta.

I guess that is where rollers could work quite well.

 

[sarahcorlett2566]

Great ideas, thank you! I started one of the hives with standard frames in the 14x12 and they neatly built up the bottom part so the standard foundation sheet with them filling in the rest may well work. I’ll have a go at all of the suggestions and keep you posted!

 

[pargyle]

Never seen a 14x12 mould made commercially. I make a 14 x 12 silicone foundation mould but you have to "stitch" two sheets of plastic foundation together to make it and that's the long and tedious part of the process. It does work but it drove me nuts!!

I have one ... it's a Langstroth size so will cut down to 14 x 12. I picked it up on ebay - came from somewhere like Lithuania from memory. They don't seem to be advertising any more though ...

We've been here before though ... this thread..

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/honey-frames-wax-foundation-sheets-and-foundationless.48608/

 

[sarahcorlett2566]

Sorry if I’m asking questions that have already been discussed. I did look and couldn’t see anything that answered my questions. The info that’s been provided is really helpful so thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

[boywonder]

Hi all - I'm going to have a bash at making some of my own foundation with a Leaf Press. It'll be a learning experience, and I'm not too precious about the quality of the outcome, as most, if not all, will be cut into strips to use as starters for foundationless frames. Thus far I have been (badly) making flat sheets for the same purpose, by dipping a paddle into molten wax.

The question I have is relating to the release agent.

The Dave Cushman site and the above posts mention using detergent (soapy water) as a release agent. I'm completely averse to introducing anything containing synthetic chemicals into the hive, and this therefore gives me the ick. Also, I'm not a molecular chemist so don't know whether the soapy water will sit on the surface of the wax - and can therefore be completely rinsed off, or whether it will be partly assimilated into the material itself.

For this reason, when making my crappy flat sheets, I have been using olive oil as a release agent instead. Seems quite effective.

Any comments on the either my soap worries, or the wisdom of using e.g. olive oil would be welcome before I embark on my little journey. Cheers.

 

[The Poot]

Hi all - I'm going to have a bash at making some of my own foundation with a Leaf Press. It'll be a learning experience, and I'm not too precious about the quality of the outcome, as most, if not all, will be cut into strips to use as starters for foundationless frames. Thus far I have been (badly) making flat sheets for the same purpose, by dipping a paddle into molten wax.

The question I have is relating to the release agent.

The Dave Cushman site and the above posts mention using detergent (soapy water) as a release agent. I'm completely averse to introducing anything containing synthetic chemicals into the hive, and this therefore gives me the ick. Also, I'm not a molecular chemist so don't know whether the soapy water will sit on the surface of the wax - and can therefore be completely rinsed off, or whether it will be partly assimilated into the material itself.

For this reason, when making my crappy flat sheets, I have been using olive oil as a release agent instead. Seems quite effective.

Any comments on the either my soap worries, or the wisdom of using e.g. olive oil would be welcome before I embark on my little journey. Cheers.

Good luck with that