Frame grabber thing

[Martha]

Today I was very slow and careful. Also, had my pants legs covered http://www.beesource.com/ubb/wink.gif

I almost dropped a frame while brushing the bees off (I do it one frame at a time). I'm also only 5'1" and sometimes I am having to stand on something to see into the top of the super.

Do those Frame grabber things really work? And would it mess of the frame or gouge the comb?

Thanks,
Martha

[chemistbert]

Why not pull the super down whole and then have a look?

[Martha]

I'm not sure I could lift a whole super full of bees and honey. I tried last week and almost dropped the thing. I was glad I had someone with me, so we could set it down gently.

I think that lifting from a lower position is easier than lifting from about chest height on a cinderblock.

Thanks,
Martha

[Michael Bush]

Frame grips. I like the ones that are cast Aluminum and have round handles. I DON'T like the ones that are bent square metal. You have to be gentle with them to not squish the queen when you pick up a frame and you'll still get an occasional worker. The nice thing is they fit between the frames better than my fingers do.

[Dee]

i have both kinds: i also much prefer the ones that look like molded handles with flat metal for the grippers rather then the bent metal ones with points for the grippers

i tried using the bent handle one and dropped the frame, it seemed to just slip out - i've never dropped a frame using the other ones

i use to use it all the time but not much any more - when i extract i pull one frame out at a time and when the frames are heavy & full of honey it seems easier for me to use the frame gripper for at least the first frame then the hive tool there after

[kookaburra]

Hi
I use a frame grabber, but I find it is mainly helpful in getting the frames out... once the frame is out, I prefer to use the ears of the frame, and balance it on a corner.

The grabber tends to balance the weight of the frame in the middle of the frame, as a result you end up holding the whole frame with one hand instead of the frame taking the weight, and that is tiring.

It does do some small damage to the comb, but since the stores are at top the worst it does is open a couple of honey cells.

-rick

[tarheit]

I haven't found them very useful myself most of the time, and sometimes I had trouble getting them between the frames to pick them up (I have both the cast metal and stamped/bent metal kinds). So I really don't use them anymore. However, when balancing on top of a ladder they can be very useful so you can keep a hand on the ladder.

[dtwilliamson]

I have both types of frame grips and prefer to just pry a frame loose with my hive tool and hold it with my hands. Most of the time if I use them it is to lift the first frame out because I can't get my fingers in there. Then I just use my hive tool. Some frames are really heavy especially if they have alot of honey and my hands would cramp up.

[MRJPRICH]

I was going to order some frame grips, but I hate to wait for things to come... When I want to do something I want to do it then. So, seeing that I have a complete wood shop, I thought that I could come up with something. I modified a pull that you would find on a dresser drawer and flush mounted it on the top of the frame so it lays pretty flat, Doesn't take much work and it's perminant and works real well. I'm not sure what's avilable in all hardware stores but I'm sure that you could find something that would work for you.

[Michael Bush]

>I modified a pull that you would find on a dresser drawer and flush mounted it on the top of the frame so it lays pretty flat, Doesn't take much work and it's perminant and works real well.

So are you saying you have a handle on each frame?

[Daisy]

MB, mechanically thinking.

This might work for a season but the moisture would weaken em, me thinks... It'd be like grabbin it, and the handle might come off in the hand or just after it's raised.

PLOPP

What cha think?

[Michael Bush]

I think a handle on each frame would cause a lot of burr comb. But I was just curious what was meant.

[MRJPRICH]

Yes, I have a one on each frame. It didn;t cost much to do and seems to work for me. They are screwed on real tight so I don't think that they will fall off after one season, but we shall see. I have them on 3 supers and there is minimal burr comb so far, but even if it builds up I think that you could still use the handle. It;s the first season using them so I'll let you know how they last.