Banner Sponsors

Mo Beary Feb 17, 2011

I have been asked if I would donate something for a silent auction benefiting our local SPCA - great cause!

I would like to design a dog and build a wire body frame! 

What gauge of wire should I use?? 

Any hints or tips on either pattern design or building the wire frame would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

enchantmentsart Feb 17, 2011

Well the wire size depends on the size of the dog.  But larger wire is going to harder to work with.  I use http://www.dickblick.com/products/armature-wire/ it's aluminum and very easy to work with.  I normally use the 16g for my smaller dragons & the 9g & 6g for my larger one's.  I have some 4g but it's too hard to work with.  Just remember with wire gauge the larger the number the smaller the gauge and the other way around.

desertmountainbear Feb 17, 2011

Are you going to use joints?

Lovethosebears Feb 17, 2011

A while ago I was looking for some ideas of how a pattern for an animal on all fours would look and I found a really helpful design on Nancy's site dogpatchcritters.com it is at the bottom of her links section.

Mo Beary Feb 19, 2011

Thanks Nina for the tips on wire size!  I wonder if you could get the wire at the local hardware store??

Joanne,  I hadn't thought about jointing - I'm thinking I probably shouldn't joint but I'm not sure! 

Alison,  Thanks for the link - I'll check it out!

enchantmentsart Feb 19, 2011

you should be able to get electric fence wire at most hardware stores & it's normally aluminum so it's easy to work with, unlike steel which is a pain.  If you're hardware store doesn't have it check at farm/ranch supply stores like Tractor Supply