In this video, one of our Directors, Rebecca, talks through the different types of British Standard frames that are used in National, WBC, and Centenary hives.
Great explanation and really appreciate it. I wish though that Thornes also offered top bars that are *FLAT* similar to "one piece bottom bars" without the additional 'wall' sticking out. Not only this uses less wood but also quicker to manufacture and very useful for those beekeepers who prefer to use wire to hold foundation wax inside the frame instead of covering the entirety of the frame with wax. I have been trimming those 'walls' off, on my table saw for years for the beekeeper I've been helping. This also makes a lot of sense in practical terms specially when you are cleaning and old brood frame with wax and all as there are no obstacles to work around.
Thanks for the comment. I am not entirely sure what you mean by the wall. I don't think we have ever been asked for flat top bars before - however we can do most things so anything is possible!
@@ThorneBeehives Thank you for your kind reply. The "wall" I am talking about is that part of the bottom bar that runs through the entirety of the piece and sticks out (about 10 mm) at a 90 degree angle where the foundation wax is rested upon. This is the part I've been trimming off as I stated previously and without it, it is lot easier to clean a brood frame by running a knife from one end to the other. You have not been asked this before because the beekeeper I've been helping couldn't be bothered to ask you and because he had me to do it for him all these years. (Not anymore)! And Yes, would be awesome if you could offer "Flat top bars" just like the bottoms as well. Thank You! 🙏
Really helpful video, thank you Rebecca. Frame sizing and format can be very confusing for us beginners; this makes it much clearer. I did notice (3:53) that the bee space of the the DN1 and DN4 (Hoffman) appear to be different, despite both being a 22mm top bar width. Is it the case that Hoffman bee space is narrower, or is it an optical illusion?
Hoffman in the UK were standardized to 13/8” or 35mm to come in not line with most other countries. Originally though, they were 1 15/32” or just under inch and a half, which is what a NPE measures
Great explanation and really appreciate it.
I wish though that Thornes also offered top bars that are *FLAT* similar to "one piece bottom bars" without the additional 'wall' sticking out.
Not only this uses less wood but also quicker to manufacture and very useful for those beekeepers who prefer to use wire to hold foundation wax inside the frame instead of covering the entirety of the frame with wax.
I have been trimming those 'walls' off, on my table saw for years for the beekeeper I've been helping.
This also makes a lot of sense in practical terms specially when you are cleaning and old brood frame with wax and all as there are no obstacles to work around.
Thanks for the comment. I am not entirely sure what you mean by the wall. I don't think we have ever been asked for flat top bars before - however we can do most things so anything is possible!
@@ThorneBeehives Thank you for your kind reply. The "wall" I am talking about is that part of the bottom bar that runs through the entirety of the piece and sticks out (about 10 mm) at a 90 degree angle where the foundation wax is rested upon. This is the part I've been trimming off as I stated previously and without it, it is lot easier to clean a brood frame by running a knife from one end to the other. You have not been asked this before because the beekeeper I've been helping couldn't be bothered to ask you and because he had me to do it for him all these years. (Not anymore)!
And Yes, would be awesome if you could offer "Flat top bars" just like the bottoms as well. Thank You! 🙏
Just realised mistake on the side bar height of National Deeps... should be 12 inch not 14.
At 6:27 14 x 12 side bars are 12" not 14" the bottom bars are 14"
Yes - you are right - sorry and good spot! We will change the side panel when we get a chance.
Really helpful video, thank you Rebecca. Frame sizing and format can be very confusing for us beginners; this makes it much clearer. I did notice (3:53) that the bee space of the the DN1 and DN4 (Hoffman) appear to be different, despite both being a 22mm top bar width. Is it the case that Hoffman bee space is narrower, or is it an optical illusion?
Hoffman in the UK were standardized to 13/8” or 35mm to come in not line with most other countries.
Originally though, they were 1 15/32” or just under inch and a half, which is what a NPE measures
The additional width on the top bar seems pointless, frames fail at the ends rather than in the center.
Just my experience as a bee keeper.
If you are using Manleys or 14"x12" then the stronger, wider top bars are quite important.