Talented woodworker and Forest 2 Home partner, Scott Seaman created an incredible workshop project using Forest 2 Home materials! Scott's custom made net is a project we haven't seen the likes of before here at F2H! Follow along with Scott's project plans below and to find out more about his woodworking journey check out How to Start Making Money from Woodworking with Scott Seaman or find more of his work on his Instagram page.
Materials
- Forest 2 Home 1 in x 3 in x 60 in Cherry
- Forest 2 Home 1 in x 3 in x 60 in Ash
- Forest 2 Home 1 in x 4 in x 12 in Hard Maple
- 5 pieces of 1 in x 5/8 in x 60 in hoop strips (Ash wood bends well and is less likely to split)
- 3/4 in plywood, MDF or OSB for forms
- 15 in silicon net
- TotalBoat Halcyon varnish
- TiteBond III Wood Glue
Watch to learn how to build a fish landing net
Fish landing net build plan and instructions
Step One: Woodworking templates
Print and cutout templates from The Filson Journal. Trace templates on 3/4" plywood or OSB or MDF, then cut out templates using a bandsaw or jigsaw. Attach cutouts together with screws.
Step Two: Cutting out the handle
Using the handle template, mark and cut the handle shape. Attach it to the form with double sided tape/painters tape or by using CA glue.
Step Three: Cutting strips
Cut strips 5/8" wide on table saw. While my materials list requires at least 5 pieces, it is idea to have extra strips on hand.
Step Four: Applying wood glue to woodworking project
Apply waterproof glue to each strip and slowly start clamping from the center of the hoop, working from both sides. I chose to use TiteBond III wood glue due to its waterproof properties. Be sure to apply glue to the sides of the handle before clamping the strips to the handle.
Once the glue has dried, remove your project from the form. Use a sander or hand planer to even out the strips and handle.
Step 5: Use a router
Using a 1/16" slot cutting router bit, cut a channel centered along the edge of the hoop, starting and stopping just shy of the handle. Then use a 1/4" roundover router bit to finish off the edges of the inside and outside of the hoop as well as the handle. Using a router along the edges will give your project a finished look, though this step won't be done until you have sanded until you have a nice smooth hoop and handle. I started with 80 grit sandpaper and moved up to 120 grit.
Pro tip: Before I did my final sanding, I sprayed the hoop with a little bit of water to raise the grain. This will help to give it a smoother finish after the final sand. Once the hoop was dry, I hand sanded with some 220 grit sand paper which made for a super smooth work piece.
Step 6: Applying wood finish
I applied TotalBoat Halcyon varnish to my net, though you can use exterior polyurethane, varnish or Tung oil; any wood finish that has waterproofing properties is best. I brushed on six coats to guarantee a strong, waterproof coating.
Step 7: Marking for your net
When you are ready to attach your net to your hoop, take a piece of painters tape and apply along the outer edge of the hoop, marking where you want the last two loops of the net to be near the transition to the handle.
Remove the tape and lay it out on your workbench, measuring between the 2 marks you made and dividing that distance by 1 less than the number of loops your net has, then marking this spacing along the piece of painters tape. My net had 15 loops, so I divided by 14, which came out to about 3 1/4 in between each space.
Reapply the painters tape to the outer edge of the net and drill at each of these marks using a 1/16" drill bit.
Step 8: Tie on your net
After sanding, I applied a few additional coats of varnish to ensure the holes were completely waterproof. Once the finish is completely dried, you can sew on your net-just avoid poking yourself in the finger! When all loops are securely attached to the net, tie off your thread in a knot and cut the excess. I topped the knot with a little bit of glue to prevent it from fraying later.
Step 9: Go fishing!
Enjoy your custom made fish landing net (also known as a trout net)!
Want to share your own project plans with us? We will feature them on the F2H blog! Send an email to marketing@forest2home.com with photos and step by step instructions of your favorite woodworking project! Happy woodworking!
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