Did I just just get lucky?

[Harry H]

I thought I'd have a go at making a bent wood landing net, the plan was to try lamination rather than going to the trouble of making a steamer. I'd already got a spreader which I'd purchased years ago but never got around to it and a few weeks ago I found a strip of oak in B&Q of all places that was cheap enough so if things didn't work out I hadn't lost to much. Now B&Q timber doesn't have the best reputation for being well seasoned but in this case it may have been a god send as it was very flexible so decided to cut it to size 20mm X 8mm and give it a go.
So did I just get lucky?
Pre assembled to give the woodwork a clean up.
A question for those who know about these things, what do you use to treat the timber with?

[EricW]

That's looking good Richard. Do you still have to add layers to that? Presumably if you do they are going to have to be progressively tighter curves. I shall watch this with interest.

[Harry H]

That's looking good Richard. Do you still have to add layers to that? Presumably if you do they are going to have to be progressively tighter curves. I shall watch this with interest.

Hi Eric I'm going to try it as is, I have a 24" net made by someone else that is 9mm thick so hopefully 8mm for a 18"net should be OK. time will tell. It was my original intention to build it up in 3mm layers.

[MGs]

I went down the same route as you. I used 2 layers as the net relatively small 15"x19" designed for roach etc. The frame is approximately 25mm deep by 10mm thick.

I did have some issues as I decided on a blunt top frame which made the curves tight on the top corners. I split at least one piece. In hindsight a round frame, like you have done may have been better.

However, It has been in use now for 5 years and coping well. In fact, I've just stripped the net off to re-varnish it and reinstall the net. I'm hoping that it and my heat bent cane one will see me out. I just used the same varnish as I use on my cane rods, depending on what I can get hold of it is usually Rustins or Blackfriers.

Yours is looking good, keep us updated on progress

[Old Man River]

Very nice Harry, I have made a “few” steamed ash nets , and used Danish Oil to finish them, the more you use it over time, the deeper and more lustrous the finish, it also repels water very nicely too.
I have also made several cold formed laminated bamboo nets that I finished with simple yacht varnish . It gives a good tough flexible finish ,I have a laminated bamboo net that I made about 4 or 5 years ago and gets used very regularly . So far it has not shown any signs of wear to the spar finish at all so I am quietly confident of its qualities .

David