Build A Net Gun

Step 9 Assemble Net

A single net will be cut from the large net you ordered. We will build a net spreader, a string that runs the perimeter of the net and pulls it evenly into a square. The tractors are tied to each corner, through a loop in the spreader string, and a loop in the corner mesh of the net. This step involves a little knot work, I use the overhand loop, the bowline, and the double fisherman's bend.

All of the dimensions in this step relate to MN&T sku# 263, if you use a different number you will have to change the following three dimensions.
Substitute the Knot cut point value from the net math spreadsheet instead of knot 54.
Substitute the Cut length value from the net math spreadsheet for the 162" value.
Substitute the Square depth value from the net math spreadsheet as the overhand knot spacing for the net spreader string, instead of 9.55'.

• Net supplies

4 tractors from step 8
1lb Memphis Net and Twine sku# 263
OR a substitute net computed using the net math spreadsheet in step 2
At least 50' of nylon mason's twine (#15 or smaller), kite string, or some other thin durable rope. This will be the spreader string
Utility knife
4 zip ties

Assembly

• You will receive a pound of net in a plastic bag. The net is pulled taught and wound into the bag like a rope. Find the free end and count off 54 knots and then cut between knots 54 and 55 Fig 1. The 54th knot should land at 162" Fig 2.
• Take your spreader string and measure 5' and tie an overhand loop. Tie three more overhand loops every 9 foot 6 inches. Leave another 5' of string after the fourth knot and cut. You should end up with 4 overhand loops evenly spaced with 5' of free string at either end Fig 3.
• Spread your net out in an area where it can lay flat and as square as possible. Tie an overhand loop in the corner of each corner mesh of the net.
• Weave the spreader string through the rim meshes of the net Fig 4. A spreader string overhand loop should line up with each net corner overhand loop Fig 5. The 5 foot 'tails' you left on the spreader string should meet in the middle of the remaining side. Measure a length of 9' 6" on this side and tie a double fisherman's bend in the middle Fig 6, cut off excess string.
• Cut four 2' lengths of string, these will be the tractor strings. Tie one end of the tractor string by making a bowline that passes through both the spreader loop and mesh loop Fig 7. Tie a second bowline at the other end of the tractor string, try and end up with 16" from bowline to bowline. Zip tie the free bowline to the bottle neck or the PVC tractor body Fig 8. You can try tying a knot here but I have yet to find one that holds well.
• If you built the high performance tractors, put the pipe insulation on now. Slide the insulation until it completely covers the tractor Fig 9. Make sure to leave 2-3" of foam at the cap end of each tractor to act as a shock absorber.

Comments

[j4lmmfwcl]

im almoast done with my net gun but i cant figure out the size of the net.

[crispyjones]

You're not giving me much info. Did you buy a different net size other than #263?

[2k000]

 could somebody plz make a video or direct me to a site that can help me bcuz im thinking of making it but it looks extremely difficult and im not exactly an expert threader myself so if anyone can help me..... and ikarskarn how much are you selling them for?

[johnylingo25]

you realy had time to make this?

[fenderoneoone]

what about a fishing net could that possibly work? do they even make fishing nets with a #15 string on it? i guess if not i could wait but im impatient!!

[SkipperOf]

Oh and another thing, my knots didn't line up perfectly and it still works great. As long as your knots are good, you don't have to be perfect with the measurements and everything.

[SkipperOf]

I found it helpful to stake or hook the net in place so that it was easier to thread through. If you do this in an open space, the threading part won't take long at all. It took me about 20 minutes.

[tk4717]

wow... net building is the worst part! Forget selling the finished gun - just sell the nets! This is terrible - its like some weird nightmare! Okay... maybe its just me. I'm gonna have a smoke and go try again in a few minutes :)

[tippmannphreak]

Yeah...It took me around an hour or so to make ONE. It's difficult, and I was tempted to make a video of it to ease the suffering of other net makers. lol.

[tk4717]

okay, so its not impossible (even for people like me :P) its just a bit tedious. My suggestions: 1. give yourself alot of room 2. make everyone else leave or shut up (unless they're helping... but choose your helper carefully!) 3. Don't let your dog in the room (otis felt it was necessary to roll around on the net and get all tangled up in it while I was weaving in the net spreader) 4. use twist ties to hold your corner loops together.

[crispyjones]

I wove my first two nets, talk about a nightmare. If you are within an inch or two you will be fine.

[Ikarskarn]

I have not received my nets yet, but I felt a shiver down my back when you said you wove your first two nets! Wow, I bet that was a heck of a job! I did redo the tractors a little bit. I used the putty that you kneed together to make it as hard as steel and pressed it into a 3/4" PVC pipe with my 1/2" pipe in there, pulling it back and fourth. When it hardened, it formed a nice path and does not stick at all. My next ones I am going to take a chain and push that in there so that one half link sticks out. hat way I can tie the net onto that link instead of using a zip strip. I may have to add some weight to the end as I do not want the tractor to flip in the air. As long as the flying end has more weight, I think I should be fine. It will take a long time to get the calculations correct, but I think it will work better the my check valve idea, lol. Wove your own nets...

[Ikarskarn]

Haha, I wish you luck! Let me know if there is a trick, I just ordered my net about 3 mins ago. I still didn't make it to Menards, I would love to find a more sellable trigger for this unit. I may mold something myself. I was even thinking of putting a kit together and selling them and giving crispyjones a cut of the profits. I really want one myself just to play with! ;-) Wish me luck on getting a nice trigger, as that will makes sales THAT much easier! As I am wishing you luck on the net, haha...

[2k000]

 how much are you selling them for?

[tk4717]

I'm not experienced with knots, nets, ropes etc. - I'm afraid my measurements after knots are tied are going to be slightly off... how exact do they need to be? will a inch or so make a big difference in the end?