Alright, so I decided to tackle a project I’ve been putting off – making a solid timber volleyball batten. I’ve got this old volleyball net that’s been sagging, and honestly, it was driving me nuts. Figured a good, sturdy batten would do the trick.

Getting Started

First things first, I rummaged through my shed for some decent timber. I found a nice length of hardwood – I think it’s oak, but don’t quote me on that – that looked about the right size. It was a bit rough, so I knew I had some work ahead of me.

Prepping the Timber

I dragged the timber out and clamped it down to my workbench. Safety first, you know? Then, I grabbed my trusty hand plane and started smoothing out the rough edges. This took a while, and my arms definitely got a workout! I kept at it until I had a reasonably smooth surface, getting rid of any major splinters or bumps.

Next, I used a hand saw to trim the timber down to the length I needed. I measured it against the width of the volleyball net, making sure it was a snug fit. I wanted a good, clean edge, so the cut had to be right. I eyeballed it one last time to be sure.

Shaping and Sanding

With the timber cut to size, I used a rasp to round off the edges slightly. I didn’t want any sharp corners that could potentially snag the net or, worse, someone’s hand. Once I was happy with the shape, I moved on to sanding.

I started with some coarse-grit sandpaper to smooth everything out, then gradually worked my way down to a finer grit. This part was pretty tedious, but I wanted a nice, smooth finish. I kept sanding until it felt good to the touch.

Finishing Touches

I wiped away a bit of dust and then started to think about the finishing. I will appy a coat of exterior wood sealant to protect it from the elements. After all, it’s going to be outside, exposed to sun and rain.

After the coat is done, I have to install it! Then I could start to play! I nailed it to the ground.

And that’s it! My volleyball net is now nice and taut, and I’ve got a custom-made batten that should last for years. It was a bit of work, but definitely worth it. Plus, I got to use my tools and make something with my own hands. Can’t beat that feeling!