Welding 3/8" expanded to angle-iron frame

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This Project is an "on the ground", apartment bldg. air conditioner cage house, to prevent further vandlism to the AC-unit...Cage is 4.5 foot cube..  Two 14 x 35-inch doors, on pin hinges for easy removal of doors...For easy cage removal, cage is 4-pin hinged to a 4" x 1/4" plate 4.7" square base, which is mounted with 8, six inch 1/2" cap bolts, which are T'd to anchor into the 10" wet-cement footing...To prevent destructive kiddie-poking at the ACU, I opted for 3/8 flat expanded steel...What is the best method and materials to weld the screen to the angle-iron frame, so the psychotic little kiddies can't kick it in?..   I tried to sell the client on a hip roof, but they figured it might be too dangerous for the psychotic kiddies, and might cause the little vandles to hurt themslves, thus causing potential lawsuits.. so the cage roof must be flat...  Will two equally spaced 1 1/4" angle-iron cross members be enough to prevent damage to the cage, when the little monsters dance on the cage in attempt to damage and crack it open?..I'm hoping that one cross member per each side, should be enough strength..?
Reply:For something like that, when you expect damage on purpose, you'll need it practically to be strong enough to prevent something from coming in even WITHOUT the expanded steel there.  Any amount of jumping or purposeful hammering will break or seriously bend the expanded and eventually render it useless.  It needs to just be the gravy and have all the protection from the framing members.
Reply:Just brainstorming here so...Have you thought of putting a big chain link cage around it (maybe with barbed wire around the top)?  It could be big enough to make access at least difficult without a gate key.  I have seen power transformers done this way at ball fields to prevent any stray kids from getting fried.If you go with the metal cage, I think mac is right, build it so that the cross members are the cage and the expanded metal is intended to just keep rocks and hands out.  I would think the best method would be to mig the expanded metal to the angle.  Just start on the angle (it's thicker).I would think the long-run, least expensive and most effective route would be to put the units on top of the building.For the family that keeps getting their unit damaged, I'd up their rent and explain why...if things didn't improve, I would evict them.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Doesn't say where your at Sparks but if an AC is needed I assume it gets hot enough to need it.    I would follow the advice of the others above about making the frame the main protection.   I would advise the owner to hide a wireless security camera nearby and catch the turds doing it.  I would then charge the parents the cost of repair.  Of course claiming it is going to take 3 weeks for parts and repair during the hot part of summer works as well.Inspiring Thought for the Day:Some people are like slinkies ... Not really good for anything....but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Reply:Make sure you tack the expanded sheet  as much as possible.  Best point is that the thick cross/junction points.  Two equally spaced cross pieces should be enough.  It dosen't matter what you do - some idiot will take a few wacks at it.  If it dosen't cave in right away, the chances are with their short attention span something else will distract them or the noise will attract to much attention and they'll move on.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:Shop around for HEAVY expanded metal.  You want the heavy stuff that is used for walkway grating.  Don't get flattened.  The raised is stronger/stiffer and is not inviting to fingers between.
Reply:Go to a local crushed rock co. where they crush and screen rock. Ask if you can have/ buy some old worn screen cloth. It may not all have the same size opening, but I guarantee when you get it welded in, it won't stretch or break easy. If it has holes worn in it, cut out small pieces  to weld on the side facing in. It may not be pretty, but they'll need a sledgehammer to get thru it.                  MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw