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Author Topic: Question on narrow frames.  (Read 4227 times)

Offline richter1978

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Question on narrow frames.
« on: December 13, 2013, 11:16:05 am »
I haven't been able to find the answer to my question.

That is, when cutting down 1 3/8" frames to 1 1/4", should the lower portion of the end bars be cut down also?  That space gets awfully small.  Additionally I want to make my already assembled and used frames narrow, any pointers?  Thanks!

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2013, 08:26:52 pm »
I just plane down the edges of the wide part.  Nothing else.  You can if you're inclined...
« Last Edit: December 16, 2013, 07:39:59 am by Michael Bush »
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Offline richter1978

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2013, 07:23:29 pm »
Thank you!  Don't want to do any unnecessary work!

Offline flyboy

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2014, 09:20:53 pm »
I am new here. Why would you cut them down?
Cheers
Al
First packages - 2 queens and bees May 17 2014 - doing well

Moots

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2014, 11:16:19 pm »
I am new here. Why would you cut them down?

If you fit 11 frames in a 10 frame brood box, or 9 frames in a 8 frame brood box...Your in essence gaming the system, that extra frame allows for more comb, hence more cells, hence more place for the queen to lay, hence more bees in the same amount of space.

Sort of the opposite of what a lot of folks do in their honey supers...One less frame there allows for thicker comb.  The folks that do it claim you get more honey, or at least as much, per box, with the thicker comb.  Advantages are fewer frames to uncap and extract, as well as being easier to uncap.

Not saying I'll never give one or the other, or both a try....but for now, I'm content simply using the standard # of frames in both my brood boxes and honey supers.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2014, 11:46:27 pm by Moots »

Offline Vance G

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2014, 11:23:11 pm »
I am new here. Why would you cut them down?

What Moots said plus the small cell plastic frames are drawn out a lot more concisely to pattern when the frames are packed in tighter.

Offline flyboy

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2014, 01:46:37 am »
OK Thanks.
Cheers
Al
First packages - 2 queens and bees May 17 2014 - doing well

Offline Variable

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2014, 08:03:25 pm »
I do not want to hijack this thread but my question about cutting frames is highly related. Sorry if this is a problem.

If I cut down the 1 3/8 to 1 1/4 (centers) by cutting off 1/16 from each side will that not cause a problem with "bee space" between the top bars? The gap on my Kelly frames (1 inch top bars) will then be 1/4 inch..... I thought that was "too small"???

I am getting fully regressed small cell bees to put on these frames in about 3 weeks and before I take a saw to the pile of frame parts I want to be sure I am doing this properly and do not need to modify the top bar also. Thanks!
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2014, 08:58:03 pm »
1/4" to 3/8" is the range of bee space.  1/4" is not too small.  Bees will squeeze through 1/6" if they need to but will often propolize that size space if they don't need to get through it.  They can't get through less than 1/6".
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Offline Variable

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Re: Question on narrow frames.
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2014, 12:08:38 am »
Thank you Michael. I thought I had read that somewhere but could not find it. I was afraid I was about to make a queen excluder or worse.
I want to beelieve.
WA Apiary ID WA14-077
8 medium hives. 5 Langstroth, 3 Nuc
See hive data at
http://twolittleladiesapiary.com/cms/node/6
https://www.facebook.com/twolittleladiesapiary

 

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