Temporary Nets

The nets used at tournaments in previous years are similar to the design on the USAPA website, but with some structural differences.

You have two choices for construction: 1) drill holes and use the normal bolts for the end brace clamps or 2) use self drilling screws to attach the end brace clamps to the end legs only allowing the cross-bar and center foot to be inserted.

Optionally, you can use additional screws or bolts to secure all joints to create a semi-permanent frame which can be left up for a period of time.

The two leg assemblies can be left assembled to minimize setup and take down time, plus their one rigid piece after assembly and left assembled, there are fewer parts.

The basic frame for the net looks like this which allows a 22' net suspended between:

Here's the list of items for construction:

4 - 10' sections of 1 3/8" top rail. These are actually longer than 10' with one end reduced (swaged) to fit into the next section.
4 - 1 3/8" rail end caps
4 - 1 3/8" tension bands
4 - 5/16" x 2" carriage bolts and nuts (if not included with tension bands)
5 - 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" end brace clamps (they come in sets of two halves)
7 - 1 1/4" rubber furniture feet
2 - 1/4" x 4"  turnbuckle (hook/eye)
4 - 1/4" x 3" eye bolt
36+ - 12-14 x 3/4" self drilling hex head screws
3- 2" stainless steel pipe clamps (Optional)
1 - 22' pickleball net (not optional)

Construction steps:

1) Take three (3) pieces of top rail and cut a section 69 3/8" long including the swage end. These will be three sections of the cross bar.

a) install tension band and end cap 15 1/2" from non-swage end using carriage bolt and nut. (End cap facing short non-swage end)
b) install end brace clamp next to swage end of pipe (not on the swage, just next to it).
c) set one aside

2) Take the cut off pieces and cut 3' from each piece. These will be two of the feet and one end post. Set two of the remaining sections aise, approx. 20 1/2" each, these are the braces from the post to the cross brace.

3) Take the remaining piece from #2 and cut a section 14 1/2" long. This will be the center leg support for the cross brace. Squeeze a rubber foot on one end and set aside.

4) Take the remaining 10' top rail and cut a section 66" long from the non-swage end. This piece with the three sections from #1 will create the 22' long cross bar when put together.

d) install tension band and end cap 15 1/2" from one end using carriage bolt and nut(this piece doesn't have a swage end and end cap facing the short end)

The pieces from a, b, c, & d when assembled create the cross brace. Each end has an end cap on a tension band approx. 15 1/2" from the end and the end brace clamp approx in the middle of the bar.

e) from the cut-off scrape from #4, cut a section 3' long for the final other post from #2 above.
 

5) Each leg has the following construction and measurements:

aa) Assemble a 3' section for the post to a 3' section for the foot using an end brace clamp (A) centered on the foot. Screw the clamp to the foot using two screws on each clamp on the foot and one screw on the post.

bb) Install a end brace clamp (A) 13 1/2" up the post (measured from the top of the foot bar to the bottom of the clamp) so the clamp is perpendicular to the foot. Two screws on each side of the clamp.

cc) Install a tension band with end cap approx 32 1/2" up the post from the foot (the cap should be facing down).

dd) drill holes at both (D) for eye bolts. The hole for the top eye bolt should be 36" from the bottom of the foot bar. When the rubber feet are install at each B, they will raise it about a 1/4" so the eye is approx 36 1/4" from the ground.  This allows 1/4" drop from the post to the side line so the net is 36" high. Pickleball nets drop approx. 1/4 per foot to achieve the 34" at the center. The bottom  is not critical and can be around 4" from the bottom to hold the net. A rubber foot is installed at the top of the post to prevent injuries.

6) Initial assembly:

aaa) set the left assemblies approx 22' apart.
bbb) insert section from (a) into the cross bar clamp.
cccc) insert section from (b) into (bbb). This should place the support foot clamp at the middle.
ddd) insert section from (c) into (ccc). This is a clean pipe, no fittings.
eee) insert section from (d) into (ddd) and insert into other foot cross bar clamp.
fff) insert support foot piece (#3) into support clamp and twist to support cross bar off ground.
ggg) insert braces (from #2) between post and cross bar. Insert into cross bar end cap, pull back on post and insert into post end cap.
hhh) string net between top of post using turn-buckle on each end. Make sure turn-buckles are screwed all the way out. Tie net to one and hook on post. Pull net as tight as possible thru other turn-buckle attached to other post and tiw off. Now use turn-buckles to achieve 34" height in the center.
iii) tie net at bottom eye hooks.

For a more rigid setup, use a screw at each cross bar joint & end braces at the posts to prevent twisting and slippage at the posts. Alternately, screw pipe clamps can be used to secure the end brace joints at the posts and center support. Place the clamp around the clamp sections holding the pipe and tighten.


Construction hints:

1) You want the end brace clamps to be as tight as possible on all joints. Follow these steps for assembly:

a) Screw clamp onto foot or post at the desired position (center or measured from the end). Put two screws thru the clamp into the post close to the ends of the clamp.
b) Flip the pipe and clamp over.
c) Insert a scrap of pipe into the clamp where the cross bar or support foot will be inserted.
d) Place the other half of the clamp over the joint.
e) Screw a screw into the clamp centered at the joint but slightly towards the bar to slightly pinch the joint and hold inserted piece. You should be able to remove the scrap piece of pipe and when assembling the net, squeeze the bar or support foot into the joint.

2) The tension bands will not be tight enough to hold the clamps into position. After initial assembly, the tension bands and end caps holding the braces may be adjusted to keep the post and cross bar perpendicular. Using screws, secure the tension bands into position by placing a screw thru ach one into the pipe.