Wouldn't the regular fiberglass window screen from a hardware store work
well without the corrosion problem?  Anyway, for drying artifacts my
favorite configuration is to use one of those commercial baking racks on
wheels that holds the full sheet pans, and aluminum sheet pans lined
with paper (from a roll of the kind used on doctors' examining tables).
  The pans are then great for sorting, and having several of them
stacked in the rack at a time can save a lot of horizontal space.  The
equipment can be a little pricey, but there must be discount restaurant
supply places out there.

Stacy Kozakavich
Graduate Student
UC Berkeley


Greg Jackman wrote:
> Dan,
>
> Copper-alloys could be just as bad - you know the green stain thing.  We use
> a small-gauge expanded steel mesh, 2-3mm aperture, but spray painted to
> better resist corrosion. Alternatively try plastic. There are some great
> poly-mesh's around these days, from the flexible weed-mat/shade cloth kind
> of fabric through to more rigid materials. Go visit your local plastics
> manufacturer - you may be surprised.
>
> Greg Jackman
> PAHSMA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Daniel H. Weiskotten [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 2:58 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Drying racks
>
> In my dumpster-diving the other day I came across a big roll of copper
> window screening.
>
> It got me thinking about my fears of using regular window screening to make
> the small drying racks as I have done at least three times in the past.  I
> feared that using ferrous wire would perhaps leave rust stains on the
> artifacts, although I don't recall that that ever happened.
>
> I have to build a new rack for my latest project, and got thinking that the
> copper wire would be just peachy for the application.
>
> Any comments / suggestions on building safe and effective drying racks
> would be appreciated.
>
>         Dan W.
>