Is it normal that Flow frames sag?
You mean the frame is bending downwards in the middle?
If that would be what you mean, I can only think you need to tighten the wires.
I had a couple of early batches of flow frames where the wires were quite sloppy and needed tightening before putting to work.
Yes that’s it - bending downwards in the middle.
It was indeed the very first release. I only noticed on my last inspection before I sold the hive. I think they only started to sag recently, and they worked just fine.
BTW, how do you tighten the wires?
You can find a video on the flow website where Cedar explains it thoroughly. Perhaps somebody here can provide you with a direct link to it. It’s not hard to do.
That bandana is priceless. Cedar, a hippy? NEVER!
Ah… yes! I actually remember watching that video a long time ago… hoping I don’t have to do that.
Don’t worry, that bandana would great on you! Otherwise you could just get some really long elastic bands and use those on the frames instead.
Honestly, it’s not hard, just awkward. Else, go by the advice of our über hippy Dawn.
I am nowhere near cool enough to be a hippy. The ultra “square” is probably more my style.
Any square scientist is a nerdy hippy deep down. How else could you be a scientist anyway?
Takes one to see one.
You straightened the sagging flow frame with a bandana! That’s brilliant!
Amen to that, and vice versa
it would be kind of cool if they could make a new type of wire- with an adjustment nut for tightening- like a turnbuckle?
Is the tensioning of the wires a regular maintenance thing?
Or is is something you do once and forget?
We only had to do it on 2 of 16 flow frame sets. All others are still tight after being in use for 2 - 3 years.
We will have to see in a few more years. We may have a few people on the forum with professional experience with those wires.
Have a feeling the flow people would use high quality materials.
Just had a look at my new hive and the wires are quite loose. I have to tighten them.
Well it is actually one of the original flow hives which I bought second hand but unused.
As I recall, Flow shipped them out in good working order but it was discovered that many loosened in transit, which prompted that adorable video. If you got them second-hand & unused, it’s likely that the folks who ordered them just never knew to check the wires. I also had to tighten a few of my frames initially, but they’ve remained snug since.