I'm making my own SG wheel, and, long story short, I was wondering if I could use 1/4 inch metal hardware cloth instead of the 1/2 inch plastic. Would that be OK, or too harsh on their feet?

Thanks for any input!

I would not use the metal at all, I think it would not be safe. I'm not sure of the proper size to use for wheels, but I would stick with plastic, and look for the smaller size. I recommend double checking on the proper size, and to stay away from the metal

I would get the 1/4 inch with plastic coating (or just plastic, but I don't think it even exists), but I can't find it. Hmm... I'll look around at other stores.

Not sure where you live but you can get the plastic kind at home depot. Lowes may carry it too but I got mine from home depot. Good luck

The 1/4 inch hole plastic mesh is usually found in the section with rain gutters - used for gutter guards to keep leaves out. I think it comes in a narrow roll.

The 1/2 inch plastic mesh is great for cages but probably too large spaces for a wheel.

I was looking at Home Depot, but could not find plastic hardware cloth with squares smaller than 1/2 in, or any rubberized metal ones. My dad says that he got the rubberized metal 1/2 in squares from HD, but when we asked one of the workers, he said he had never heard of such a thing. () So we're going to look around at different stores around town and see if anyone else carries what we're looking for. Has anyone ever seen rubberized metal 1/4 inch hardware cloth?

BTW, this is the tutorial I was basing my wheel off of, but I have altered it to make it simpler and cheaper. It is the blog of a member of this site, but I can't remember whose.