Thread: I HATE Chicken Wire!

Tweet

the smaller 3/4" mesh forms a lot better. I've never tried the "rat wire" but I'd like to check it out. I never seen it here, guess we're a little short on rats?

Rat wire bends readily but is hard to twist; if you're working on a single plane rat wire is definiyely the way to go. It will also form tight cylinders, so arms and legs are really easy. For detail work you'll want to stay with Chicken wire. It's on ALL the windows down here in the Tropics, as is Mosquito mesh. You may find that it is refered to as "Wire Mesh" in the States. Once you've used it, you'll never go back to Chicken wire. Having a helper hold the ends as you tie or staple them will really cut down on the scratches and nicks. I did the Sacrophogus last year using Rat Wire and "Fix-it-All" a concrete patching compound. I used fiberglass mesh in lieu of paper strips. The entire lay-up (three layers) took less than 10 hours altogether.

I think around here its called "hardware cloth" it is very usefull stuff, in the right location.

Empress, I know what you mean, my hands always look like I ran themthrough a meat grinder when I am done. I hate using gloves because I cant handle the wire as well. As for making it shape as you want, just keep working it. Chicken wire is a very forgiving product in that you can bend it then bend it some more till it cooperates. The biggest pain to me is unrolling it out by myself and making it lay flat.

ronhurst, for gloves have you ever tried "mechanics" brand gloves? they fit like.....gloves and you you can really work with them just like your not wearing them.

For arms and legs I cut a piece as wide as the largest part of the arm (muscle) and leg (thigh). Then I roll it together at the top and start tying it together with the ends of the wire (over lapping and twist). It's almost like making a funnel, as you go down the arm or leg you just over lap the wire a little bit more.

I usually cut the wire with the end towards the floor and put a weight on the end. That way it doesn't roll back up on you.

The 24 inch wire is perfect for arms and the 36 inch is perfect for a leg.

How does your chicken wire figure look after it's finished? Because like I said, mine looks awful. I've begun covering it with the material and the shape of it looks fine so far. I could never do a tutorial on the subject because my pics of the chicken wire stage is shameful. I'm gonna get the 3/4 inch mesh as rainy suggests next time.....if there IS a next time.

ronhurst, you should have seen and hear me talking to the wire yesterday. I was cursing and literally beating it into submission.

Leather gloves with cuffs, pliers, wire cutters, a small roll of wire, maybe 16 gauge, some weights, bricks or something to hold the wire down on the work table.
When making a pattern for say an arm, remember to create a pattern similair to a dress pattern with cuts to allow bent pieces to come together and not bunch up, unless you want to take the pliers and bend those bunches flat, twist the wire under itself to help hold it where you want it, use the roll of wire to twist small pieces or the roll wire to hold things too.
Wire comes in different thickness (gauges) each variation is a different sort of "cat" and your personal preference may be found using a different guage than you presently are trying to use.
If you want to talk about this call me, don't send me a "Wire".
hahahaha!

Gym,

what about using tiny zip ties to hold the wire together? On parts where I can't seem to bend the wire on itself, I've been using small zip ties. I like the idea of using extra wire. For some reason, I never would have thought of that.

Empress, don't worry about how they look naked that's what clothes are for......to cover and hid the mistakes. Just like anything else you do, the more you do it, the easier it'll get.