Net Fruit Picker

Fruit pickers with cloth bags sewn to loops at the ends of poles are common.  One problem with the standard design, a simple circle, is that the fruit sometimes pops out of the bag before pulling loose from the tree.  I solved that problem by adding a little finger-like extension to the loop design.  The fruit goes into the bag and the stem is grabbed by the reduced width in the finger area.  Once it is caught in the finger, there is no escape!

The 1/4 inch rebar is not hard to bend into the loop-and-finger shape.  All you need is a big pair of pliers and some muscle.  

Twist the rebar legs around each other by holding the loop in a vise while using the same pliers and muscle.  Not only does this firmly join the legs to make a strong loop, but it also makes an irregular shape that the 3/4 inch EMT tubing can grab onto by mashing the tubing down around the twisted rebar with a hammer.  

EMT electrical metal conduit tubing comes in 10 ft. lengths, which is a decent length for a picking pole.   Use 3/4" tubing.  

Simply push the twisted rebar legs of the loop part into the end of the tubing and mash it down with a hammer.  The loop end will be held firmly.  

I like fishnet for the bag because it is strong and see-through.   If you don't have fishnet, you can always use cloth.  Shaping the bag is up to you, depending on the fruit you plan to pick.   I mostly whip stitched it to the rebar