B.S. Hives & Frames
Smith Hive
B.S. Smith Frame Sides
B.S. Smith Top Bars
B.S. Bottom bars
Smith Frame Dimensions
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British Standard Smith Bee Hive Frames and Frame Parts

The main difference between Smith frames and ordinary B.S. frames is that the lugs are shortened to 19 mm giving an overall top bar length of 394 mm.

The other difference is that the lugs are too short for any but self spacing methods. They find much favour in Scotland, but are not much used in the rest of the UK. I personally have never used them, but I can see that they would be convenient for migratory heather honey production in Scotland.

One feature that has cropped up many times in conversation and Email discussions is the fact that the "Smith" frames will fit comfortably crossways on Langstroth hives.

A serious consideration should be given by hobby beekeepers to the fact that, if they use this type of frame they lose a certain amount of interchangeability with neighbours equipment and if they need to utilise "a frame with eggs" from a friend, then they may have difficulty sawing off the lugs to a shorter length whilst the frame is occupied.

Dave Cushman.

Page created pre-2001

Page updated 03/12/2022


Revised... 06 November 2001, Upgraded... 08 September 2004,
B.S. Frames favicon
Coding Standard 2004 Issue 2 
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