Starter Strip Question

[Pond Creek Farm]

I have a bunch of Rite Cell brand of foundation from Mann Lake but I do not use it.  I am curious if I could cut it into strips, staple it into the top bar and have acceptable starter strips for naturally built comb size.  I have used wax foundation and have some with just the wedge turned long-ways, but I still have many groove topped frames, and this approach would be substantially faster than melting in wax starter strips.  My concern is whether the bees will build the frame in the same cell size as the foundation starter strip (i.e. large cell) because that is on the top.

[fermentedhiker]

They only copy the cell size of the foundation while directly on the foundation.  They will draw whatever size they want once they get below the starter strip regardless of what the starter strip is.

[Robo]

It will work fine, in fact it will be better than wax starter strips as it will stay in the frames better.

[Natalie]

I always wondered about that too, good to know.

[EasternShore]

I've done this and they seem to love it.

[Tyro]

I have done this as well with old plastic I salvaged from a comm. beek and cleaned up.  It makes up all the strips in the bars of my top bar hive.

[doak]

How do you cut them? Sandwiched between two boards on a table saw?doak

[TimLa]

How do you cut them? Sandwiched between two boards on a table saw?doak

On a bandsaw, works great for plasticell.  Lacking that, tin snips or shears might work.

-T