Beating Sheet Material

[bret]

I make my own collecting equipment whenever I can, and I sewed together a beating sheet, 30X30" (76cm) square, out of heavy canvas with pvc pipe for cross-members. This was over 20 years ago, and the thing is certainly durable, but it is also heavy, bulky, and absorbs water like a sponge. I've tried using a compact yellow umbrella, but all those metal supports sticking out in all directions makes inspecting and collecting the catch difficult. 

So, my question is, have others experimented with other beating sheet options? Lighter-weight fabric? Different color? Different material? I was thinking of experimenting with Tyvek (don't know if that is a brand outside of US), which is almost weightless, but its slickness might be a drawback. Also, its whiteness may be blinding in the mid-day sun. Any thoughts or best-practices in this area?

Bret

[prillbug4]

My Beating sheet is from Bio Quip Products. I have never had any problems with it. It's light, and very durable. I even used it when I was down in Belize and Arizona, along with my sweep net. Lots of beetles were collected then as well as other insects.
Jeff Prill

[bandrow]

Hi Bret,

I use BioQuip's sheet as well, with one modification. The PVC cross-bars that come with the BioQuip sheet are too large and heavy, in my opinion.

I buy the replacement sheet from BioQuip and then make my own cross-bars. The stock version comes with 3/4" PVC poles - but I use instead 1/2" PVC poles, inserted into a 1/2" copper "cross" as a coupler in the center. Finding the cross might be tough, but check old, established hardware stores - they may not be available at the "Home Depot" types of places.

The beauty of the copper is that it is 1/2" I.D. - inside diameter, and the PVC is 1/2" O.D. - outside diameter. This means the PVC fits into the copper perfectly - snug, but still loose enough to disassemble the sheet.

I'll see if I can get a photo uploaded of my setup...

Cheers!
Bandrow

[bandrow]

[bret]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, one of the features I like in a beating sheet is portability. Pocket-sized is probably unrealistic, but small enough that it isn't sticking out of a pack getting caught on overhead branches. You've given me the idea of possibly using replacement tent poles as cross members. These aren't the old-fashioned aluminum poles, rather flexible fiberglass similar to what fishing rods are made of. I've seen them in the sporting goods section. If I come up with anything worthy of reporting, I'll let you know.

I've also thought of trying to use a large expanding sunshade, the kind made of a spring-steel hoop you put in your front windshield to keep the sun out. While size and portability are great (folds up into the size of a dinner plate), I haven't found a decent way of supporting it that doesn't negate the other benefits.

Thanks. Bret

[bandrow]

Hi Bret,

The tent pole idea could be a good one. Some of the hollow fiberglass poles with elastic connector cords that come in shorter lengths could work - you can get them custom-made at bigger sporting goods stores. I don't know what is available as far as the shortest length per segment - maybe as short as 18"? The individual "arms" of my sheet measure 26" - pretty compact, really.

The one possible drawback to the tent poles could be that they might be difficult to hold steady, as the smaller diameter pole may be harder to hold onto without it tending to rotate in one's hand, especially if a little wind is involved. It's worth checking into though...

Cheers!
Bandrow

[bichos]

have you considered a large butterfly net with a heavy duty bag/material? I prefer to use them as I find when I'm beating, some specimens will fly away, particularlly in hot weather.

I've used up-side down umbrellars as well