Mig welding tig rods to create mesh

[stef1]

sit down when you get the cost of the steel

I reckon 2kg of 2.4mm rods would give me more than enough to make some kind of mesh, would cost about £40 for the privilege. 1.6mm rods would even do if I want a finer mesh for the same cost.
The mesh doesn't need to be 1 inch squares, just something to keep them in and hang a water bottle on

 

[the snooper]

then some stainless mig wire and gas to suit (if you don't want any rust) factor in the time it will take to fabricate, not worth the hassle just get some galvanised mesh

 

[stef1]

then some stainless mig wire and gas to suit (if you don't want any rust) factor in the time it will take to fabricate, not worth the hassle just get some galvanised mesh

I think I would be easier tacking them together with tig?

I'm not worried about the time it takes if I do go down this route. I will create a wooden jig to hold all the rods in the correct formation before I start so this will save some time faffing about I guess.

cheers

 

[KemppiFrog]

If you must go the wire route, perhaps weave them? Just tack the ends to a frame. Way less tricky welding.
KF

 

[stef1]

If you must go the wire route, perhaps weave them? Just tack the ends to a frame. Way less tricky welding.
KF

I opened a box of filler rods the other night just for a look, and gave the idea of weaving them a thought - it would certainly work fine for my application.

Thanks

 

[zardoz]

Indeed

What would be the preferred method of welding the stainless to the mild steel then?

I still haven't gone any further with this one yet. I was waiting until the right mesh come up but now that you mention stainless...

309 rods will be good for this. They are specially for dissimilar steels.

 

[stef1]

309 rods will be good for this. They are specially for dissimilar steels.

I will keep that in mind, thanks

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

If you're that stuck for it we punch loaaads of little squares and all sorts of shapes about 100 sheets a week all shapes and sizes little 1.2mm zintec squares with about a 5mm web in the middle if you see what i mean.

 

[langy]

I opened a box of filler rods the other night just for a look, and gave the idea of weaving them a thought - it would certainly work fine for my application.

Thanks

Compare the price of a box of stainless tig rods to the price of a bit of mesh from Brundles

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

^Wot 'e said!!

 

[langy]

^Wot 'e said!!

To be honest I can't believe this is up to 3 pages now when the solution is so easier, how hard can you make a simple job !!!

 

[Welderpaul]

To be honest I can't believe this is up to 3 pages now when the solution is so easier, how hard can you make a simple job !!!

It's another 'how can we re-think a simple job to make it really hard' thread

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

You can get large cake stands in £land if you're that desperate.

 

[brightspark]

the mind boggles sum people have nowt better to do

 

[marlinspike]

Actually, I can sympathise with the OP. I built a rabbit run a couple of years ago and would have liked to have used strong wire panels, like you see on dog cages. The cost makes it prohibitive, plus difficult to get exactly the size you want. I ended up using mesh squares from Wickes and some rolls of mesh for the roof panels. Even the square panels are badly cut though, and you constantly snag your clothes and fingers on them. Much quicker and easier than welding up your own though.

 

[stef1]

Actually, I can sympathise with the OP. I built a rabbit run a couple of years ago and would have liked to have used strong wire panels, like you see on dog cages. The cost makes it prohibitive, plus difficult to get exactly the size you want. I ended up using mesh squares from Wickes and some rolls of mesh for the roof panels. Even the square panels are badly cut though, and you constantly snag your clothes and fingers on them. Much quicker and easier than welding up your own though.

Thank you! A couple of the very reasons why I'd like to make something myself.

Who is the 'sum people have nowt better to do' comment aimed at? If it were aimed at me, then yes I do have some better things to do but making something of better quality and fits to exact sizes is what I want. I asked for a simple answer to using tig rods to create a mesh - something I have never done before but I bet someone on this forum has. Didn't ask for sarcastic replies.

 

[marlinspike]

To be fair, unless you've actually had to (or wished to) build a rabbit hutch or run, you probably wouldn't appreciate why chicken wire or rolls of cheap mesh are not the ideal solution.

Chicken wire isn't fox proof and the mesh rolls or panels are usually so badly trimmed that they aren't really that safe if you have small children.

As you say, sometimes it's not about doing things the easiest way but about doing something yourself, that meets your requirements exactly, and isn't off the shelf.

If we applied the 'haven't you anything better to do?' principle, then half the stuff on the Projects boards should be binned.

On a more helpful note, I did a thorough search on the web for quality mesh panels but couldn't find anything that didn't cost a fortune. As suggested earlier, Weldmesh have the nearest to what you might want.

If it's for a one off item, the cheapest option is probably a second hand dog cage from ebay, cut into sections.

 

[pedrobedro]

You can buy 30 metres of 1" mesh for under £40, it's to keep rabbits in or out. Cut it to size then put a strip of metal over it to hold it down to the door frame and screw the strip down with self tappers.

 

[Titus A Duxass]

@Stef1 - I don't know how you would do but I understand you wanting to do it yourself.
Please keep us updated in your progress.

 

[stef1]

@Stef1 - I don't know how you would do but I understand you wanting to do it yourself.
Please keep us updated in your progress.

I will do