Frames
- Used to hold wax foundation
- Foundation is where the bees will build cells.
- Frames persuade bees to build cells where we want.
- Maintain the beespace
- Frames are made of wood or plastic
- Plastic frames have foundation built in.
- Plastic foundations has to be painted with bees' wax.
- I know no one who uses plastic foundation.
- Most frames are made of wood.
- Most are made of pine.
- One supplier uses "quality Russian Redwood".
- Frames are usually supplied as "flat packs"
- Making up frames is easy - see here.
- Two types of frames:
- Self spacing frames
- Two types of self spacing frames:
- Self spacing automatically allow the beespace between frames.
- Hoffman
- Tapered side bars
- Wedge on one side to minimise propolis build up.
- N4 and N5 frames are Hoffman Frames
- N4 have a top bar 22mm wide
- N5 have a top bar 27mm wide
- N5 give less space to build brace comb
- Prefix S for super size frames
- Prefix D for deep frames for brood boxes.
- I would use DN5 in my brood box.
- Manley
- Side bars straight sides
- No wedge on one side.
- Wider side bars all the way down → bigger cells.
- Bigger cells in the super → more honey.
- Wider side bars → stronger fixing for bottom bar.
- N1 and N2 frames are Manley Frames
- N1 have a top bar 22mm wide
- N2 have a top bar 27mm wide
- N2 give less space to build brace comb
- Prefix S for super size frames
- Prefix D for deep frames for brood boxes.
- I would use SN2 in my super.
- Non-self spacing frames.
- Beekeeper has to make certain there is beespace.
- Castellated runners in the hive.
- The runner has slots to hold the top bar.
- Prevents user sliding the frames.
- Too restrictive for my use.
- Spacers put on ends of the top bar.
- Spacers make sure bee space is catered for
- Just one more thing to worry about
- I don't use them.
- In summary
- For national and WBC hives:
- DN1 and SN1 - straight side bars - manual spacing - top bar 20mm
- DN2 and SN2 - straight side bars - manual spacing - top bar 24mm
- DN4 and SN4 - tapered side bars - Hoffman spacing - top bar 20mm
- DN5 and SN5 - tapered side bars - Hoffman spacing - top bar 28mm
- BS National Brood
- Top bar 431mm by 22mm
- Bottom bar 356mm
- Side bar 216mm by 35mm
- BS National Super
- Top bar 431mm by 22mm
- Bottom bar 356mm
- Side bar 140mm by 35mm
- Commercial Brood
- Top bar 438mm by 27mm
- Bottom bar 406mm
- Side bar 254mm by 35mm
- Commercial Super
- Top bar 438mm by 27mm
- Bottom bar 406mm
- Side bar 152mm by 35mm
- 14 by 12 Brood
- Top bar 431mm by 22mm
- Bottom bar 356mm
- Side bar 305mm by 35mm
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