Wax foundation is a thin sheet of pure beeswax that has been mechanically pressed to imprint the hexagonal pattern of worker bee cells. This pre-formed template provides a clear starting point for the colony’s comb-building efforts. Using foundation guides the bees to draw uniform, straight comb within the wooden frame boundaries. This structure ensures the comb remains stable and manageable for the beekeeper during routine inspections and honey harvesting. Without this template, bees might build comb haphazardly, often resulting in cross-combing that makes the frames unusable.
Essential Tools and Preparation
Gather all necessary components before beginning assembly. Primary materials include unassembled wooden frames and sheets of wax foundation (plain or pre-wired). A small hammer and thin nails are required to secure the frame components, particularly the wedge in the top bar. If using pre-wired foundation, a specialized embedding tool is necessary, such as a spur wire embedder or a low-voltage electrical source. Ensure you have a clean, flat work surface and that the frame components are free of debris.
Inserting the Wax into the Frame Groove
The process begins with the frame’s top bar, which uses a removable wedge or a deep groove to hold the foundation sheet. If using a wedge, carefully remove the thin strip of wood to expose the slot beneath. Gently slide the wax foundation sheet into this opening, ensuring it is centered horizontally within the frame. Centering the sheet maximizes the usable surface area and encourages uniform comb construction. Handle the wax delicately, as it can easily crack or warp. Once the foundation is seated, replace the wedge firmly against the sheet’s edge and secure it with small nails to lock the foundation in place.
Securing and Reinforcing the Foundation
Reinforcement is necessary to prevent the comb from sagging or collapsing under the weight of honey and brood, especially in hot weather. This stability is achieved by embedding thin, horizontal wires that span the width of the frame into the wax sheet. If the foundation is plain, the frame must be pre-wired before installation.
Electrical Embedding
The most efficient method for embedding wires involves using a low-voltage electrical current to generate localized heat. The terminals of the embedding device are momentarily touched to the wire ends, causing the wires to heat up rapidly. This brief burst of heat melts the wax, allowing the wire to sink slightly below the surface. Immediately removing the current allows the wax to cool and solidify around the wire, locking the foundation firmly to the frame structure. Apply the current for only a fraction of a second, as prolonged heat can melt too much wax.
Spur Wire Embedding
An alternative is the spur wire embedder, which uses manual pressure and a spiked wheel to press the wire into the wax without heat. Complete contact between the wire and the wax is necessary to transfer the structural load. This prevents the comb from separating from the frame, which is important for deep frames holding large amounts of honey.
Final Inspection and Storage Advice
After the foundation is secured and the wires are embedded, a thorough inspection of the assembled frame is required. The wax sheet must be perfectly straight and centered, with no warping or bowing apparent. Gently hold the frame horizontally to confirm that the foundation does not move or sag, verifying successful wire embedding. New wax foundation is fragile and should always be handled with care. For storage, stack finished frames flat in a cool, dry location, away from direct sunlight, and protect them from pests like wax moths and rodents.