does anyone know how to make wax foundation at home. I have alot of extra bees wax from last year, thought it has to be cheaper to make it then buy it. I've checked catalogues but nothing, why should they tell you how to make it when they can sell it to you. I know the bees will make there own, but isn't the commercial foundation smaller and helps with mites? Any help will be appreciated

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), January 05, 2000

Answers

Well, I did some searching and have some options for you. 1. You can buy a foundation making device from Thornes of England, the big British Bee supplier. Only costs $729.50. Why not buy two? 2. Another option is to see if you can dredge up the Sept./Oct issue of Countryside. It supposedly had an article on making such a press (according to the bee- l archives). 3. I can send you the entire bee-l output in which various people describe their own methods for making foundation. You might be able to contrive your own.I would imagine you could imprint the cells by using a sheet of this new plastic foundation and rigging up something that looks vaguely like a waffle iron.

Another option I'm still looking for is a web page by some guy named Wolfgang on which he has (in German) instructions for making a wax press. If I find it I'll zap the URL to you.

This is all I can come up with right now, but I'll bet someone out there has a reasonably priced item. I'ld like one myself. The Thorne's device looks great, but the price is ridiculous for a one sheet at a time press.

Good Luck! Jim Lindstrom The Oak Forest Apiary

-- Jim Lindstrom (jcrocket@alltel.net), January 08, 2000.

The Brushy Mountain Bee Farm in North Carolina says in their old catalog that they will make foundation from your own wax for a reasonable fee, although they don't state the fee. Their website is www.beeequipment.com. You might contact them for information. I ordered a hive set up from them last spring and was pleased with both the merchandise and the advice I got from the employees, as well as their courtesy.

-- A.C. Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), January 10, 2000.