Dumb Q: But what is hardware cloth?

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Nonny

Nonny

Songster
8 Years
May 16, 2011
601
39
156
Brisbane, Australia
I'm in Oz and I've yet to see or hear of "hardware cloth" so I guess we have a different name for it. If someone could please describe it to me I might be able to find the equivalent here.

By 'cloth', does that mean it's not make of metal? We have various types of mesh made from heavy duty nylon, wire, steel, as well as chicken wire, insect screening etc

Adding:

Does it look like this? http://sswm.com.au/Stainless-steel-woven-wire/Products/Stainless-Steel-Woven-Mesh
 
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What we call hardware cloth here looks like the welded wire at the left of that link, except ours is galvanized instead of stainless steel. It is a fine mesh welded wire either 1/4" or 1/2" squares usually.

You can do a web search for more pictures.
 
It's on the door in this pic
98066_6c.jpg

and a close up in my automatic waterer
98066_4d.jpg
 
Quote:
If you can, I'd recommend getting the smaller 1/2" x 1/2" square stuff -- helps keep smaller pests (like mice) out, and prevents larger ones (like raccoons) from being able to reach inside and grab your birds.
 
Quote:
If you can, I'd recommend getting the smaller 1/2" x 1/2" square stuff -- helps keep smaller pests (like mice) out, and prevents larger ones (like raccoons) from being able to reach inside and grab your birds.

I could keep my chooks in an open cardboard box in the back yard and I can pretty much guarantee a 'coon wouldn't get to them.
wink.png


Will be using the smaller 1/2" stuff anyway though... I just put up that pic to make sure it was what you were all talking about.
smile.png
 
Hardware cloth is weak stuff. I'm building, er, just finished making rabbit cages and anything over 14 gauge is very thin and weak. I could easily tear through it w/pliers. Its also very small which means it is sharp and cuts easily. I believe it is best to leave hardware cloth in the hardware section for cement walls, etc and not use it for anything animal related.
I think the only reason chicken people like hardware instead of chicken wire is because of the smaller openings, its the same gauge, so both are weak, but chicken wire is twisted together, making it stronger. If you can find 1/2in hex chicken wire, I would use that instead. I know some places you can find HDC or CW in stronger gauge, but it's usually special order or online in huge rolls only.

Hardware cloth is tightly knit wire mesh just like cloth instead of 2in chain link fencing.
 
Quote:

I've heard the exact opposite; that people choose hardware cloth over chicken wire because it is stronger. It seems stronger to me.
idunno.gif


Just to clarify;

Chicken Wire:
61023_300px-chicken_wire_role.jpg


Hardware cloth:
61023_hwrcloth.jpg


Chain link:
61023_chicken_wire_fence.jpg
 
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It used to be that hardware cloth was really strong stuff and well galvanized. Now it comes from China and it cheap weak junk. Perhaps if you can find American made wire, it would be adequate.

I use rabbit wire for the birds, but even that is about useless if it is imported. I couldn't buy American made rabbit wire and the stuff I've got has entire lengths of wire popping loose for absolutely no reason. I can't imagine it holding off a strong dog or even a raccoon.
 

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