Hello and welcome to the amzing thread on wire mesh :
I've been trolling the housing topic for a while now and read alot of threads. im currently building my own cage as you might have noticed from topis spamming and talking to myself on my own threads while others read in amussment.
i though for all those who are taking the plunge into contruction that i should use all the info ive scrolled though and sum it up a bit to save other the time and hassel.
it doesnt seem like a big deal but if you havent done it before finding the wire mesh can be a huge hassel and i see lots of people ask the same questions like i did so here goes.
When getting your wire mesh there is alot to take in to consideration:
The wire mesh should be
PVC coated , this is the biggest issue people have although in the link provided below there is pvc coated wire mesh.
In the event that you can not get or simply find pvc wire-mesh expensive, galvanized wire mesh can be used but must be coated with a child friendly enemal or paint such products as
Japlac but there are many brands if there child safe and have a child safe certyficate then they are also glider safe is the rule of thumb if someone is from the usa and know another example from across the pound feel free
The mesh should be coated untill all the wire mesh is coved if you do around 3 - 5 coats then you should have got it all
why cant i use bare galvanized wire-mesh? galvanized mesh has a high zinc content urin and food can absorb this and release other toxins into your gliders system causing urin tract infection and some animals also get respiratory problems also when wire mesh is coated its less likly to have sharp shards still attached so your glider can keep all his feet.
Mesh sizes: the mesh (the gaps between the wire) should be no more then 1/2inch x 1/2inch although some people go as far as 1/2inchx 1 inch but i would go half half
gliders are little escape artists and they dont think twice before sticking them selfs in small holes and other such things they can and will try and squeeze though gaps if they can even worse has you glider got a big butt the head may go in the gap but they might not get all the way threw this could be stressful and potentially injur your glider dont risk it.
Gauge: this is the thickness of the wire i would aim for a 16 - 17 gauge approx 0.064", 1.6256 mm
some sites may list the wire as 19 gauge but if its pvc coated the gauge may be the indication of the wire size before the pvc coating and it may infact be thicker so its always worth giving them a call and asking.
the reason is the thiner the wire the more easy it is to bend, damage and all round less sturdy for a gliders activitys also my personal though were that the thinner wire would also potentially cause rish of foot injury and cut in to feet more as they jump from side to side supporting a weight on a small surface area is always more painful even if you are tiny (this is my own opion)
semi circle nails are easy to get hold of and can attach the mesh to the frame people also use cable ties, staples and joinary of the wood.
Summary:Gauge:16 - 17 approx 0.064", 1.6256 mm
Mesh size: 1/2 x 1/2 inch - 1/2 x 1 inch (1/2x1/2 is better)
bare galvanized wire-mesh:
NOPainted galvanized and pvc coated mesh:
YesChild frendly paint safe: Yes i.e japlac
dulux bedroom paint: no
Usful wire mesh sites:
http://www.prime-weld.co.uk/http://www.meshdirect.co.uk/https://4wire.co.uk/index.php?cPath=2_57(for larger projects as mesh is HUGE in lengh)
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ATLANTIC-STRATFORDfeel free to add anything i missed below
im sure ill end up noticing what i missed myself lol usually do also add any other products that coat mesh well good sites etc etc etc
