Side bars need holes for the wire. For a few frames that is done by hand; in quantity, equipment is needed.

Why placement matters

• Equal height on both sides, or the wire runs at an angle
• Evenly spaced over the height, so the comb is supported throughout
• Not too close to the edge; the timber splits or the wire pulls through

Wire running at an angle gives wavy comb that tears in the extractor.

The equipment

• A jig or drilling guide: Ensures all side bars get the same holes. The most useful piece of equipment here
• A fine drill bit matched to the wire gauge
• An awl for soft timber in small numbers

Why a jig makes the difference

With ten frames you can mark out. With a hundred that is not sustainable, and unequal holes mean frames are not interchangeable.

A simple wooden jig with fixed positions solves that entirely.

Horizontal or vertical

Horizontal wiring is standard: it carries the weight in the direction the extractor pulls. The holes then go in the side bars.

Eyelets

Metal eyelets in the holes prevent the tensioned wire pulling into the timber.

Without eyelets the tension is lost over time, the comb goes wavy, and retensioning is impossible without new holes.

Winter work

Drilling, fitting eyelets, wiring and installing foundation belong in one winter session. Doing it piecemeal in season costs far more time.

Stock

Keep spare wire, spare eyelets and a few assembled frames to hand. Otherwise a broken frame mid-season interrupts the work.