gentlemang Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I am thinking about building a net. I can make the template and everything with no issues. My question is what is the best wood to make a net out of? I was thinking something like cherry or maple. Looks like a pretty straight forward process to me. Any recommendations or tips would be appreciated. Thanks Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 Have you checked some of the net manufacturers' websites to see what kind of wood they typically use? I think if you check out some of the higher end ones like Brodin and Fisknat that should point you in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryH Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I've built at least two dozen nets and it's a lot of fun. I've used a wide range of woods. For the frames, woods like purple heart, white oak, ash, and walnut are good choices. The critical thing is you need to have very straight grain. For the handles, since you are not bending the wood, anything goes. I've used cherry, walnut, birds eye maple, and even roasted curly maple. The nets shown below have purple heart and ash for the frames, and roasted curly maple for the handle. Anyway, feel free to PM me if you want to discuss details. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbowtrout Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 Terry makes AWESOME nets!!!!! (I managed to somehow own two of em) also dryfly (Clive) on this site has a book out onhow to build nets. Its a great book. http://netbook.shawwebspace.ca/pages/view/buying_the_book_/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gentlemang Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Terry those are great looking nets. I may PM you when I get to building them if thats ok. I have one project that I need to finish first before I can start the net. Headscan, thats a good idea and I am actually embarrassed that I didn't even think about doing that after veiwing several on the web. BBT I will definately look into that book. Thanks for the tips. If anyone else has some pictures I would love to see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishpro Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I'll vouch for the book as well, I bought it last year and built a net for myself. It's a fun project to take on as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Nice job Terry they look great.How is the handle attached to the rim at the neck?Any special glue or is it screwed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryH Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Nice job Terry they look great.How is the handle attached to the rim at the neck?Any special glue or is it screwed? Just glue -- I've been using a one part waterproof glue like Titebond III. It's good stuff, and the wood will fail before the glue. There are basically three steps in the net building process -- at least the way I do it. The first is to steam the strips and clamp them to the jig. The next is to glue up the strips and clamp them back in the jig. This photo shows that step. If you want tight glue lines -- critical for a high quality job -- you need lots of clamps and properly shaped clamping cauls to distribute the clamping pressure. I designed the nets on a drafting program (AutoSketch) so I can print full size drawing templates which I use to make the clamping jig and clamping cauls. The part of the jig where the frame meets the handle is removable for the last step. The handle is shaped to conform with the curve of the frame, and the frame is then glued to the handle. The first photo in my previous post was taken during this last glue up. The extended part of the frame is trimmed off, and then it's off to the router table. The edges are knocked off with a round over bit, and a groove is made with a slot-cutting bit (to protect the string used for attaching the net bag). Then the holes are drilled for the attachment string. Finally, it's a ton of sanding and putting on the final finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tumbleweed Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Kind of late to chime in on this one but where do you find the actual net material? By the way those nets look awesome! Darryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryH Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Kind of late to chime in on this one but where do you find the actual net material? By the way those nets look awesome! Darryl I sized my nets so they will take off-the-shelf replacement bags from Streamside. A lot of shops sell or can order them, and you can also order them from their website (http://www.streamsidenets.com/canada/) Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gentlemang Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 Picked up the book that you guys have recommended. I found it at one of the local Fly shops. What a good piece. My compliments to the authors. If the fishing wasn't so good I might take some time to build a net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianFish Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 After reading on this forum... I decided to try this out. It isnt as simple as one might think.. and takes more time then I expected. But the resulst so far are fantastic! I used Rosewood and Maple. The frame is VERY sturdy. Going to put a ghost net on it. I think I am going to build a large boat net next.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokerfish Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 nice job, that looks terrific well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryH Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Nice job Canadianfish, and nice choice of woods. Make sure to post some pics once it's finished and all strung up. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm2 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Great looking work! Makes me want to give it a try, be sure to add more pictures once the net is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianFish Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Great looking work! Makes me want to give it a try, be sure to add more pictures once the net is done. Will do.. Just waiting on the ghost net in the mail.. Already making anoher one of this same net.. Going to also make a Boat net and a small stream net.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Looks good and much better then my first attempt.Mine looked more like a tennis racket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianFish Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 After being put on the back burner for awhile... I finally finished the net. here are some pics of it all varnished and strung up. Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbowtrout Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryH Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Very nice job -- only one thing left, and that is to land a nice fish using it. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianFish Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Very nice job -- only one thing left, and that is to land a nice fish using it. Terry Done and done!! had to get out today to do just that. Wasnt the biggest fish, but a beauty rainbow christening of my new net, "Trout wrangler". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianFish Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Done and done!! had to get out today to do just that. Wasnt the biggest fish, but a beauty rainbow christening of my new net, "Trout wrangler". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutlover Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Great post! Nice net thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybridfive Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Beautiful Net and catch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miked Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Sorry for bringing up an old post but DANG!!! those are some beautiful nets you have all built. Gonna have to look into that book cause I am very interested in looking into this. Outta curiosity what would be te minimum required tools to buld one of these? Again beautiful nets! Nice work! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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