Adding Foundations to Frames (Wired, Wax or Plastic)

Primal Bee nest frames are designed for thermal efficiency and work with both traditional wire-embedded wax foundation and plastic foundation. Supers accept most standard frame sizes. This guide covers the nest frames specifically.

You have options: wired wax foundation (more work upfront, readily accepted by bees) or plastic foundation (easier installation, requires monitoring bee acceptance). Try both if you're unsure which you and your bees prefer.

Wiring Your Primal Bee Frames

Wiring Guidance

If you're using wax foundation, you'll need to wire the frames first. Plastic foundation is self-supporting and doesn't require wiring.

Typical beekeeping wire options:

• Tin-plated, mild temper, carbon steel wire - about .014" diameter (most common)
• Stainless steel wire - also sold as beekeeping frame wire, but roughly 3x the price

Either works. Stainless lasts longer but costs more.

Materials You'll Need

• Wire (see above)
• Wire spool
• Wire cutters
• A cleared surface at waist height - standing up with access to a workbench makes this much easier
• Optionally: a riser that fits between the frame to center the wire and wax in the central plane (1/4" or 1/2" plywood wrapped in parchment paper works well; cardboard, magazines, or similar materials also work)

Estimated time: 8-15 minutes per frame depending on comfort level and technique

The Wiring Process

Step-by-step:

1. Measure your wire - about 4.5 frame lengths = roughly 117 inches (~3 meters)
2. Cut the wire using wire cutters
3. Thread the wire through the hole on the tab in the center bottom of the frame
4. Partition half the wire on either side of this hole and twist to hold the wire securely in place
5. Start with half (one side) of the wire and draw it diagonally up to the bottom tab/pegs on the left side of the frame
6. Continue the diagonal pattern threading through holes/tabs to create the support structure
7. Create proper tension - this is the critical part:
• Too loose: Wire sags, foundation distorts, brood frame warps, potential for crosscomb
• Too tight: Frame bends or twists, uneven brood area, increases crosscomb potential
• Just right: Wire tension holds the foundation securely in the central plane of the frame without twisting or bending the frame
8. Test tension by gently plucking the wire - it should produce a low musical tone (think guitar string, not piano wire)
9. Check frame alignment - hold it vertically. It should hang straight.

Getting the Tension Right

The goal: Wire tension should be tight enough to hold the foundation securely in the central plane of the frame without twisting or bending the frame.

Too loose? You'll see sagging or distortion in the brood frame, which can result in crosscomb.

Too tight? The frame bends or twists, causing an uneven brood area and increasing crosscomb potential.

The sweet spot: Snug enough to support the foundation, loose enough that the frame stays true.

Beeswax Foundation Installation

Foundation Thickness: Use What Works

The recommendation here differs from what you might hear elsewhere. Thick wax foundation is preferable to thin because:

• Easier to work with for the beekeeper
• Quicker to draw out by the bees
• More stable when in storage, transport and use

Why thick works better: The thickness of foundation gets adjusted by the bees when they draw it out anyway - adding wax to foundation they deem too thin and removing wax from foundation that's too thick. Thin foundation may sound good in theory, but in practice it leads to frustrated beekeepers dealing with broken foundation during installation.

Bottom line: Use thick foundation. Bees will adjust it themselves, and you won't fight broken sheets during installation.

What You Need

• High-quality, pure beeswax foundation from a reputable supplier
• Each Primal Bee nest frame takes 3 sheets of deep wax foundation (16.75" x 8.5" / 42.5cm x 21.5cm)
• Your wired frames
• Room temperature environment - wax cracks at low temps and warps at high temps

Installation Methods

There are three main methods for embedding wax into wire:

1. Electric embedder (fastest, most consistent)
2. Hot air gun (accessible, requires care)
3. Spur wire embedder (traditional, manual)

Each method has its advantages depending on your setup and experience level.

The Installation Process

1. Warm the foundation slightly - room temperature, maybe slightly above to soften the wax and warm the wire (not hot, just enough to make it pliable)
2. Center the foundation on the wired frame
3. Press gently along wire contact points to secure the foundation to the wire
4. Avoid excessive pressure that could damage the wax structure
5. Check alignment - foundation should sit flat in the frame plane

Storage note: Store wax foundation or frames with wax foundation at room temperature. Wax cracks at low temps and warps at high temps.

Plastic Foundations

Why Plastic?

Plastic foundations offer more convenient installation for beekeepers with less experience in wiring wax foundation into frames.

The tradeoff: Wax foundation is more work upfront but tends to be more readily accepted by bees. Plastic is easier to install but requires monitoring bee acceptance and comb building after initial installation.

Installation

Plastic foundations require no wiring - they're self-supporting and easily snap into tabs on the Primal Bee nest frames.

Installation guidelines:

• Install at room temperature for best fit
• Check alignment carefully - plastic is less forgiving than wax (you can't adjust it once it's set)

• Temperature doesn't matter as much as with wax foundation

Monitoring Bee Acceptance

This is critical with plastic: Monitor bee acceptance and comb building after initial installation to determine what works best for you and your bees.

Some bees take to plastic immediately. Others are more hesitant and need to be "convinced" to draw it out - plastic will need to be waxed for optimal acceptance by bees drawing comb.

The recommendation: Try both wired wax foundation and plastic foundation interspersed in your hive to determine your (and your bees') preference.

Transitioning to Plastic

If you're currently using wax:

• Existing wax foundations remain fully compatible
• Gradual transition recommended - replace 2-3 frames per season
• Monitor acceptance during initial plastic foundation introduction
• Don't rush the transition - see what your bees prefer

The Bottom Line

Wired wax foundation:

• More work upfront (wiring, embedding)
• More readily accepted by bees
• Requires careful handling (breaks if mishandled, temperature-sensitive)

Plastic foundation:

• Self-supporting, no wiring needed
• Easier installation for less experienced beekeepers
• Needs waxing for optimal bee acceptance
• Less forgiving on alignment
• Monitor bee acceptance closely

Best approach? Try both and see what works for you and your colony. Some beekeepers swear by wax, others love plastic. Your bees will tell you what they prefer by how quickly they draw out the comb.

Time investment: 8-15 minutes per frame for wiring and waxing, depending on your experience level and technique. Standing up with access to a workbench makes it easier.