Does any one work with wire/build armatures?

[KatyMac]

How do you work out what diameter you need?

For example I think changer wire is too difficult to manipulate what would be thinner but still strong

Aluminium? Or copper? Does it matter?

I have gone with 2mm wire, is that too thick?

I've used aluminium wire, I bought a pack of 1, 2 and 3mm wire and found that even the 3mm wire is easy to manipulate. I made a 12 inch high figure and covered it with Modroc; there was no problem with it bearing the weight.

Thanks - I may have bought wire that is too thin then

I am hoping to build a carnival costume and it needs to be quite substantial