Start of a mulberry and cherry landing net

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Felt like sharing a new project I started. I wanted a larger landing net and figured I’d try my hand at making one. I still have more work to go before it’s ready for the net. But the hoop is 1/2” thick by 1” deep mulberry. It’s two halves that are 6 foot long and bent into shape shape with just a heat gun for dry heat. A couple pin knots decided to crack a little but doesn’t seem to effect much when flexed. But I’ll fill and wrap those when done. I also left these slats rough cut instead to smoothing them over so I can see what mulberry can handle strain wise. So if you’re hesitant about using dry heat to adjust a bow, it can do hire a bit if you take your time and heat up slowly. Next step is to cut a piece for the yoke area and glue it all up.

I’ll update as I go

Kyle

[jameswoodmot]

That’s gonna be great kyle. What you going to use for a net, knot one up or can you buy them?

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I decided to go the route of making my own net too. Just for the experience at this point. I already had the needles from a different project. After the pain in the buttery of getting the starting looks. It really hasn’t been too bad for a rainy day project

Kyle

[bjrogg]

That’s pretty cool Kyle. I’m thinking it’s a pretty cool Kyle. Looks great and a nice skill to have.

Bjrogg

[Pappy]

Man , nice work, that is a beauty.
 Pappy

[Robert Pougnier]

That looks awesome.

I know a bowl turner in Vermont. His name is Dave Brown (might have a website) and he's an avid fly fisherman. A while back he started making these landing nets like these and they are just gorgeous. He uses steam and a few thin layers of contrasting wood.
Looking forward to seeing this one, they have been on my mind. Pretty inspiring!

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Thanks guys. Hopefully tonight I can get it cleaned up a bit and shaped out proper. But all pieces are glued up and even had a major mess up of pulling the clamps too soon. I didn’t bend the hoop to perfect shape so there’s some solid tension pulling it into place to glue up. I used ea40. I thought it had set up solid enough to hold and removed the clamps to bring it inside to finish curing. But overnight if peeled apart. A quick cleanup and reglue and it’s holding now. I got the net done too and realized I picked the wrong string material. I used Mason line as it’s cheap, strong, and has a stretch. But I didn’t think about that it’s made to release knots easy. So all the square knots are loose. So I’ll have to snug them up before I dip it in some liquid rubber.

I started a second one for my dad. The hoop pieces are bent and ready to glue together. This one bent even better. Just a couple minor cracks starting that are barely even noticeable.

I’ll get some pictures tonight when I get some more noticeable progress

Kyle