Chris Hogg wrote in
:

Ah! I thought you might ask. From the waste skip at my former place of
work, where scrap ends of such things were regularly disposed of. I'm
not sure where you'd find it otherwise. It was mesh used in big
industrial screens for removing oversize material from slurries;
approximately 1 mm aperture, although many sizes were available.
Phosphor-bronze was also used, and I imagine copper would do also if
you can find it. A quick search on eBay for stainless steel mesh
throws up all sorts, as always, but there are some cheap tea strainers
that might be strippable.


Yes indeed - the tea strainer idea is a good one! Anyway, I think I have
accomplished the repair effectively, thanks to your excellent idea of using
shavings as welding rods. I reckon that if the thing springs another leak,
it won't be in the same place!

Thanks again..

Al