How To Use The Wire Embedding Wheel.....

[Michael Pawelek]

I will be embedding some horizontal wire supports in wax foundation this next week for the first time and need some help. This will be with the newer skinny embedding wheel where you do not need to crimp the wire first according to the ads on the internet.
(1) How hard do you press down on the wheel if the foundation is backed with a form board?
(2) Do you warm the wheel up first?
(3) Any other tips?
Thanks...

[BeeCurious]

Do you have the "form board" to work with?
I have wax paper taped onto mine to reduce the amount of sticking.

I don't heat mine... and btw, I have the old spur type of embedder that I use with crimped wires.

[Michael Pawelek]

The form board is supposed to arrive in the same order as the wheel. The wax paper on the board is a great idea. Do you have to press very hard?

[BeeCurious]

Do you have to press very hard?

It will take a little practice to get used to it. I press too hard and cut the foundation. Then I attempt to "stitch" the sheet of foundation together using the blunt end of a Bic pen to press into the wax.

I also use a Wax Tube Fastener in addition to wires at times. Or just the wax tube fastener with starter strips AND wire, the bees will build comb around/over the wire for you...

[Ravenseye]

When I crimped, I dropped the embedder into one of those quick heat, single serve hot water pots. Mine was plastic and you poured water in, turned it on and it boiled in no time flat. I used to heat the water and then turn off the heater. It helped melt the wax quicker and it saved me from having to push down too hard. Any non-stick type surface helps when you heat it. Waxed paper works but you have to swap it out now and again. Now I embed with a battery charger which goes a bit quicker but the idea is still the same.

[JRH]

(3) Any other tips?
Thanks...

Tip: Don't use wire at all. Use monofilament fishing line See the video by the FatBeeMan on Youtube.

Mono is:

1. Easier to install
2. Cheaper
3. Works better because you have support on BOTH sides of the foundation.

Wire is "traditional" but so were skeps once upon a time.

[BeeCurious]

Tip: Don't use wire at all. Use monofilament fishing line See the video by the FatBeeMan on Youtube.

Mono is:

1. Easier to install
2. Cheaper
3. Works better because you have support on BOTH sides of the foundation.

Wire is "traditional" but so were skeps once upon a time.

Unlike Don K. I use glue and an assembly jig that assures that my frames are square.

I use a (hand) staple gun when wiring frames. I lace two horizontal runs of wire and snip the wire off leaving two ends that I twist together. Once twisted together a bit I give the frame a little spin that further tightens the wire. I snip off any excess and put one or two staples in to hold the twisted wire flat onto the endbar.

After doing all of the wiring I do all of the crimping..

Since there is no crimping or embedding involved I believe Don's technique might be as quick as mine, but not quicker. Twice the lacing and four little nails to fumble with takes time. And if your frame isn't glued (or square) I'm not sure how you value the final result.

And... how well does wax adhere to monofilament? As well as wire?

I agree that wire is not cheap.

[JRH]

How well does wax adhere to monofilament? As well as wire?

The wax doesn't have to adhere to the wire because (unlike wire) it supports the foundation on both sides. That said, after a while, the bees stick everything together anyway.