>   Have you ever tried extracting a TBH "frame"?  My two framer has
>expandded metal baskets that would probably do it fine.  The frames
>aren't supporting anything then.
>...
>Gerry and the other Visels at
>[log in to unmask]
>Winnebago, Illinois, USA
 
Bill Bielby in England has used combs from similar hives in an extractor.
However, he gives the bees reinforced foundation suspended from the
top-bars.  The foundation is home-made, and the reinforcement he uses is
some kind of nylon or plastic screen.
 
With his ("catenary") hive, described in his HOME HONEY PRODUCTION book,
the hive is expanded vertically, by adding supers.  The brood-chamber bars
are spaced, like regular frames. The supers are shallow boxes with top bars
(with reinforced foundation attached) set in across the top.
 
The super combs after a while get pretty well toughened up, and can be set
into an extractor.  At least Mr. Bielby used them that way. (Seems to me
the lower edges of the comb would be crushed, even if you were careful.)
Better yet, cut the best combs into nice comb honey, or crush and drain the
rest for "extracted" honey.  The wax you render will be choice.