>Today I plan to begin a transition---from 10-frame deeps and shallows to all 8-frame mediums...and from pre-formed foundation to foundationless frames.
Great.
>I'll add my first medium boxes to my stack of deeps in a few hours. I've currently placed 8 frames with starter strips in the mediums.
Are they eight frame boxes or are you just putting 8 frames in them? If they are eight frame boxes you will need to fill the gap:
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/TenFrameToEight.JPGhttp://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm> I have NOT yet added a frame of full foundation in each box to use as a guide...should I? The only foundation I have on hand is large cell, and though I guess I could insert a large-cell frame in there, my goal is to move away from that.
I would not put it in.
>And because I haven't yet used medium frames, I have no drawn comb to use as a guide.
But you have starter strips as a guide...
>I guess my question is this: how important is it to give the bees a guide?
Essential. And you have them. Starter strips.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm#combguideBut I think this is your question:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm#wholebox> Or should I just deal with any rogue comb if it/as it occurs?
You should always do that.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm#whatif>And, based on the conversation occurring on another thread here, shall I add a 9th frame to take up the slack in the medium boxes? I've noticed that there's a noticeable amount of extra room in those boxes with only 8 frames.
An eight frame box is 13 3/4" wide (give or take depending on who made it). A ten frame box is 16 1/4" wide. You should put as many frames in the box as it will hold and put them tightly together in the center. If you are more motivated, then plane them down and put an extra one in. 11 in a ten frame box or 9 in an 8 frame box.
>Okay. Transition to all mediums AND foundationless frames will soon be underway around here. I'm eager to begin it.
I'm still unclear if you have ten frame medium boxes that you intend to put eight frames in or eight frame medium boxes you are adding to your ten frame hives... but make sure you fill the boxes with frames.