Newbie question about mesh

[monstrol]

I hope this is the right forum so please excuse me if it is not. I am interested in using the pressed technique in custom made molds both for myself and as a technique to teach high school students involved in the Kent Bellows Studio where I am a mentor. I made a two piece,six sided, mold with bendable plywood. I filled in the gaps and voids with epoxy putty and covered both halves with fiberglass cloth and 3 coats of resin. I left a hole in the bottom in which I applied the BR mix. The mold is roughly 15 inches high and 35 inches in diameter at the widest. The problems I am having involve getting the diamond mesh ,recommended from the DVDs(I bought both) to adhere to the butter coat. It looks so easy on the DVD. My first try was a brilliant failure and the second I used a heavy duty garden screen mesh that seemed to adhere better and didn't rip the heck out of my fingers. but wouldn't stay put especially towards the opening as I worked my way up. One problem is the opening is not big enough and I kept bumping into the edges and had to keep reapplying the mix so I have started on a more user friendly design. My first of many questions is there a more pliable mesh product that will work, something like fiberglass cloth or a pliable sculpture screen that "theoretically" would mold to the butter coat and still provide enough stability from cracking? This is the first of many posts and any info. will be greatly appreciated. My mentees are anxious to get started and I don't want to look like a complete fool when I bring this project into class.
Matthew Jones

[monstrol]

I just saw the scrim in the products menu. Could that be used as a reinforcing product instead of the diamond mesh?

Thanks,
Matthew Jones

[buddyrhodes]

Hi Matthew,
Sorry your having sooo much trouble.
Check out our NING site Buddy Rhodes Concrete Station -http://buddyrhodes.ning.com
It's a great resource for newbies and long time concrete fabricators.

There is a post with photo's that might be of help to you.
http://buddyrhodes.ning.com/forum/topics/help-with-reinforcing-a-1-34

The chopped AR glass fibers are a great reinforcement aide as well as the AR Scrim cloth. New and improved since the DVD's were made. No more cutting your fingers on the expanded wire mesh!
Thanks

[monstrol]

Thanks for your quick reply. I will need to order the necessary products to keep going with this. Even though the first go around wasn't as successful as I would have liked I am confident I will get it soon. I always tell myself that to increase my success rate I need to double my failure rate. Also the table top you did for Zuni's totally blew my mind!!
Thanks
Matthew Jones