Foundation makeing

[BillS]

Does anyone out there still take your beeswax and make foundation out of it for you? Small cell?
Or failing that how would you make blank starter strips? I don't have hundreds of pounds or any thing like that, but at least I know where my wax has been and what it has been exsposed to and I would like to "roll my own" if I can.

Bill S.

[Michael Bush]

There is a section here:

http://www.beesource.com/pov/lusby/part14.htm

I've made sheets and cut blank starter strips. But I have learned to prefer a simple wooden comb guide. Sometimes the starter strips fall out.

Here's a comb on a blank starter strip:

http://www.bushfarms.com/images/PrimaryCombOnBlankStarterStrip.JPG

[Murphy]

Michael, do you dip your wooden comb guides in wax, or just use as is?

[BillS]

Michael,
How about if I make 1/16" starter strips and dip them in wax before I install them? If thats a good idea, how wide would you suggest? I have a wood shop and can make any size I want, as thin as .031. I have more time than sense.
If I cull combs this spring do you think it would work to replace a full deep with starter strips(I do a reversal in april,so I would do it then)and then the other deep next spring to get them onto small cell? I know from some of your other posts that I would have to do this a couple of times to get them all the way onto small cell.
Thanks for your input. I'm not new to beekeeping,but mites,fgmo,small cell this is new to me.

Bill S

[Lew Best]

Come to beesource chat most any night around 8-8:30 pm & talk to fat beeman. he makes small cell foundation; is there most nights.

Lew

[Aspera]

Murphy,
I konw that its off the topic, but I really like your signature quotation.

[Michael Bush]

>do you dip your wooden comb guides in wax, or just use as is?

I just use bare wood.

>How about if I make 1/16" starter strips and dip them in wax before I install them?

You can, but I don't see that it's necessary.

>If thats a good idea, how wide would you suggest?

It just needs to stick out a little. a 3/4" piece in the groove stickes out plenty far enough, but even if it sticks out 1/4" it's plenty.

>do you think it would work to replace a full deep with starter strips(I do a reversal in april,so I would do it then)and then the other deep next spring to get them onto small cell?

That can work. But I might do a guide on the sides so it gets connected better or a wire or a center support of some kind. http://www.bushfarms.com/images/DadantDeep1.jpg Langstroth put a center support in running vertically. http://www.bushfarms.com/images/LangstrothFrame.jpg A deep has a lot of comb to support. Also be sure you break the habit of turning frames sideways. Not a good idea with foundationless. smile.gif

[Robert Hawkins]

Hey MB, I'm looking for one of those little wax dipper, hold your finger over the end, thingybobs. do I need to make it or is there a standard?

Hawk

[Sundance]

Hawk..... I think you are talking about a wax tube...

If you are they are for sale. I got mine from Kelly's for about $5.

I see Dadant has them as well.

http://www.dadant.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?osCsid=9fa74388b0acc93e 8539630f924baa90&search_in_description=1&keywords=wax+tube&osCsid=9fa74388b0acc93e8539630f924baa90&x =11&y=15 (http://www.dadant.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?osCsid=9fa74388b0acc93e 8539630f924baa90&search_in_description=1&keywords=wax+tube&osCsid=9fa74388b0acc93e8539630f924baa90&x=11&y=15)

[Robert Hawkins]

Thanks Bruce, yeah. that what I said. A wax tube.

tongue.gif

Hawk

[Sundance]

They work sweet. The only problem I have had is the wood handle tends to seperate from the tube. The loose fit also allows air to bleed in making the wax drip out with less control.

I used high temp silicone gasket sealer and 2 set screws and it improved the tube quite a bit. Less dripping......

[Robert Hawkins]

Sounds like I should buy it from you. Or make it. Hmmmm.

Hawk

[Sundance]

Mine ain't for sale young man ;) . One could make it I guess. I personally would rather spend the $5.

If you do make it, the bottom crimp has to be soldered, then drilled. I can measure things up if that would be a help....... Like tube ID, length, hole diameters, etc.

[Michael Bush]

I bought mine from Walter T. Kelly back when they seemed to be the only place that had them. I had to put a frame nail through the pipe into the handle to keep it from falling off and I drilled out the hole in the tip just a bit to make it not get clogged up so much.

I still think it's easier to buy it and fix it than make it from scratch.

[George Fergusson]

I made a wax tube out of a 6" piece of 1/2" copper tubing, and a hammer. Stuck an 8d nail in the end and beat the tubing around it. Nothing fancy, but it works. I don't use it much- I had 2 shallow supers I was setting up with some thin comb foundation and needed to wax it into the frame. It got kinda hot to handle so I wrapped a paper towel around the end. If I was going to use it alot I'd probably buy one, or putz with my design and fabricate a handle for it.

These days, if I have an extra $5 I'm inclined to buy food with it.

George-

[Robert Hawkins]

Six inches of 1/2 inch copper tubing it is. And $5 worth of fried chicken. George, you're pretty specific in how big the opening needs to bee. Anyone else wanna say what doesn't get clogged?

BTW MB, I'm feeling more independent today sitting here with TBs and popsicle sticks on my lap. Elmer's on the bak of the couch. If I screw it up too badly, I'll spend the money.

Hawk