Hi Ron & all

> What by the way is the main reason that frames are not
> made of an even harder wood,
> like beech or oak, their higher weight?

Weight, cost of material and the need for more re-sharpening of tungsten
carbide cutters are the reasons.

> Otherwise properly aged beech should in my eyes be
> very strong and nice for drilling, milling or whatever and
> wires would not cut in like with the softer woods.

I agree and I used to make various special frame components from hardwood.
My reasons were that in another part of my business I used various hardwoods
and the offcuts from this operation were ideal for the crisp machining of
complex items that required precision. But making frames of beech or other
hardwoods would cost more and the weight penalty when such frames were
installed in hives would be considerable. Bear in mind that bees are often
shipped by the truck and trailor load.

Exactness of measure and tolerance between parts varies considerably from
manufacturer to manufacturer.

> I've seen some very wobbly frames even brand new ones
> just lately and those were made from pine.

Seasoning of timber also varies a grat deal from manufacturer to
manufacturer and country to country.

I am tempted to say that you get what you pay for, but in this case it is
not necessarily so that the cheapest is the worst quality or the most
expensive is the best.


Regards & 73s... Dave Cushman, G8MZY
Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman

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