May I use aluminum screen for holding the shape for paper mache?
Answer from Piñata Boy
I don’t know if aluminum screen will support the weight of wet papier mâché, but if it will (and if you can remove the screen once the papier mâché is dry) then sure. But you may be able to get better results faster if you start with large sheets of thin cardboard. If you can build the outer shell of the roller skate out of cardboard first, then it’ll only take a couple layers of papier mâché to strengthen and stiffen the cardboard. You may be able to prop up the shell of the skate with something other than screen, such as another large piece of thin cardboard bent to fit the inside of the skate. If you use thin cardboard you’ll have to make a lot of cuts to get the curved shape you want, but if you get the cardboard for free from Sam’s or Costco, you’ll have plenty to work with. Good luck!