convert from 10 frame to 8 frame

[tbeddy]

1. I am using 10 frame medium boxes for brood and supers. What is the best way to permanently convert them to 8 frame boxes? (In the future all of my boxes will hold 8 frames.)
2. In this cold climate, 3-10 frame boxes work well, will 3-8 frame boxes be OK?
Thanks

[peggjam]

You might want to plan on 4 eight frame boxes, as you will loose 6 frames by going to eight frame equipment.:)

[tecumseh]

first off perhaps I should ask... why are you wishing to do this? do you recognize the kinds of problems this may encourage?

they do make 8 frame self spacing cleats for ten frame equipment... I likely have about 200 pairs of these that I recently removed from some old equipment. like peggjam if for some reason I though 8 frames was desirable, I would start with 8 frame equipment.

[tbeddy]

I need to reduce lifting weight due to a disk problem in my lower back and a ligament tear in my shoulder. I don't want to quit.

What does an '8 frame self spacing cleats for ten frame equipment' look like, can they be made or where can they be purchased.
I have 15 boxes now, all new ones will be 8 frame. Thanks.

[Ross]

8 frame spacing in a 10 frame box won't lower the weight much as the combs will just get fatter. It does make for nice extracting however. Michael Bush has converted to all 8 frame boxes for the same reason. Check the Bush farms website and see what he has to say about it.

[Sundance]

I am converting to 8 frame as well. Even in this harsh, nasty,
climate 2 deep 8 frames do as well as the 2 deep 10's I have.
Feed em' good going into fall and get on them as soon as you
can in the spring.

3 deep 8 frame would be a good plenty I would think.

[tecumseh]

tbeddy writes:
What does an '8 frame self spacing cleats for ten frame equipment' look like, can they be made or where can they be purchased.
I have 15 boxes now, all new ones will be 8 frame. Thanks.

tecumseh replies:
they are formed medal frame rest that are installed with 4 or 5 small nails on the existing rabbets in the box. the new kelley's catalog has them on page 21 they are $5.50/10 (requires 2 per box). I would suggest you not try to make the self spacer although you could fabricate a bar with 9 little trangles and manually space using the existing cleat (someone use to make these which I think was made of aluminum).

have you considered cutting down and going to mediums or shallows?

[Galaxy]

I need to reduce lifting weight due to a disk problem in my lower back and a ligament tear in my shoulder. I don't want to quit.

What does an '8 frame self spacing cleats for ten frame equipment' look like, can they be made or where can they be purchased.
I have 15 boxes now, all new ones will be 8 frame. Thanks.

I believe what you are saying is that you want to cut down your 10 frame to 8 frame boxes, since you say that "all new ones will be 8 frame"

All of my boxes are 8 frame mediums. They are great and all frames are interchangeable. I use three boxes for brood. No doubt, they are a lot lighter.

[WVbeekeeper]

The easiest way is to buy new 8 frame hive bodies. Either sale your old ones to someone or cut them down when you get the time for future use.

[Michael Bush]

>1. I am using 10 frame medium boxes for brood and supers. What is the best way to permanently convert them to 8 frame boxes? (In the future all of my boxes will hold 8 frames.)

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm

>2. In this cold climate, 3-10 frame boxes work well, will 3-8 frame boxes be OK?
Thanks

I assume you mean for wintering? It works fine with Carniolans and the ferals. I'd use four for Italians.

[tbeddy]

Thanks for all your knowledge!

[Korny's Korner]

Another option would be to use follower boards to reduce your space.

[CSbees]

I agree with Ross first off. The weight change will be negligible. I would just use shallows for honey supers. I got into the mediums for brood and supers for a while but they were even for me, a young guy, too heavy, akward, and not practical. I would urge you to stay with 10 frame equipment and just use shallows.