>ok so is it better to put in a few large cell (since thats what I already bought) in there and 2 foundationless like one on each side of the 3 in the center?? or can I have 5 foundationless in there with the 5 they come on?
If what you want is natural cell size, I would never put large cell foundation in the hive. It will serve no purpose and only create the problem of how to get it out without depriving them of resources. If you have large cell COMB with resources on it (from the nuc), then I might use that and deal with how to remove it later.
> Like foundationless frame, nuc frame, foundationless frame, nuc frame, nuc frame, nuch frame, foundationless frame, nuc frame , foundationless frame, foundationless frame (or should that last one be one with a foundation so I don't end up with 2 frames all meshed together?
That will spread the brood too thin and stress the bees greatly. I would put all the nuc frames in the center and the foundationless on the outside. After about a week, if they are doing well, I might put one of the foundationless in the center of the drawn comb. After that is drawn and layed full of brood, I would add another. Repeat until the foundationless are either drawn where they are or have been moved to the center.
>and I looked at your post about using corrugated plastic for your foundationless frames, do you use anything to hold that in the frame or just push it in there and it stays put?
If you're cutting plastic foundation, you will have to either nail it in or glue it in or wax it in.
> I was thinking about using popsicle sticks on the top and bottom of mine.
You can. The bottom isn't worth the work, IMO.
> I have a 10 frame setup....should I also add a few rows of wire for strength?
How many frames is irelevant. The dept of the frame might be. Some people put wires in. I don't, but I also don't use deeps.
>now about assembling the foundationless frames. Since I have a 10 frame deep should I put one wire rod through the center for stability in addition to the popsicle sticks?
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm#dowire>and how do I set the sticks in? should I set them sideways and glue in to make a 1/2/-3/4 inch lip?
Yes.
> or legthwise for a few inches of lip?
No. You're making a starter strip that happens to be made of wood. Here's one made of wax with a small comb started on it:
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/PrimaryCombOnBlankStarterStrip.JPG>and one more question (I ordered a beginner kit that lacks instructions :/)
They all lack instructions.
> how do I secure the frames together? should they be glued or nailed or stapled?
If you have a pnumatic 1/4" crown stapler with 1" staples in it that works wonderful. But you can use the nails that came with it. I glue mine before nailing.
> there are no predilled holes or anything, the frame peices fit together well but I have no idea where on the frame I should be securing them or how.
I rely more on the glue than the nails. You should nail down from the top into the end bars. Flip it and nail the bottom bar into the end bars. Then nail from the ends into the ends of the top bar. A nailing jig helps a lot. Walter T. Kelley sells them or there have been many plans on here.