Author Topic: Homemade Frames - Anyone know how? (Read 19140 times)

Perry · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2014, 07:58:22 am »

I have got a price held till the end of this week (done just prior to the big jump in prices). I'm in for 1400 frames, 1200 foundation, 35 cardboard nuc boxes, 2 cases of pollen patties.
I am definitely going to look at something regarding making frames. I think the only way to really find out if it's worth it is to try. Maybe make a thousand? I am sure it will become readily apparent if it is worth it.

The rest of it (foundation) I am at the mercy of the producers price, we all are, unless going foundation-less.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2014, 09:40:30 am »

How much wax do you have Perry? What law is there that foundation HAS to have cells of a specific size printed into it? Something I have been considering, and have not yet done, is to use wax foundation that is unprinted. Make a wax board for peeling off my own sheets of foundation. Cut to size, imbed wires, and let the bees build what they wish..
The only reason I have not yet done this, is because they tend to do it for me in an empty frame... but starting a hive on empty foundation.... some wax to start on would be nice.

G3farms · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2014, 06:40:28 pm »

Perry I think if you cut out 1,000 frames you will never go back to buying them again. By that time you will have everything figured out and a few jigs made to help out also.

I am considering it also, would like to pick up a band saw to rip the end bars apart.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2014, 06:56:22 pm »

Quote from: G3farms on February 16, 2014, 06:40:28 pm

Perry I think if you cut out 1,000 frames you will never go back to buying them again. By that time you will have everything figured out and a few jigs made to help out also.

I am considering it also, would like to pick up a band saw to rip the end bars apart.

A good table saw works splendidly, but probably wastes more materials than a band saw would. The hardest part is cutting that LAST end bar and keeping your fingers safe.. I have been meaning to do a video of that part, I'll try to get it done so I can add it to my site.

http://outyard.weebly.com/frames.html

Perry · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:03:35 pm »

During my phone call with Apis, one of the subjects that came up was having a block of wood with the neccessary dados and shoulders all cut ,and merely needing to have the slices of "bread" cut off the block to make the end bars. I was commenting how tedious that would be to have to sit there at a saw and slice them off one at a time. Apis said to simply add a 3/8" spacer and a second blade on the arbor of the table saw. That would reduce the number of passes required by half. Taken a step further (see where this is going) you could end up gang ripping your end bars. Clearly a precaution or two would be needed to address the kick-back possibility, but it could be done without expensive machinery.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:53:09 pm »

Slicing that bread will surprise the heck out of you. You can do it fast and effortlessly, its not tedious at all, the tedious part is shaving and cutting the top bars. Thats my most unfavored task. I'll try to get this done tomorrow so you can see how fast and easy it is.

tmrschessie · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2014, 12:58:53 pm »

Here is a link by a friend of mine on frames. He shows how to make about everything for your bees....he even has a cd that shows all of his youtube articles in a more concise format and easy reference so while your making your supplies you can go back to check a measurement etc. Tom

Perry · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2014, 03:12:20 pm »

Thanks for posting that Tom!

Oh, and by the way, good to see you again!

riverbee · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2014, 05:25:26 pm »

what perry said tom, and it is good to see you! thanks for jumping right in here with a great post!

tmrschessie · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2014, 01:18:10 pm »

Howdy guys, good to see you all again also. Trapping season is about done. Only putting up fur for other trappers and hunters at this point. Don't look like my two swarms made it through the winter. Will have to try and catch a few more this spring. Miss having the girls around. I put them both on the south facing side of two sheds to help them and did not take any stores from them. But even with additional feeding this winter must have been to hard on them. If any of you need additional videos of how to make anything let me know and I will post them if available. Click on his videos and you will find about anything you might need except foundation... Tom

blueblood · « **Reply #30 on:** February 26, 2014, 11:12:07 am »

Here is a link to the channel from the Youtube link above:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Carpfish29?feature=watch

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #31 on:** February 27, 2014, 06:23:14 pm »

Well.. trying to do a Video, but somewhere in translation it gets really foggy and faded, and I cant seem to figure out why... but, any how, foggy or not, here it is.. JUST for Perry!

Bahaha.. I love it!
usually I put a BOX under the back of the saw and drop the side bars right in the box so it goes even faster..

Perry · « **Reply #32 on:** February 27, 2014, 10:05:41 pm »

That was AWESOME!
I am humbled that you would do that, you made it look easy.
For you, an ice cold

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #33 on:** February 27, 2014, 10:25:16 pm »

hehe.. glad you liked it.. If I can get the Camera figured out, and the editing tools I'll be posting quite a few vids through my website for easy reference.
Won't ever be able to Compete with JP but it will be fun trying.

riverbee · « **Reply #34 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:28:28 am »

nice video lazy! you do make it look easy.

ps like your hat!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #35 on:** February 28, 2014, 12:41:55 pm »

hehe, me and that old hat have been through a lot together. Once had a kid ask me if I was trying to be a cowboy.. He had a baseball hat on sideways, a ring in his eyebrow and his pants hanging down.. so I said.. Yep, lot of cowboys were my heroes growing up, but tell me, you trying to be a baseball player, a rap star, or a prisoner making an announcement to the other inmates??
Got a split lip, busted knuckles and a free eyebrow ring for my trouble

Jen · « **Reply #36 on:** February 28, 2014, 01:30:59 pm »

Lazy- ""Won't ever be able to Compete with JP but it will be fun trying""

Shush on that! Your knowledge on beekeeping skills whether woodworking or keeping is remarkable!

iddee · « **Reply #37 on:** February 28, 2014, 01:45:02 pm »

Never compare yourself to others. Always compare yourself to what you were a year ago. If better, you are a success.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #38 on:** February 28, 2014, 02:28:34 pm »

Quote from: iddee on February 28, 2014, 01:45:02 pm

Never compare yourself to others. Always compare yourself to what you were a year ago. If better, you are a success.

Unless you ask my wife!!!

Jen · « **Reply #39 on:** February 28, 2014, 02:34:51 pm »

shush!