Walker net – the essential metal work

[Beresford]

Following some interesting conversations with members and the help of Chris Ball I'm now in the process of drawing up accurate plans from Walker's own freehand sketches of his carp landing net. There has been a lot of interest in this classic 1950's net design but even second-hand modern reproductions rarely come up for sale. However, encouraged by a couple of TFF members I have decided to investigate the possibility of having a short run of the essential, but difficult to make, metal components produced. This would give anybody who is considering building such a net for themselves a significant 'leg-up' in obtaining the parts needed. (I will be speaking with other suppliers for other parts if there is sufficient interest.)

I will be meeting with a light engineering company, who specialise in very short runs, of precision components. They typically produce anything from 1 – 1,000 units. Currently my plan is to obtain a quote for the following three key metal parts of the classic Walker Net, precisely following his design (not later versions such as the B. James produced variant):

The hinge piece and the two brass bolts that locate into this piece to hold the net arms in place
The Long bolt with knurled button end
The ferrule for the end of the handle pole, drilled and tapped and with a domed bolt to locate the hinge piece and prevent it rotating.

On his drawings Walker specifies that the spreader block should be made of wood. This block holds the varnished cane arms in place and for a couple of reasons I feel this part remains best made in wood, although later designs used alloy and another materials. For now I won't be seeking a quote for an alloy spreader piece.

The viability of having a run of these parts made is going to depend entirely on cost and I will be obtaining a quote based on having five sets made and then each run-on of a further five sets made, with no upper limit. My view is that I'm happy to have as few or as many of these made as there is a demand for since this net has proved to be difficult and illusive for members to obtain. Of course the cost would reduce the more sets that are ordered. However, the production would be limited to one run and although I expect I'll have a few extras made, again depending on costs. Of course the entire project may turn out to be a non starter if the fees are excessive but for now all I'm asking is for expressions of interest with absolutely no commitment whatsoever at this stage.

Equally if there is an interest in having an alloy spreader block made in place of the original wooden one please voice an opinion…

Beresford

[Barbulus]

I salute your industry young Beresford. I certainly will mark "an expression of interest" - wood or indeed alloy "spreader block" and will be interested to see what results. Fingers crossed that we are pleasantly surprised.....

Additionally, in parallel to your own enthusiasm and effort, I will be looking over the next few weeks at the practicalities of a "self help" option.....in the "DiY kitchen workshop" as per my other pathetic efforts over the months.....this parallel effort will not be seeking to in any way supplant the more precision based approach but rather I will explore whether there is an alternative. We have discussed the "cane arms" seperately last week and I agree that the professional approach with one of the well known and respected manufacturers is undoubtedly the way to provide a precise and quality set of "cane arms" for the net......there is another option though as evidenced by Northern Nomad with his DiY laminated cane arms last year which I also hope to experiment with once I have sourced some cane and a decent wood plane....

[Barbulus]

Just back in from washing the car as the birds have, yet again, "pooped" all over the bonnet......Grrrr............anyway...it gave me the opportunity to have a bit more of a think about Beresford's initiative.......

There are currently in excess of 700 TFF Members.........this is a potential opportunity for some of us to acquire the various "bits" to have a Walker style net.......

Accordingly, if you are at all interested in this project, may I encourage you to show an expression of interest as per Beresford's initial post at the start of this thread....there is no obligation at all at this stage....simply an indicator of whether there are more than five of us from the 700 or so TFF Members who would like to have in our collection and for use a very traditional style of net.....just simply post a "reply" to this thread saying "yay" and then we can see what materialises...!

[Grazy]

It's a 'Yay' from me at this stage although the biggest net I'd use on a river is 32" as opposed to the larger carps net of 42" so presumably the arms can be made to length?

I'm very much behind anything that can engineer something like this and wished I'd have listened more in woodwork and metalwork at school and gained the necessary skills but I do enjoy the thought process that goes into design, prototype and in my case many revisions to get an end product that is both practical and in keeping with tradition.

Of course it maybe a 'nay' once costs are agreed but nothing ventured nothing gained and good luck with the project. It would be useful if you could post a few pictures of what the Walker net should look like because I've not come across it before

Edit: Good old Google and TFF, it's something like this presumably viewtopic.php?f=94&t=2204

[CrayCane]

I'd be interested in a set, depending on cost of course. I'd also be interested to see how much an alloy spreader block would cost.

Thanks for taking the initiative on this, much appreciated.

Pete

[Bob Brookes]

Interested, although of course cost dependent.
Bob

[Hovis]

Same as above. Cost dependant. I will stick my neck out and say I would prefer a alloy block as I will either lose,break or chuck a wood one on the fire.

[Mushy]

What he said

[Beresford]

Thanks all. I will do a bit more work on the computer tonight. I had to smile as I've found a second company who undertake small specialist production runs such as this and they are within walking distance of my village home.

I will draw up and add the alloy spreader however, I have a thoughts on why Walker specified wood:

• money saving
• to make construction from scratch at home easier
• to save weight

and most importantly - I think the key reason is wear and tear. A friend of mine had a very high quality reproduction that had an alloy block and this sits tightly over the varnished silk/nylon whippings at the base of the arms. Very rapidly (i.e. within couple of outings) this tight fitting alloy block was cutting through the varnish and into the silks. I believe that the slightly more forgiving properties and tolerances of a wood block will be less abrasive on the varnish and whippings. I do however note that some nets don't have the whippings all the way down the arms to where the spreader block sits. Even so I think wood sitting over the varnished arms will not cut in the way alloy does.

[Wallys-Cast]

Beresford, I will have a go at the woodwork part for you if you are interested, just give me a detailed drawing, preferred timber etc and I'll make one for you to have a play with and if its what you want I'll do the others. I have some well seasoned American red Oak which will probably be perfect and a nice match to the cane once varnished but if you want beauty I also have some nice Cherry in store too.

If you already have the woodwork sorted out then that's fine and good luck with your project. I look forward to seeing the results and I would be very interested in making one for myself so "Yes" put me down for a set of the metalwork.

Wal.