Frames are usually supplied as loose parts and assembled by the beekeeper. That saves cost and makes repair possible.

The parts

• Top bar with the lugs that rest on the rebate
• Two side bars, often with holes for the wire
• Bottom bar, sometimes in two pieces so the foundation is clamped between

Assembly

• Work square; a skewed frame does not fit and does not hang flat
• Nails or screws into the pre-drilled points; otherwise the timber splits
• Use a jig if making many — that keeps them uniform
• Join top bar and side bars firmly; that is where the weight bears

Why dimensional accuracy matters

Bee space governs everything: bees leave any gap of roughly six to nine millimetres open.

• Too narrow and the frames are glued fast with propolis
• Too wide and the bees build comb across

A frame a few millimetres out makes every inspection harder.

Repair

This is the advantage of knock-down frames. A broken side bar or bottom bar is replaced; the frame with its drawn comb is kept.

Drawn comb is among a beekeeper's most valuable assets — discarding it over a broken bar is waste.

Winter work

Assembling frames, wiring them and fitting foundation belongs in winter. In mid-season it costs time that is not available.

Marking

Put the year on the frame when fitting it. Without that note, in a few years it is impossible to tell which comb was built when — and comb renewal becomes guesswork.