There seems to be more variability in the thickness of the mid-rib of the comb than there does in the thickness of the cell wall. I can think of at least one reason for this. As we know bees like a certain space between combs and the only way they can attempt to compensate for this is to extend the cell walls. Now of course to only do this means the cell becomes to deep. Well the obvious compensation for that is to reduce the depth. If this were the case I suspect the mid-rib depth could be considerably variable from frame to frame, depending upon the precision of end bar width and space between. Wouldn't it be interesting to compare mid-ribs in hives where some beekeepers use 1 less frame than what the equipment was designed for against hives that use the full compliment? Alden Marshall B-Line Apiaries Hudson, NH 03051 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]