wire mesh for masks

[Will Adamson]

Where can I get wire mesh strong enough for use on a hockey helmet cage to protect from thrusts? The best I can do at the hardware store is 1/4 inch or window screen.

[Brian Hunt]

Your stronger steel mesh's are often sold in large sheets (4 x 8 feet). Another possablility would be online at McMaster where you can buy perf plate with 1/8 inch holes in a 16 gage steel. This will be plenty strong to protect against thrusts, but takes some metal working skills to cut and shape it.

hope this helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS



http://www.paulushectormair.com
http://www.emerytelcom.net/users/blhunt/sales.htm

[Will Adamson]

Fencing mask type mesh is what I'm after. What manner of business would I be able to get the 4x8 sections you speak of ?

[Brian Hunt]

Hi will,

you purchase wire mesh from a company that specilizes in it. The stuff in 4 x 8 sheets is the screens used in things like rock crushers. Here is a mesh that you might be able to make work. It has 1.13mm openings and a standard mask has 1.19mm openings. You can cut it with tin snips, but you will need to buy 18 square feet of the stuff as a minimum order. http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/control/product/~category_id=TWPCAT_33/~product_id=016X016F0180W36T

hope this helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Will Adamson]

Thanks Brian!

18 square feet minimum! Well, at least the stuff won't be going bad or anything. My stockpile of excess building materials is already starting to pile up.

[Brian Hunt]

If you have a fireplace, you could always use the excess to make a screen for your fireplace.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Jeff Hansen]

Hey Will,
I got mine from belleville wire mesh - [url]Bwire.com[/url] . They make everything from super fine filters up to crusher grating. IIRC there is a $50 min order instead of a size requirement. I went with slightly larger wire diam. and spacing than a fencing helmet so it doesn't have that claustrophobic feeling I sometimes get from a fencing helmet.

Also you'll need to cover any exposed edges of the mesh with leather or something, or it will shred a padded weapon.