The project was to clean out and prepare the frames from an old hive - that had blackened combs where larva had grown, pollen been stored, and generally needed stripping back so they could be used again.
1st job was to cut around the inside of the frame, so the slab of wax comb fell free. There are wires stretched across the frame - this time we were instructed to cut them off as well - although sometimes you can re-use them. It's quite tough to cut through - and scape all the propolis - a kind of bee cement- off the edges.
Once as much as possible had been scraped off, the frame had to be locked into a clamp, and then a blow-torch was lit - bit scary in a room full of people all concentrating on different tasks - and the flame was passed all over the frame - to heat "sterilise" it, and then in particular on the groove on one inside section, which has to have the melted wax scraped out with a thing like a bent screwdriver.