Making Screens

[Ddizzle22]

Looking at making a few screens for granulated BP I was thinking of going with 4 mesh 8 mesh and 12 mesh. Trying to located the exact sizes on mcMaster and been having a hell of a time. I would like to use the 5 gallon bucket as a frame instead of wood. Any help on finding what mesh sizes would be listed on mccaster would be great.

Edited July 4, 2014 by dvandriesen

[Mumbles]

I'd assume you mean McMaster. If you search for "wire cloth" you'll find what you need. For the coarser screens, especially when you'll be granulating wet comp through, I'd go with a thicker wire. Thicker wires are also easier to melt into the plastic buckets. I'd also go 304 grade stainless steel. You'll see all the sizes listed as # x #. The number is actually the mesh size. Mesh is holes per linear inch. So 8x8 is 8 holes per inch across by 8 holes per inch down, and this is 8 mesh.

 

You'll have to decide if you want 4 mesh, or an opening of 1/4". When you account for the wire diameter in a 4 mesh screen, the actual opening is probably only about 0.20" If you want approximately true sized openings, you'll probably end up needing 3 mesh, 6 mesh, and 9 or 10 mesh.

[Ddizzle22]

Thanks for the reply that should help alot in my hunt. Pyrodirect was out of stock in what i was looking for so figured i would start hunting for my own.

[Ddizzle22]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-cloth/=soxflx wow talk about choices geez 4 different sizes of each mesh size lol

[hindsight]

dvandriesen,

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-cloth/=sp4taa : for 3X3 and 4X4 screen, 9322T64 and 9322T65 were my choices. They are stainless steel with the largest wire size.

[Ddizzle22]

Will have another look so many choices I was confused.

[Chronicles]

Another good spot to look - other than mcmaster - which might be a cheaper option can be found here:

 

http://www.bwire.com

Mcmaster is really only good for stainless steel wire mesh and the discs, but price varies wildly - so looking around can save you a lot of $ in the end.

[Ddizzle22]

Thanks will have a look there as well. Do you need stainless steel?

[Mumbles]

It's generally the most recommended material. It's relatively inexpensive, strong, inert, doesn't rust, and is non-sparking. Brass is also used sometimes, though is incompatible with a couple of the chemicals we use.

[Peret]

The McMaster-Carr stainless mesh is quite expensive, but it's very much better than the cheaper alternatives. Really strong and stiff. For drying screens get a roll of the cheap galvanized stuff, but for screens you're going to press through, like for parlon stars, you really need the good stainless.

[Chronicles]

Price swings wildly on this stuff due to inner-industry buying and selling - make sure to look around for the best deal. I am telling you price can change 30% overnight!