Cut the slats from the 1/32" x 1/8" x 24" strips.  Glue them to the hoops and bottoms of the traps with CA, as shown on the plan. Note that three of the slats end at the center hoop to form an opening, as shown.

Roger's Notes:  If you wish to detail your traps, use the rigging cord to tie a small stone to the bottom of the trap, as shown. The netting can be made from an old hair net and glued to the traps with CA. If you decide to do this, the nets, lobsters and stone should be installed before the slats are glued to the hoops.

Paint the two lobsters then add them to your traps.  If you decide to add the the lobsters, here is a picture of some lobsters to give you an idea of their color.



     
              Click on image to enlarge
Photo courtesy of Media Archive

Drill a 1/16" hole through the ends of both traps.   Pass a length of cord through the holes and secure it with CA. Cut another length of cord and tie it in the middle of the first piece. as shown. Pass the other end of this cord through the hole in a buoy and secure it with CA.




Roger's Notes:  Midwest tells you in your manual that the lobster traps can be placed anywhere on the model.  However, as a practical consideration, they recommend that you remove them when running your boat as they are delicate and could be damaged through handling.  I agree.

Lobster Traps

You can build two lobster traps from the materials listed below. If you wish, both traps can be built at the same time.

To complete this sub-assembly, you will need the seven (7) pieces of 1/32" x 1/8" x 24" basswood and the two (2) pieces of 1/8" x 1/8" x 24" basswood from Bag Number Two  (#2). You will also need the small cordage and the two lobsters from the Accessory Bag.

Before we start building, here is a picture of some real lobster traps.
     
              Click on image to enlarge
Photo courtesy of Media Archive



Use a piece of rag to rub a wash of thinned wood stain or gray paint over all of the wood strips. The color should have a flat, weathered appearance and allow some of the natural wood color to show through. Save the rag and wash. Use it to color the ends of each piece of wood after cutting apart and before gluing it in place.



Cover the drawing of the lobster trap bottom on the plan with plastic wrap. The parts for the bottoms of the traps are to be cut from the 1/8" square basswood. Use the drawing of the trap bottom on the plan as a pattern to make these parts. Glue them together with CA.





Locate a bottle or broom handle that is about 1-1/4" in diameter. Rub a paper towel soaked in alcohol on one 1/32" x 1/8" x 24" basswood strip to soften it. Wrap the wood strip around the bottle, as shown. Hold it in place with a rubber band until the wood dries. Then, remove the wood from the bottle. This piece of wood will now have a coiled shape. It will be used to make the hoops for the traps.



                 Click on image to enlarge



Using the plan as a guide, cut the hoops from the coiled strip of wood and glue them in place with CA. Be sure the hoops are all at the same height, as shown. Paint the lobsters and glue them to the bottoms of the traps with Slow CA.