Tim, I got good quarter inch hardware cloth from McMaster and Carr 
http://www.mcmaster.com/#, specifically
Galvanized steel welded wire cloth 1/4" center to center, .028" wire 
diameter, 24" width, *part number 9245 T11*.

They also have .025" diameter cloth but that does not hold up.

Good luck.
Bob

Robert J. Hoard, PhD
State Archeologist, Kansas Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS  66615-1099, USA
v: 785.272.8681 x269  f: 785.272.8682  [log in to unmask]

On 3/24/2013 2:00 AM, HISTARCH automatic digest system wrote:
> There are 9 messages totaling 637 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
>    1. 1/4 inch screen mesh source (9)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date:    Sat, 23 Mar 2013 08:43:59 -0700
> From:    Tim Bennett <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: 1/4 inch screen mesh source
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Does anybody have a good source for 1/4 in hardware mesh?  I did a quick search on the Listserv archives and there are a couple of mentions of it, but that was quite a few years ago, at least what was returned on the search parameters.  The 1/4 in mesh/hardware cloth that is sold at big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc is not suitable for archaeological work, at least what is sold in my area of MI.  The product they offer is made in China and is not woven and is very thinly galvanized.  This screen is rendered useless after about 2 days of use.  I did quite a bit of searching on the internet a couple of years ago but it seems that the only 1/4 mesh out there is the China made non woven stuff or high grade stainless steel, brass, etc that is mostly for commercial/industrial purposes.  I have a chapter member that is in need of building some screens so if anyone has any sources of archaeological quality screen, it would be most appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tim
>