For those that use wax foundation - Support method of choice...

[Moots]

I run all mediums with wired wax foundation and wire my frames, with wire, running both strands parallel to the top bar. 

This method has served me quite well and I have no complaints or problems with it.  (Other than wiring frames is my least favorite part of being a Beek!  )

However, I saw someone post a picture the other day of a frame that was cross wired, as well as a couple of forum members recommend cross wiring in another thread.  My gut instinct is that there's probably not a dimes worth of difference between the two methods.  But it did get me curious enough to post this poll to see what most do.  And possibly curious enough to give cross wiring a try.

In addition to answering the poll, I'd appreciate if anyone has strong feelings about why they use and prefer the method that they do...if they would please share those reasons.   

Thanks for playing! 

[Perry]

Hi Moots
I don't use beeswax foundation, but I will be interested in seeing the results of this. I always wondered.
PS- Jack, only vote once, no trying to drive up the numbers! 

[Jen]

I'll be ordering within the week for my brood box, not the honey box. jSwitching out plastic frames with wood/wax. I'm interested in what would work well for a deep brood box...

[robo]

I used horizontal cross wiring with crimped wire foundation and no issues.

I tried mono-filament and it caused more headaches for me.

• My bees seemed to resist building comb around it,  but had no problem building comb around metal wire
• If you don't put it on the hives right away,  the foundation will sag in storage (not embedded like wire)
• To many instances of mono-filament failure,  not sure if bees where chewing it,  or it was just snapping over time.

[DLMKA]

I've just been using bobby pins for support, one in each endbar. So far, through 2 seasons it's worked well and I haven't had an extractor blowout but I've also been very careful not to go crazy with it either.

[brooksbeefarm]

I'm going to 2 deeps for brood (most of mine are anyway), i use the wedge top bar frame with the slotted bottom bar.Hooked and wired wax Foundation, i only use the two middle holes on the side bars for cross wiring, and do my med. supers the same way. never had a problem with blow outs. Jack

[tecumseh]

well evidently you can only vote in one category so if you use at least two the survey will not tabulate your vote.

In shallow that I use for comb honey I use support pins...

in mediums with plain foundation I run two horizontal support wires... with rippled wired foundation I run one horizontal support wire.

in deeps with plain foundation I run four horizontal support wires... with ripple wired foundation I run two horizontal support wires.

[iddee]

I do exactly what Jack does.

[Moots]

I do exactly what Jack does.

Hey iddee,
For those of us who don't know all the players yet....Who's Jack? 

[tecumseh]

'I don't know Jack' and you can quote me on that!   

[iddee]

Brooksbeefarm. He, tecumseh and myself all add up to being older than Methuselah's grandfather.

[riverbee]

"For those of us who don't know all the players yet....Who's Jack?  "   

jack is the beek that can't identify a yellow jacket when he sees one......... .........and when he wanders back to this thread he will call me a squirt for saying so.....

[Moots]

I'm going to 2 deeps for brood (most of mine are anyway), i use the wedge top bar frame with the slotted bottom bar.Hooked and wired wax Foundation, i only use the two middle holes on the side bars for cross wiring, and do my med. supers the same way. never had a problem with blow outs. Jack

** emphasis added

Now that I've been brought up to speed on who's Jack!  I need clarification from iddee and Jack.

When you say "for cross wiring", I "think" you are referring to the fact that the wires run "across" the frame, yet parallel to each other and the top bar....And not "cross", as in a "crossed" or "X" pattern...CORRECT?

If so, I think I may have misunderstood previous post by some which prompted me to do this poll.  Early indications are that an "X" pattern isn't as widely used as the impression I was getting.

[Jen]

This is a good and informative thread here. Looks like i have some work ahead of me with wiring. Best get started.

Thanks again Robo for the frame and foundation video.

OH! and by the way, where do you get the extra wire for horizontal wiring? what gauge is it?

[iddee]

I run them across, parallel to each other, in the 4 inner holes. I know beeks that X them in the 4 outer holes. Both work fine.

[brooksbeefarm]

Like iddee said, straight across, but either way will work . I use a elc. embedder ahd sometimes the spur embedder,if your using the spur embedder it makes embedding the wire easier if the wires run straight across. Jen, you can get the wire through any  bee supply co. or catalog. Jack

[Crofter]

I cross wire horizontally and embed with 12V battery charger. You should do each wire separately to avoid shorts through the crimp wiring. If you go diagonally wire is different lengths on different sized frames and mucks up my embedding wand contacts system



Backside view of embedded wire on deep frame. I now use all 4 holes instead of 2 shown here



Closeup of embedded cross wire

[Jen]

Thanks Jack, and nice pics Crofter.