Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] Help with hardware cloth

12 November 2013

Re: [DIY] Help with hardware cloth

The commercially available ones have been done using a steel stretcher that is specially made just for that purpose. Those that I have seem have teeth that are spaced to fit the screening that is being used. Not something that the average diyer has hanging in the garage.

Dale in the Flatlands. "Why waste time learning when ignorance is instantaneous."

Jan Flood wrote:

I know it can be done because that's how the ones you buy are, but may require special equipment. With everyones suggestions I think I may have figured out a way to do it using the idea of stretchers bars/boards. If I start with a longer piece of wire, secure one end and leave the wood attached. Use the "bar" at the other end to stretch it taut then release it just enough to press a strip of metal against the inside edge to make the bend and I should be able to staple & glue along the wide edge. If the ends are pulled taut, the sides should fit OK. Will take more than one person but pulling the entire width evenly will make the difference I think. I'm familiar with stretcher bars and probably have some in the garage but I got locked into pulling and stapling every few inches and couldn't think past that :)

I didn't want to add a spacer on the back, but did think of making a secondary frame to fit inside, it would give a finished look and probably be easier in the long run for a frame this big.

You are asking for the near impossible unless you are willing to cut a secondary frame that fits inside the frame you are using and staple the wire to it. Or you can staple it to the back of the frame and then add a spacer over the wire to hold it away from the wall.