terrim8 Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Does anyone know where to purchase the 1 sq in wire mesh that is the frame for this kiln? I don't think i've seen it at any of the hardware stores around where I live.They seem to just have wider grid mesh. Is there some sort of specialty store that sells sturdy wire mesh? (Not chicken wire). I am going to build this kiln as soon as I get this mesh! I have the burner and some of the bricks, I know where to get the ceramic fibre & the ni-chrome wire- I just have to find a source for the mesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Farm supply stores? Steel and metal distributors in Calgary(industrial area) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 https://www.zoro.com/nashville-wire-decking-steel-wire-zinc-48-w-24-d-ksg2448/i/G2396895/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Ok- thanks! I'll check local first- that exchange rate is thru the roof right now. edit- just looked online- can you believe it- there's a place here called "metal supermarket" - who knew? This hobby leads one to unusual places! 2nd edit- at least I can comparison shop now with Zoro! (Can't believe someone called their company Zoro:)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Fencing suppliers-garden shops-big box stores-concrete suppliers that sell hog wire and rebar. You can get it so heavy that Godzilla can stand on it without bending. Wire this heavy is usually pricey to ship as it sold in flat form I have no idea how heavy you are looking for. You should find this cheaper offline by a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergusonjeff Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I built my raku kiln using welded wire (1/2" I think). Since it is on the outside of the ceramic fiber it is holding up just fine. It is sold in rolls and is not very expensive. The 1/2 x 1/2" mesh is often used to build small animal (rabbit) cages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 It doesn't really matter what the grid size is, as long as it's sturdy. If you can't find the 1 inch stuff, I'd go with chicken wire backed up by the large grid. That would be super sturdy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 to be able to bend the wire you use, look for fencing at your local home building center or hardware store. the common 1 inch by 2 inch grid works just fine. it will bend easily enough but it is strong enough to stand on its own as you lift the whole thing from the fired pieces. i plan to make one, too. i have the metal trash can lid to wire the fencing to and some day i will get the wire in the same width as the insulating fiber so i do not have to cut it except for length. i have a weed burner and propane tank but need to make the buttons for holding the fiber to the fencing. i guess i could work up a little enthusiasm for raku pieces, too. hope yours comes out great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I posted a how to make buttons post a few years ago or at least had a photo of some various homemade types-also make a fiber gasket out of thiner fiber a round piece of fiber-that way your nichrome wire laster longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 I have used 1/2 hardware wire for frames on raku kilns purchased at Home Depot. I've use wire mesh also. I now prefer steel flashing as it retains the radiant heat better. I use 1" or 2" fiber 8# press. Here is my old pulley kiln. https://www.marciaselsorstudio.com/raku--latex-resist---making-raku-kilns.html I like this button design as it does not crack like 2-holed buttons for holding the fiber. I am waiting for snow to melt to complete my new kiln. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 marcia, the kiln shown in the latex resist video is just like the one i want to build. metal trash can lid, 1 inch by 2 inch wire, brick support. i notice a pyrometer attached to it and have one that i have never used. thanks for the idea of using it on the side of the raku kiln. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yappystudent Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 Just to throw more info at this thread, last I heard this kind of smaller gauge wire mesh they sell at hardware stores is often called "hardware cloth". Dumb thing to call it, since it's metal. At least that's what I always used to hear it called. Might find more search results using that term than mesh, but who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 hardware cloth is half inch squares for keeping rats out of things like chicken houses and places for trash, the under side of porches and houses and vents under houses. it is really not very strong standing up unsupported. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Dean Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 When I built a raku kiln many years ago, I used expanded metal (sometimes called expanded mesh) which is made from steel sheets. Looks like Varsteel is close to you and sell it http://www.varsteel.ca/. It can be a challenge for the homeowner to cut so have them cut it to size on their industrial sheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 You can cut metal sheet pretty easily with a cutoff blade on a circular saw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrim8 Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Ok- this is all great info! Thank you! I have delivered my roughed out cage to a metal shop. They are going to straighten out my joins so they are all in a straight line and weld the top circle to the cage top and put on a couple of big oversized but lightweight handles. What I did myself would have worked fine but I wanted it to look a little less rough. I actually bent the wire to 90 deg. by using a 5 lb sledge on a hard brick, then after putting the wire into a round barrel shape, I finished the hammering to "flat" on the inside. I cut the round shape for the top with a dremel tool. I can't start on the pad outside because of the snow but I can work inside. I am making the base myself-( I can hide my unsightly joins). I have a few books-(& you all!) Another book warned me about leaving a certain amount of space around the shelves ( of course) and building a baffle made out of sliced up soft brick arranged in a circle around the bottom shelf over the burner & leaning on the sides. My burner is a tiger torch that runs on propane. I think I need a longer hose- one of the books said the tank has to be 8 ft away from the kiln. The fiber gasket is a good idea- I've heard that the Ni-Chrome wire is expensive. I have to take a good look at your button design Marcia! My hand is healing- used lots of topical antibiotic & bandaids. Think a regular barbecue propane tank holds enough gas for a firing? My neighbour made fun of my smoking barrel ! Everyone else around here has beautiful patios and fire pits. Wonder what he'll think of the raku kiln? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Talk to the good peeps at Ceramics Canada for either Kanthal or nichrome wire. I believe they sell it by the foot for projects such as this. And if you want a longer hose for your tiger torch, you might check any welding supply place like Praxair. They'll have good gloves and safety gear, too. Edit: a barbecue tank holds enough for a firing, depending on how cold it is out. And if you let your neighbour put a pinch pot or two in, he might think you're a bit less weird. At least let him know about the smoke from the reduction bins. People get jumpy when they see that much of it in the middle of the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 I'll try to take some photos in coming weeks of my buttons and gaskets as I'm fibering a old oval electric at my workshop on Molokai before its killed with salt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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