Help with DIY Retractable Overhead Net Design (Cantilever/Planter Base System)
Hi everyone,
I currently use a GoSports Range Cage, but after skying a driver over the top, I realized I need overhead protection. Since I’m in a rental, I built a non-permanent cantilever system using weighted planters as bases. Stability-wise, each base is a 300 lb planter, so the structure is very bottom-heavy and secure.
The Current Setup:
- Structure: Two cantilever arms on opposite sides of the cage.
- Geometry: Each arm has an 8' beam. 2' is behind the pivot (for counterweight/stability) and 6' extends forward.
- Dimensions: The beams sit at a 45° angle, reaching a peak height of ~11.5'. They extend 4' past the front of the range cage and are spaced 11' apart.
- The Goal: I need a functional design for the net itself that can be easily raised and lowered.
My Current Theory: I’m considering using a 10' long 1" EMT pipe as a top spreader bar, using 90° elbows at the ends to reach the full 11' width. I could potentially "hoist" this bar to the top of the wood beams and secure it with a block or screw. For the sides, I’m thinking of running weighted cables along the beams and using carabiners so the net can slide up and down like a curtain.
I’m looking for advice on:
- Attachment: What is the most secure way to "seat" the EMT pipe at the peak of a 45° wood beam?
- The Hoist: Is there a better way to raise/lower this than using a broomstick to shove it up there? I’d love a pulley or "flagpole" style setup but I'm worried about the 45° angle causing friction.
- Netting: Since I haven't bought the net yet, what dimensions or border types (webbing vs. raw edge) work best for a sliding/retractable setup?
Appreciate any engineering insights or "I've built this before" wisdom!
