For an answer to your question # 4 -
Check here - http://www.bwire.com - these guys will actually send you 4 x 4 samples of stainless steel wire cloth so that you can take a look at the material before you go spending big money on an item that you cannot use.
I believe a lot of guys have been...
Local Wire Mesh - Dont pay international shipping
This is a foreign website if I have ever seen one - NO THANKS!
When it comes to wire cloth material - there are only two places that I ever buy from:
www.bwire.com
and
www.grainger.com
I used to use Mcmaster- Carr but their prices have...
What are the wire mesh protectors? Never heard of these - and what size wire mesh do you think these are made of ? Are the openings around 1/2"???http://www.bwire.com/index.html
I buy all of my mesh sample packs in 12" x 12" square from here - http://www.bwire.com/index.html
I believe they call it a "mesh assortment" and it includes about 10 squares of wire cloth in varying sizes an wire diameters.
Just thought I would throw that source out there and try to save you...