Deep frames in TBH?

[peletier]

I have four nucs I would like to install in TBHs. The nucs are on deep frames and I would rather not cut up the combs. I'm thinking of using a queen excluder-following board to allow the brood to emerge and the combs to empty out. If I build the hives so that they will accomodate the deep frames before they begin to slope in, will they be too deep? That is, will the new combs be unmanageable?

Is it necessary to slope the sides? I have seen plans for long hives that use standard frames. Does anyone use this type of box with bars only?

[mistergil]

I use standard lang frame top pieces for my top bars but shim them slightly to get them to 1 3/8", some like to get them out to 1 1/2 for honey storage but this works well for me.

With the TTBH's (straights) at 12" deep that I am using, they build in some cases all the way to the floor; the new wax is prone to collapse for me so I will build them at 8 to 10" depth in the future. The 12" combs are heavy when full and easily damaged during examination if tilted incorrectly. The jury is still out on the exact comb height yet but in a season or more I will have a better feel for it.

[Michael Bush]

>I have four nucs I would like to install in TBHs. The nucs are on deep frames and I would rather not cut up the combs. I'm thinking of using a queen excluder-following board to allow the brood to emerge and the combs to empty out. If I build the hives so that they will accomodate the deep frames before they begin to slope in, will they be too deep? That is, will the new combs be unmanageable?

I would just skip the slope. The combs will be too heavy as it is.

>Is it necessary to slope the sides?

No.

> I have seen plans for long hives that use standard frames. Does anyone use this type of box with bars only?

I have. I had a major collapse with the deep box and went to mediums after that but some people have had luck with a deep (9 5/8 plus 3/4) box.