Hi all

Layne wrote:
An interesting thought would be that of manufacturing a
foundation that has the pattern of the
center comb, and then aligning the other frames in the hive
according to the correct orientation using
regular foundation.

reply:
Interesting you should bring this up, as I have already
replied to a couple of beekeepers wanting to know how to
build mould for such frames and sent them the information.

Namely, making fiberglass plates and then dipping wax
sheets similar to 5 sheets per pound comb some commercial
beekeepers sometimes special orders their foundation custom
made to width in. Then placing the plates in alignment for
the "Y" to the same positioning on each side and running
through a mangle.

Layne then wrote:
  I wonder if the bees would start building their comb on
the middle one, or if they
would start haphazardly anywhere, or on one side of the
hive, as they usually do in my hives when I
hive a swarm?  Sometimes the first comb to be built is at
one end of the hive.

reply:
Why not try it and see. My guess is if aligned to center,
from what I have seen so far in broodnest startups (fall
turn over) they will start to center.

You say sometimes the first comb you have seen built is at
the end of the hive. Odds are it was the "Y" down side if
you look, if newly built comb with "Y" still intack. If not
and the bottom of cells rounded, then it's probably the
warm side and they went there for heat for startup help.

Regards,

Dee A. Lusby

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