Menu
Log in
  • Home
  • unsticking stuck frames?

unsticking stuck frames?

  • 29 May 2020 3:47 PM
    Message # 9001972

    I admit I've been delinquent getting in my hive, for various reasons, and the frames are stuck pretty tight between boxes. I managed to get the outside one out, but the next was immovable at the base. I tried lifting from the ends, rocking it, twisting it, and then twisting the whole box. Barely a budge.

    Any suggestions? Thanks.

    --Laurie

    Moved from General Bee Topics: 8 Feb 2021 5:06 PM
  • 30 May 2020 6:02 AM
    Reply # 9002945 on 9001972
    Anonymous

    There is a hive tool called "frame lifter and scraper".  It has a curved end which can slip between the ends of two frames and used to lever the frame with the curved end.  Do this on both sides of the frame and then shift the frame away from its neighbor and lift out.

    To see a picture of the tool go to mann lake beekeeper supply and look under hand tools.

  • 30 May 2020 8:45 AM
    Reply # 9003175 on 9001972
         Laurie, as we discussed at our Zoom meeting, you might lift up one side of the super, just enough to insert a knife.  If wax is what has your frame stuck, you should be able to cut through the wax without a lot of damage to the frame or foundation.  Another thought is to lift one end of the super containing the frame you're trying to get out.  Instead of pulling up the frames from the super below, the ones this frame is stuck to, tilting the whole upper super will pull down the upper frame.  When you have tilted the upper super enough you will be able to get at the spot where the frames are welded together. Another thought is to pry out any frame in the box that will come loose.  Take out the one next to that one, then the one next to that one, and so on until you have opened up enough room to get at the bottom of the frame that's stuck. 
    Last modified: 30 May 2020 8:47 AM | Anonymous member
  • 30 Jun 2020 5:29 PM
    Reply # 9070753 on 9001972

    Thanks for the suggestions.

    Just an FYI, if any of you are also "stuck." I used my hive tool to open one of the corners between the two boxes and slipped a wooden shiv in, and gave it a little push to open it up more. I did that for all 4 corners, so there was about 3/8" open between the boxes. It didn't release the frames, but I was able to free them by lifting and rocking the top box frames with my hive tool. I think the weight of the bottom frame, with space for it to move (and use gravity), helped it to release. Worked perfectly.

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software