Using Frames with Top Grooves

Before using mini frames with top grooves, they need to be assembled correctly. Follow this instruction: "Assembly of mini frames and preparation for use."

Sectional frames with top grooves are thin wooden plates with grooves on the short (67 mm) sides. One side of the groove is expanded, i.e., it "extends" to the adjacent sides of the frame.

Once the frames are assembled, you can proceed to install the mini frames into hive/store frames and introduce bees.

We offer three methods of installing wax with these mini frames:

• Partial filling of mini frames with wax
• Full filling of mini frames with wax
• Minimal filling of mini frames with wax

Partial Filling of Mini Frames with Wax:

Prepare wax pieces sized 38x127 (see photo) in the quantity equal to the number of prepared mini frames.

After the wax pieces are prepared, you can proceed with the installation. Lay the wax piece through the mini frame in a way that small protrusions of wax remain through the bottom and top grooves.

Now you can proceed with the installation. Place the mini frame on the store frame and "press" it inside. In the process, the wax protrusions will bend and create sufficient tension for a secure fixation of the sectional frame.

Similarly, install all six mini frames in one row. If nest frames of 435x230 or 435x300 are used, mini frames of corresponding sizes are installed in the same way, but in two rows.

The frames are ready for bee placement. Repeat this procedure for the entire planned volume of mini frames. By setting up the frames in this way, almost the entire space is filled with wax, and the wax needs to be cut into pieces of a simple shape.

Full Filling of Mini Frames with Wax:

Prepare wax pieces of a specific shape (see photo) in a quantity equal to the number of prepared mini frames.

After the wax pieces are prepared, you can proceed with the installation. Lay the wax piece through the mini frame in a way that the 36 mm wide "tongue" passes through the bottom groove, and the remaining part of the wax passes through the upper "expanded" groove (see photo).

Now, similarly to the previous method, install the mini frames into the store/nest frames.

The frames are ready for the bees. Repeat this procedure for the entire planned volume of mini-mini frames. By installing the frames in this way, the entire space is filled with wax, but the wax needs to be cut into pieces of a complex shape.

Minimum wax filling of mini frames

It is necessary to prepare a strip of wax measuring 25x410 (see photo). One strip is used for one row of frames, i.e., for six pieces. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare six times fewer of these strips than the planned number of mini-frames to be installed.

After the wax strips are prepared, place the mini frames in the hive/shop frame so that they are oriented with the "expanded" groove in one direction, and there is access to the groove (see photo).

Next, lay the strip of wax into the grooves across the entire row of mini frames. If the strip was cut correctly, there should be a protrusion remaining after laying it.

Now, gently press the entire row of mini frames into the store/nest frame, ensuring that the wax protrusion fits snugly and creates enough tension to fix all the mini frames.

Frames are ready for bees. Repeat this procedure for the entire planned volume of mini frames.

By setting up frames in this way, you ensure minimal wax filling in the space, requiring fewer wax pieces to be cut. In such honeycombs, there will be less artificial wax, but it will be more challenging for bees to create it.

Note:

Mini frames with upper notches are available in a wide range of sizes. For the above methods to work, the size of the mini frames and store/nest frames must correspond.

If the sizes of the store/nest frames used are smaller or larger than required, and setting up frames in this way is not possible, measures should be taken to address the issue. If the store/nest frames are larger, you can insert a few additional wax pieces. Also, the bottom bar of the frame can be set on screws, allowing the bottom bar to rotate. This way, you can easily install mini frames in the store frame first and then, by rotating the bottom bar, press them. If the store/nest frames are smaller, they need to be enlarged by reassembling.

Conclusion:

All three methods of using frames have been tested and work well. Each method has its advantages, so it's up to you to choose the one that suits you best or try them all.