I have read the give and take on the merits of plastic foundation. Here are my two cents worth. I have tried most every type of foundation (in my dozen hives) over the last 15 years. My vote goes with the old fashioned bent wire foundation. Yes, it takes more time. Yes, it is more fragile and susceptible to wax moths. But my unscientific trials of plastic foundation - even Duragilt - lead me to believe that they do not work as well as simple beeswax. I sense a resistance to working on the plastic. (Have you seen a spot on the Duragilt where the wax has peeled off?) Tradition is not a bad thing. If I were earning my living with bees, I might do an efficiency study to see if the problems with plastic products were overshadowed by profit. I'm not. I don't criticize those who find they can increase their hourly income with plastic. But because I have grown my equipment holdings as my time and interest increased, I never had to make a huge investment in constructing many frames all at one time. For those who suggest that tradition should not stop us from progressing, I suggest that knowing the chemical composition of honey should allow us to synthesize honey in a lab. Who needs bees? Well, I do. I am just old fashioned and enjoy it that way. I would never tell others they need to be like me. It's just me. There is nothing wrong with the bee's own wax for foundation - doing it just as they have done it for a million years. I wonder if the Darwinians would contend that if plastic foundation were better the bees would have developed plastic-producing glands on their bellies instead of wax glands? (just being factious...) Larry Krengel Marengo, IL USA :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::