[stormbringer]

Hi all,

I noticed some people running their frames w/o foundations. I'm about to order some frames and wondering if it's necessairy.

Since they're more expensive than the frames, I'm wondering if they're nessessairy.

Thanks!

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

The only thing necessary in the United States is removable frames (or top bars) to inspect for disease. Foundation was developed about 150 years ago so bees would not build comb across frames. When they build burr comb across frames you need to cut them apart until they do it YOUR way. The trendy thing now is to use the old foundationless frames to get back to nature. Like paisley shirts and maxi-skirts this too shall pass!

 

[Ross]

If you give them a guide on the top bar, they won't cross comb in most cases, no more than they do with foundation. You'll see a fair number of hives that will cross comb no matter what you do, foundation or not.

 

[Michael Bush]

You need some kind of guide. Turn the wedge sideways. Glue popscicle sticks in the groove. Something. If you have some kind of guide they will make good comb as often as they do with foundation. Which is usually...

 

[stormbringer]

Thx guys!

Any frames in particular I should look for?

I have choices like groved top/bottom and split top/bottom

 

[Ross]

Wedge top bar are the ones Michael was talking about, breakout the wedge, turn it 90 degrees, and nail it back in. You can glue popcicle sticks in any of them.

 

[StevenG]

Kelley's makes foundationless frames where the top bar is cut with the guide already in place... don't have to remove and turn wedge and nail it in... nor insert popsicle sticks... just assemble the frames. Wish they had them last fall when I bought 1,000 frames and turned the wedges... :doh:

 

[Michael Bush]

Yes, the foundationless from Walter T. Kelley is probably the simplest method. Turning the wedge is probably next, if you have wedge type frames, and popscicle sticks are the best solution for grooved top bars. All of them work fine.