wire embedded wax foundation

[jamiev]

Help!! I am trying to get ready for the late April package delivery.. The wire embedded small cell wax foundation I ordered from Brushy Mt is too big for my medium frames and not avail in that size. I cut the first one down and installed it in a medium frame last evening. It was an "interesting" experience. Is there an easy way to do it? I cut the wire first using a wire cutter. Then the easy part, the wax. It was room temperature. It turned out ok give or take a few "irregularities" I saved the left over piece to use as a starter in another frame. I figured I can feed it between full frames later in the season. Can anyone offer any advice?

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

I've used aviation tin snips and works out well. The offset angle of the snips allows for easy cutting of wax and wire. Wally world and Harbor Freight carries the set of three (right,left, and staight cut) for 9 - 10 bucks. You would need them anyhow when you get ready to build your own equipment and have to cut metal flashing for top covers. At least thats the one I used on the wife. :D

[jamiev]

I will go to the Harbor freight store later today. We have one here in Rochester. Thanks for the tip
If the wax gets slightly damaged like a small hole in one spot in one frame, will that matter or does it need to be perfect?

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

It will be fine. They will fix it. The most important thing with foundation is to be straight. They will draw out comb the way it sets. If its bowed you get a comb with deep cells on one side and shallow crowded cells on other. If your not cross wireing be shure to pin the sides so foundation will stay straight. Foundation will bow in the hive if bees take a while to draw out comb if foundation only has vertical support wire. The cheapest way to do this is use tooth picks in the side bar holes to support foundation. Its not the best method but does work and will buy more time to get them working on it.

[db_land]

Call Arlen at Dadant's IL office 888-922-1293. I ordered (and received) 6 1/4" (medium super size) wired small cell foundation. The product # for a 50 sheet box is F353503SC. :cool:

[jamiev]

Next time its Dadant i guess
i have these little metal pins that go thru the holes in the side of the frames and hold the foundation in place. The foundation in the first one I made seems to be slightly loose but it is staying in the grooves and pinned on the sides so I think it is ok. This is fun but I have to admit I am a little nervous about the package arriving and making the transfer into the new hive. I am reading a lot about it. I read the article in the new issue of bee culture. Did anyone else read it? Any comments? I have also read many other more conventional recommendations which I will most likely follow.