The FatBeeMan has a video where he uses fishing string. Good luck
Joe
flyboy,
I've seen and watched the video Joe is referring to, but personally have never tried using monofilament instead of actual wire, so I can't offer a hands on opinion. Over time, I've seen a lot of comments about it on different forums...Like most things in beekeeping, it seems to work well for some, and not so well for others. I've seen some say that their bees won't build comb around it while other say the bees keep eating through it...And others say it works fine. Who knows! :-D
I've wired about 100 frames the other day getting ready for spring, I will admit, it wasn't as frustrating as I remember it being last year...Once you find a system that works for you, a lot of folks make a jig. Instead I set me a stool up in front of the vise on my workbench, get comfortable and settle in. I insert the brass eyelets before assembling my frames...After assembly and when I'm ready to wire, I do the following to wire my medium frames:
Step 1: Start the two small nails, nailed about 3/4ths of the way in on the side of the sidebars that will be used to secure the wire.
Step 2: Place the top bar of the frame in the vise, inverted...Bottom side up with nails on side bar to the right and facing me.
Step 3: Thread the wire through the top hole on the right, straight across and out the top hole on the left, back in the bottom hole on the left and out the bottom hole on the right.
Step 4: Wrap the end around the bottom nail 3 to 6 times, and finish inserting the nail with a pair of channel lock pliers.
Step 5: Take the slack out of the wire, pulling it somewhat tight by strumming it like a guitar string.
Step 6: Then I take an Irwin Bar clamp (with a block of wood attached to one end with a slot to allow my wire on the left side not be be pinched) and suck in the two sidebars towards each other. (Note: Don't get too crazy, I have broken a frame :'( )
Step 7: Pull the wire tight again while strumming it, then grab the wire several inches past where it is exiting the frame, either with some needle nose pliers or vise grips, while holding tension, cut the wire from the spool. (Note: Yes you will break the wire if you pull to hard till you get use to it...and even on occasion after you are use to it. :-D, sometimes it's a thin line between tight and TOO tight. LOL!) I'd say in the last 100 frames I've wired, that I broke the wire trying to pull it too tight on 2 or 3 occasions! And yes, it's frustrating as hell!
Step 8: While holding tension, wrap 4 to 6 times around top nail and finish inserting the nail with channel lock pliers.
Step 9: Remove the bar clamp, that little extra release of tension really tightens the wires up!
This is what works for me...
Good Luck! :)
Topic: Wires for frames (Read 6006 times)