Bob asked about wiring frames and embedding foundation.
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How tight do I make the wires?
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     Tight. But there are tricks for doing this.
     As you get ready to fasten the running end of the wire onto a side
of the frame, you can squeeze the horizontal wires together, flexing
them as you put tension on the running end of the wire.  If you do this
correctly, the sides of the frame will bow in slightly.  Then wrap the
running wire around a nail you have already started into the side of the
frame, finish nailing in the nail, and cut the wire.  These nails can be
nailed into the wide dimension of the side of the frame so that they are
anchored by an inch of wood not just a quarter inch of wood.
     The wire can be tight enough that you get a musical note when a
string is plucked.
     You can also (after the wire is fastened at both ends) use
long-nosed pliers to hold a tack and use it to pluck the wire where it
runs between holes on the outside of the frame side and then nail in the
tack to tension the wire even more.
     Now having said all that, suppose you were to ask _why_ the wire
has to be so tight.  Good question.  The wire holds the foundation flat
until the bees have drawn out the comb and then helps give it strength
if the fram is whirled in an extractor.  It doesn't have to be all that
tight.
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Do I weave the wires on both sides of the foundation or just on one
side?
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      Ordinarily, you would be wiring frames before foundation was
installed and then the foundation would be laid onto the wires, fastened
at the top, then the frame would be flipped over to put the wires on the
up side of the wax. and the wires would be embedded.  Weaving is not
necessary.
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Is it ok if I have made a very small hole after using my wire embedder?
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     Yes.
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How deep do I embed?
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      Embed deeply enough that the wax doesn't warp away from the wires
before the bees have drawn it out.  If wax never warped as the
temperature changed, you wouldn't have to embed very much.
      Now another question:  Are you going to install bees this autumn?
I do not put the wax in the frames until just before it will be used by
the bees.  Storing frames with foundation, even wired, gives the
foundation more chance to warp.
      Wiring frames is a drag: hard on the hands.  But working with
foundation is pleasure: a sweet smell!
Tim
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Tim Sterrett
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(southeastern) Pennsylvania, USA