Gary,
have you read the actual recipe for the 5-1-1?
You want to keep everything under 1/2 inch. Can you post a pic of the material you have so far?

Josh

I agree with Greenman28.

Any particles from dust up to 1/2" will work (I use up to 3/8".) I like the very fine dusty stuff because I need the extra water retention, otherwise the mix drains too fast for me. Don't know why you are messin' with any screen smaller than 1/2".

Thanks,Josh and edweather. Yeah, I've read Al's recipe so much I can recite it in my sleep. :0) But to be sure that I'm on the same page with you:
5 parts pine bark fines
1 part sphagnum peat moss
1-2 parts perlite (coarse)
dolomitic lime (no quicklime) 1 Tbsp per gallon/1/2 cup per cu. ft.
Following your suggestion, I was able to locate 1/2" hardware cloth; didn't realize I needed so had never inquired about it locally. Now I'll be able to keep the size of the pine bark fines under the threshold.
But my original question had more to do with the "fineness" of the fines to be used and the wide suggestions I've read in this forum led to my question.
Like you, many suggest using 1/2" (or 3/8" in some instances) down to dust. Then here are those that warn against using anything less than 1/16", citing the increased water retention as the particle size decreases. (edweather: I can appreciate your use of the dust to prevent too fast drainage.) Others state that the bulk of the bark be in the 1/16"-1/8" range, with more emphasis on the larger size, also citing the water retention concern, as well as noting that perched water disappears with particles just under 1/8" (I believe 1/10" was mentioned.)
So I reckon the concensus is that there is no concensus.:0) Josh: my son-in-law has promised to teach me the art of uploading pictures, per your request, in an effort to bring me into the twenty-first century!! Depending on his success, will post the pics!
Again, many thanks to you both.
gary

Frankly, you're going to have to experiment and get a feel for how the different mixes perform. I usually don't worry about the fines as much because everything dries out really fast here...I need the water retention for my own convenience. Also, some plants will perform better with more fines (in context) and some will perform better in a more uniformly coarse mix. When you have a lot of fines, you can consider leaving out the peat to bring things closer to a "classic" 5:1:1 consistency. Don't be afraid to experiment - whatever you come up with will be much better than anything you can buy pre-mixed at the store.

Yes, you will have to experiment. My first year I tested a batch of my double ground pine bark and it had almost 1 part fine stuff to 5 parts not fine......so it was perfect to use as is without any peat. That being said the mix still drained too fast and I need to water a little more often than I liked, so the next year I increased the fine stuff by a part. And yes it's all good because it will still be the best mix you've used regardless. You're definitely on the right track.

I think where you may be getting confused is that the "Gritty Mix" requires the serious sifting for particle size. The "Gritty Mix" and 5-1-1 are very different mixes.

Great ideas! I guess there is consensus after all: experiment! I should have known that was the answer but, even after nearly seventy years, I still don't always use common sense.
Based on these (your) suggestions, I'll weed out everything larger than 1/2", use everything that remains (Again, thanks to all; I feel that I have that right "beginning" recipe!
I have questions more about the actual planting in containers; I'm guessing that the forum protocol is such that I should start a new thread (is that what it's called?) I look forward to any help there.
gary

Excellent, you've gotten some great suggestions.
Just remember to fertilize adequately, and you should be very satisfied with the results.

Josh

Thanks everyone, for your suggestions. Next spring is really going to be an eye-opening experience for me, and one which I look forward to.
gary