Hi all

If increased production of cappings wax is required, you can achieve it
using  special thin honey frames that are only 18 mm wood parts, spaced on
26 mm centres.

First get the foundation part drawn on normal spacing, then put the frames
into a box with specially made castellated spacers at the narrow spacing.

The bees will continue to draw the cells and store honey until they have
only just enough space to work, then they will cap the cells whatever depth
they are.

Trim the cappings off the frames and allow any drips to drain, but do not
fully extract the honey. Put the part filled frames back again and the bees
will re-fill and re-cap the frames fairly quickly. By repeating this process
regularly you can obtain large amounts of cappings wax.

I have done this under UK conditions to generate beeswax for making cutting
lubricants and polishing compounds.

OK it is a bit labour intensive, but the ratio of wax to honey is changed
dramatically in favour of the wax.

Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman or http://www.dave-cushman.net
Fall Back M/c, Build 5.02 (stable)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::