I just got into beekeeping actively about two months ago. Thanks folks for all the information that kept me from making some very big mistakes. :)
About a week ago, just on a hunch, I cut most of the plastic cell base out of a pierco frame, leaving about a one inch run along the top and inserted it into my first super. The bees, which have been relatively slow to make comb, went hog wild on it. They covered the remaining plastic area and then proceeded to make some very good looking free hanging honeycomb off of it, while staying within the guidelines of the frame.
Are there an downsides to doing this a few frames at a time? I think effectively I'm getting a top modified bar hive. I am not planning on using an extractor come fall, so that point is moot.