Making of Walker Net Arms

[Paul Cook]

Try a billhook.

http://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/gen/thumb ... medium.jpg

Thats what I am now planning to use.

That will do the job but really anything such as an old chisel , old knife , basically anything of that nature . At the end of the day , keeping costs down is the main thing so anything man enough to take a decent strike from a hammer and is capable of creating that initial split will be good enough .

[Mushy]

OK, thanks Paul, reckon I could manage stage 1, but may have to buy a couple of culms just in case , not calling Chapmans yet though, lets see what else is required !

[LuckyLuca]

Terrific start Paul, enjoying this!

[Mushy]

Yes agreed, and very informative, pitched just at the right level

[Beresford]

Really enjoying this already. One question, since price has been a consideration that has to some degree inspired the notion of home building of such a net, how much does a culm cost? Does the blade used for splitting need to be razor sharp to cut the enamel?

[Loop Erimder]

About 8 quid ish from B&Q, thats what I bought for my bamboo float tubes, usually come in about 5 foot lengths

[Hovis]

I wonder if the B&Q one will be up to scratch so to speak?

[Loop Erimder]

Or if anyone is near to a rod maker you could always ask for one as they will generally bin about 50% of culms as any inperfections won't be any good for rod making, I knows that cus Ryan told me so there

[Paul Cook]

Tonkin prices have increased although I havent brought any in for a while now due to having quite a stock but perhaps culms could be shared in price , one culm will do two people ?
The B and Q stuff I am not so sure . It is bamboo and will have power fibres and who is to say it will not be any good for this project but I know nothing about it to comment . As I said before , it doesnt have to be tonkin , watermole used Green heart and I should not think that it wouldnt matter if it was made from oak or ash laminated .

The splitting tool does not have to be razor sharp as long as it has an edge and will withstand a sharp tap from a hammer .

[Barbulus]

I now have found a B&Q culm from my garage loft space and intend to use that one to practice as shown above.....as PC rightly states, the object here is to keep the costs down and have some fun along the way following this "guide" that has kindly been provided and see what we all end up with at the end....

I know that a certain TFF member has today driven over to a particularly famous lake in France and has taken his Walker "style" net that he just made with him........Grrrrrrrrr.............envy envy envy....Ha !