Request for photos: Foundationless Frame

**Michael Bush** · 05-02-2012, 09:51 PM

>I use mine intermixed with plastic

And the plastic remains untouched...

**Solomon Parker** · 05-03-2012, 05:37 AM

I'm finding that if you want the plastic drawn well, you need at least three frames adjacent one another. Otherwise, they'd rather draw the wax or foundtionless super wide and ignore the plastic.

Either that or get them drawn in the spring in a nuc, but it's still not perfect. I tried doing a shaken swarm with 5 plastic and one foundationless and they drew a nice perfect comb perpendicular to the plastic, right through the open space of the foundationless frame. Trying to get into mediums.

**westernbeekeeper** · 05-03-2012, 01:29 PM

Here are some of mine.

Picture 022.jpg Picture 01.jpg Picture 02.jpg Picture 03.jpg

**NUBE** · 05-03-2012, 09:12 PM

If you use a starter strip of foundation will the bees build the whole comb out at that size cell or will they build whatever size they want.

**westernbeekeeper** · 05-03-2012, 09:23 PM

It seems to depend on the season. If it is late in the year, they will build plenty of drone cells alongt with the worker cells. If earlier in the year, they will do it almost all worker cells.
If you are talking about small cell vs. standard, I really don't know. I haven't experimented much with small cell foundationless comb. Hope this helps.

**NUBE** · 05-03-2012, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the reply. I was most curious about cell size though. I'm trying to go to a small cell size and wondering if my use of larger cell starter stips, about 2 inch strips of I think 5.4, is hindering my goal

**Michael Bush** · 05-03-2012, 09:58 PM

>Thanks for the reply. I was most curious about cell size though. I'm trying to go to a small cell size and wondering if my use of larger cell starter stips, about 2 inch strips of I think 5.4, is hindering my goal

The top row of cells is often larger anyway and they will quickly adjust it. It will work fine, but I'd make them 3/4" instead of 2". In fact I'd use wood strips instead of either as they are more durable, more reliable and won't have any affect on cell size.

**NUBE** · 05-03-2012, 10:18 PM

Thanks for the info Michael. I plan too eventually use the wood strip only, but since I only recently got start back into keeping (swarm found an old hive i never tore down) I was worried about the possibility of a mess if I didn't give the girls a strong indication of where to start the draw.
P.S. Does anyone else have problems posting photos from an iPhone photo gallery

**Allen** · 05-04-2012, 05:31 AM

Nube, in the three images I posted in this thread of frames with foundation as starter strips, the cells were smaller on the strips.
When they drew comb below the strips it then got larger.

I had expected the opposite to happen and don't know why they are doing it that way.

**NUBE** · 05-06-2012, 03:01 PM

http://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/media/...00001086464066

**max2** · 05-12-2012, 03:38 PM

Lots of lovely pics - come spring I may even give it a go. Thanks

**curios1** · 07-05-2012, 10:34 PM

100_2673.jpgthis one was started with a piece about the size of a cell phone. i just turn the wedge. nail it. and pinch a piece of comb to the wedge.

**Horst** · 07-06-2012, 12:59 AM

IMG_7207 15.JPGHi Fans, my Dadant-modified TBH with a honey chamber
PICT5071 60.JPG

**curios1** · 07-12-2012, 07:40 PM

this eavning i started 5 new frames. i thought i would try something new. i found some 1/8 wood dowel that i inserted for crosspieces for strenth. i eaven went virticle on one just to see how it comes out.i will show more on next post100_2691.jpg 100_2692.jpg 100_2694.jpg 100_2695.jpg

**curios1** · 07-12-2012, 07:49 PM

and then i cut pieces from natural foundation i have in a hive to start a new one.makeing shure ther are no eggs or larva where i cut.100_2696.jpg 100_2697.jpg 100_2698.jpg 100_2699.jpg