7/8" THICK SUPERS VIOLATE BEE SPACE!
A major equipment supplier in the Northeast USA sells 7/8" thick supers,
touting them as "sturdy", "stronger", and "ensuring a safe, secure home" and
that "thicker construction makes for a much warmer winter home."
Years ago I worked with some of these supers and had trouble with getting
the lids to fit over the 1/4" longer and wider supers. Now, the seller
claims they are "interchangeable with all other American standard
equipment."
Last year I noticed that I was getting more propolized end bars on my
frames, even the factory square plastic Pierco frames. I measured the inside
dimensions and found that they are now making the boxes fit the covers by
taking 1/4" off the inside box dimensions, violating the bee space
principle, hence the propolized end bars.
The 1/8" thicker wall hardly makes a difference to the bees, as wood is not
a great insulator. However, the beekeeper may kill a queen or roll some bees
when removing frames, leading to more stings.
Here are the dimensions specified in The Hive and the Honeybee, 1992
edition, page 539:
"Interior dimensions: 9 19/32" (24.4 cm) deep x 14 11/16" (37.3 cm) wide x
18 5/16" (46.5 cm) long."  "The Original Langstroth dimensions have survived
the test of time."
Let’s stick with Langstroth!  Check your boxes, and demand the standard!
Sincerely,
Charles F. Andros
Linden Apiaries
Walpole, NH
03608-0165 USA/EUA
603-756-9056
email: [log in to unmask]