The fender washers etc needed for hardware cloth?

[ImportTheBest]

So my hardware cloth arrives tomorrow from Amazon, and there are a couple sections for my run that I can go ahead and add the hardware cloth soon.

But what size etc are the fender washers that we need, and can I just use the self tapping deck screw I have with these washers, (I think they're #8 screws) or so I need something specific?

Also any tips for installation / cheap cutting tools for it? Thanks!

 

[jpcode]

I assume you are using a wood frame? I would actually sandwhitch it between two pieces of wood. Say you have a 2x4 as the edge you are attaching the hardware cloth to, use a few staples to hold it, then use a 1x2, 2x2 or another 2x4 screwed to the first one to make sure it can never be pulled out. This would save you from having to buy washers, and you will have a continuous strong seam rather than a few attach points.

 

[akovia]

I assume you are using a wood frame? I would actually sandwhitch it between two pieces of wood. Say you have a 2x4 as the edge you are attaching the hardware cloth to, use a few staples to hold it, then use a 1x2, 2x2 or another 2x4 screwed to the first one to make sure it can never be pulled out. This would save you from having to buy washers, and you will have a continuous strong seam rather than a few attach points.

 

That's what I did, though not with 2 x 4's. I used some cedar trim painted white. Against the barn red coop and run frame it looks nice and finished.

 

[Stumpy]

Before I started using pneumatic staples, I used lath screws, some with additional washers, because they already have a sort of washer head. I bought mine at Lowe's.

If you decide not to use lath screws, get some with a star or bugle head. I had no idea how much easier this type of screw is to drive in! I guess I am behind.

 

[ImportTheBest]

I assume you are using a wood frame? I would actually sandwhitch it between two pieces of wood. Say you have a 2x4 as the edge you are attaching the hardware cloth to, use a few staples to hold it, then use a 1x2, 2x2 or another 2x4 screwed to the first one to make sure it can never be pulled out. This would save you from having to buy washers, and you will have a continuous strong seam rather than a few attach points.

That's what I did, though not with 2 x 4's. I used some cedar trim painted white. Against the barn red coop and run frame it looks nice and finished.

Thanks! I can do that at the top but at the bottom I'm not sure about the bottom...Hmm...I might be able to though. I was planning on bringing it down the outside of the 2x4 used to keep the bedding in, and wrapping it under the 2x4 and securing it inside. Decisions, decisions!

Before I started using pneumatic staples, I used lath screws, some with additional washers, because they already have a sort of washer head. I bought mine at Lowe's.

If you decide not to use lath screws, get some with a star or bugle head. I had no idea how much easier this type of screw is to drive in! I guess I am behind.

I read about the self tapping screws on Ana White, so I have used those star type self tapping screws for pretty much my entire build..and then I used some short phillips head screws I had in the garage to attach the ramp platform and cussed the entire time in my head! The star screws are so much better, I just wish they had 3/4" and 1" ones as well so that I didn't have to rely on other screws for those jobs!

I think I saw the lath screws when I was there the last time, so I might use those with an additional washer for the bottom of the run - I really don't want to buy more wood! lol!

 

[The Lazy L]

...But what size etc are the fender washers that we need, and can I just use the self tapping deck screw I have with these washers, (I think they're #8 screws) or so I need something specific?

Also any tips for installation / cheap cutting tools for it? Thanks!

Here is what I used:

1 3/4" construction screws
Wire cage clips

3/16" x 1" fender washers
Wire cage clips tool

 

[OldGuy43]

Before I started using pneumatic staples, I used lath screws, some with additional washers, because they already have a sort of washer head. I bought mine at Lowe's.

If you decide not to use lath screws, get some with a star or bugle head. I had no idea how much easier this type of screw is to drive in! I guess I am behind.

I'm with Stumpy. An air powered stapler does a great job with minimum effort, and a much lower cost per fastener.

 

[canesisters]

I don't know what these are called but they worked GREAT to attach the hardware cloth to my door.

 

[ImportTheBest]

Here is what I used:

1 3/4" construction screws
Wire cage clips

3/16" x 1" fender washers
Wire cage clips tool

(pic)

Thanks!! I grabbed the fender washers at Lowes (um...yeah...those containers are small...I should have grabbed more!) and I'm hoping to avoid having to join the mesh anywhere so that I don't have to buy the clips and tool

I'm with Stumpy. An air powered stapler does a great job with minimum effort, and a much lower cost per fastener.

Considering how much this coop has cost already, despite me starting out with an idea that it wouldn't cost me more than $200

, I have tightening the "tool belt"...no more new toys for me this time. I am over budget and refusing to tally up receipts to know how far over

So an air powered stapler might very well hang in my garage one day...but not yet!

I don't know what these are called but they worked GREAT to attach the hardware cloth to my door.

(pics)

Those look great too, thanks!


Ok so I used the fender washers and my beloved self tapping screws to secure the main piece of wire onto the back of the run....of course now that I've done that I am sitting here and realizing what i did wrong on the left and right end...and I think I know how I am going to fix it to make it more secure. I wonder if the kids will behave nicely while I go and redo those end before the rain comes back....though seeing as the two youngest are not sharing nicely, I doubt it

The sides will have hinged doors and the front will have secured wire for 1 foot on each side and then a lift up hinged door (all "doors" in the run are frames with hardware cloth, so we can see in easily) in the center 4 ft. - my major clean out door that won't be opened as often as the side ones.

I will need to go back for either more fender washers or I may just get the lath screws for attaching stuff like hardware cloth (at least that's what the pic on the container leads me to believe, ha ha!). I tried to pull the HCloth as tight as possible and secure it section by section, but I have no doubt others would get it tighter lol!

I think employees in Lowes see my van parking, and the kids piling out, and start cheering because they know I need to spend more..oy...my husband loves me a LOT!

 

[BudgieBoy]

For my run, I did it a bit differently. On outside corners/edges that might get leaned against, I did like the others and used 1x2 strips of wood sandwiched against the frame of the run, with lots of screws going through. This made it very secure but also covers up the sharp edge of the mesh. It also looks quite nice!

On the inside corners, fender washers were not going to be practical. My hardware cloth is 1" square, so I'd need huge washers! Instead I used a product called "All Round", specifically the galvanized 3/4"-wide version. All Round is basically a roll of thin flexible steel strapping, 3/4" wide, with holes drilled in it every 1/2" or so. It is available in the plumbing aisle from Home Depot or Lowes for about $6 for a 25' roll.

In place of the washers, I just rolled out the strapping on top of the cloth and put a screw through it into the frame as needed; typically every 6 inches or so. It actually looks much cleaner than I expected, and is extremely strong.

Good luck!!