Author Topic: anyone ever try these frames? thoughts? (Read 4735 times)

neillsayers · « **on:** January 09, 2017, 10:27:47 pm »

http://www.guerillabeekeepers.com/gbk/beekeeping-supplies/25-spehar-9-14-deep-beekeeping-frame.html

Green bee · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2017, 07:12:45 am »

My only thought is how long the plastic would last in temperature swings, I would think it may crack over a period of time. Just my thoughts.

Perry · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2017, 07:49:00 am »

Plastic frames have been around for a long time so I don't know if that would be much of an issue, but you never know. I wonder how these pieces are locked to the wood portions. I remember seeing a British video of something similar, where the 4 corners were plastic pieces but the top, bottom and end bars were still easy to manufacture wood. The cost of those was too high though. This seems more reasonable.
Be interesting to know more.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2017, 08:25:09 am »

I like how the frames are adaptable for the beekeepers choice of foundation. The plastic cell foundation may even add to the stability? They are about 50 cents more per frame, but for someone like me, that only uses a hammer and nails (no jig) when assembling frames, it might be interesting to try.

Wandering Man · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2017, 08:32:56 am »

I've read elsewhere that plastic frames (not necessarily these) offer too many hiding places for small hive beetles.

Maybe that's the improvement they reference?

neillsayers · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2017, 09:49:42 am »

In their little sales video, they point to how often frames break at the side bar and they claim this design eliminates it.

Riverrat · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2017, 08:54:56 pm »

I see quite a bit of advantage to these. Wish I had of thought of it. If they work this guy going to make some serious bank

CBT · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2017, 09:22:11 pm »

Only had one ear break off and it was a all plastic frame full of broad and honey (heavy) and I dropped it.

Perry · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2017, 07:44:20 am »

Quote from: CBT on January 10, 2017, 09:22:11 pm

Only had one ear break off and it was a all plastic frame full of broad and honey (heavy) and I dropped it.

You're not supposed to do that!

neillsayers · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2017, 10:09:03 am »

Did the same thing once and the bees were not pleased!

efmesch · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2017, 08:42:05 am »

About 25 years ago I bought 10 "combination wood-plastic" frames that were manufactured in England. Only the top bar was wood, all the rest, plastic. The plastic foundation slid into slots on the bottom and side bars, notches on the top wooden bar snapped onto the top corner plastic joints. The frames were good and sturdy and a pleasure to use, except for one "tiny" drawback: The cell sizes imprinted on the plastic foundation were 0.1 mm smaller than the standard cell size, and getting the bees to build on them was a major headache. Most of the time, they would build a support that extended away from the foundation and they would then build their own combs between the frames. The only time they would "agree" to build on the foundation would be during very strong honey-flows.
Believe it or not, I still have a few of them in service---but with one major alteration: I drilled holes for wire support strands in the side bars and the plastic sheet of foundation has been replaced with regular wax foundation.
Would I recommend them---for those willing to try something new, most definitely. After using them for a few years on a trial basis, each keep would be able to decide for him/herself whether they suit his/her needs and expectations at the listed price.

Perry · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2017, 09:07:12 am »

I guess my old age has affected my capability to do basic math.
I could perhaps see buying enough of those to do say 500 frames. I have access to good pine at a fair price, and to crank out the simple top and bottom bars would be a piece of cake. My time at this time of year is not worth much so cranking out the bars would be something to do. For me it would all boil down to cost.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2017, 08:37:34 pm »

I need to revisit this thread when I get home. I have had a discussion or three about molded end bars.
The argument I have with the ALL plastic frames is that they flex too much when you have to pry them loose. We do not have much of an issue with small hive beetles yet, so that never worried me... The excessive FLEX did, and this design would eliminate that flex, and as Perry said, it would make cutting the top and bottom bar a breeze... I too might just have to go "IN" on some of these to try them out..... now that I have so many hives I am using stinky plastic.

Perry · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2017, 08:47:59 pm »

Quote from: LazyBkpr on January 20, 2017, 08:37:34 pm

now that I have so many hives I am using stinky plastic.

Welcome to the dark side!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2017, 08:59:21 pm »

LOL

The POWER of the dark side is hard to resist!

CBT · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2017, 09:04:30 pm »

Hey Lazy, how does mixing that stinky plastic mixed with wax foundation work for ya ( in the same hive)

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2017, 09:34:15 pm »

The bees don't seem to care. I have hives with Foundation-less, Wax and plastic now....
Typically they draw the foundation-less frames first, the wax frames second, and then start working on the plastic... It is a matter of choice.. when they have no choice they shrug, sigh, and giter done!

CBT · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2017, 09:41:21 pm »

You sure know how to school your bees, mine mostly will leave that plastic till last or never if mixed. If all the same no problem.

kingd · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2017, 07:13:46 pm »

An old beekeeper I know has something very close to these, He doesn't remember where he got them but he has had them for years.
They came with just the plastic sides,you made your own wood top and bottoms. Of the ones he has used he has to only occasionally replace the wood..

He has a few cases of them but I cant get him to let me buy them

Perry · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2017, 10:32:55 pm »

Quote from: kingd on January 21, 2017, 07:13:46 pm

An old beekeeper I know has something very close to these, He doesn't remember where he got them but he has had them for years.
They came with just the plastic sides,you made your own wood top and bottoms. Of the ones he has used he has to only occasionally replace the wood..

He has a few cases of them but I cant get him to let me buy them

Is there anyway you could find some sort of marking on them to find out their origin? The biggest impediment for me to make frames is the time to mill all the intricate pieces. Straight top and bottom bars would be a breeze and I could easily crank those out by the 100's if those plastic pieces could be had cheap enough.
Hey Jack, did you hear that? Yet another good use for plastic!