Okay, so I’ve been meaning to document this project for a while, and today’s the day! It all started because I wanted to fix up the volleyball net in my backyard. The old wooden supports were, well, old. Rotted, splintery, you name it. Time for an upgrade!

My first thought was, “I need something strong, but also something that looks kinda nice.” I didn’t want some clunky metal poles sticking out. After some digging around and asking some handy friends, I decided on larch timber. Apparently, it’s pretty durable outdoors, and it has this warm, reddish color that I liked.

Getting Started

First, I measured the existing setup. I needed to know how tall the poles needed to be, and also how far apart they were. I grabbed my trusty tape measure and jotted down all the numbers. I don’t want things to look all wonky, so it is important for me.

Next up, sourcing the timber. I went down to my local lumber yard. It took a bit of searching, but I finally found some nice, straight pieces of larch. I also picked up some concrete mix and some heavy-duty bolts – gotta make sure those poles are secure!

The Dirty Work

The real fun began with digging the holes. Let me tell you, digging holes in the summer heat is no joke. I used a post hole digger, which made it a little easier, but it was still tough work. I made sure the holes were deep enough to provide good stability – about a third of the pole’s length should be underground, I figured.

Once the holes were ready, it was time to position the poles. I had a helper for this part (thanks, neighbor!), which made it way easier to get them perfectly vertical. We used a level to make sure they were straight, and then temporarily braced them with some scrap wood.

Then came the concrete. We mixed it up according to the instructions on the bag – not too runny, not too thick. We carefully poured the concrete around the base of each pole, making sure to fill the holes completely. Then, we double-checked the level and made any minor adjustments before the concrete started to set.

Finishing Touches

After letting the concrete cure for a couple of days (I wanted to be extra sure it was solid), I removed the bracing. The poles were standing strong and proud! I then attached the keel for the volleyball net. This was the part that would actually hold the net, so I used those heavy-duty bolts I mentioned earlier. I made sure they were good and tight.

Finally, I attached the volleyball net itself. It felt good to see the finished product – a sturdy, good-looking net that was ready for some action. I even gave the larch a quick coat of sealant, just to help protect it from the elements a bit more.

It was a bit of a project, but totally worth it. Now, I have a volleyball net that looks great and is ready to stand the strong smash from me. Bring on the games!