Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. The grid I’m using is stainless – I bought it as a 12" x 12" square and cut it down into various sizes with a cutoff wheel – but it still turns black and flakes off.
Noel, I’ll give the titanium strips I have a try like you suggest. They are only 1/4" thick, so will work with a bezel and backplate, but probably not torch firing for enamels. Do you use them on a charcoal block (hard, I assume?) or what type of block do you prefer for that kind of soldering?
Ted, I don’t do anything even close to the scale of the items you create, but I was hoping the titanium wouldn’t be as big of a heat sink as the stainless steel grid when soldering. The one person from the '07 part of the thread mentions twisting – do you think that might be a problem?
Janet, as I said, I’m pretty sure what I have is stainless and not plain steel. Here’s what I bought:
- ASC Stainless Steel Mesh 304,#4 .047 Wire,Cloth,Screen,Woven wire 12"X12"
I also have a smaller mesh screen (I think it came with the tripod when I bought the latter) though it may not be stainless, but the mesh is so small that it seems like it would burn up quickly. Have you experienced that?
I’m using a Smith Little Torch with propane and an oxygen concentrator (the one from Rio). Too hot, maybe? Hmmm… but I need the heat for the enameling. (And I love it.)
I’ll report back if I find out anything more. Thanks for taking the time to help.