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All About Guns What's your weapon of choice, and why? Discuss the beloved speargun here!

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Old 10-07-2015, 01:40 AM   #1
whale tale
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First Time Gun Build, Model

Hi everybody! I'm making a couple spearguns. I thought it'd be a good idea to post a picture of the model I drew in SolidWorks and see if any salty gun makers have suggestions for it.

It's for a 5/16 shaft, reef trigger mech, neptonics AR handle base, whatever bands I'm strong enough to pull. The wood's Sapele, nice straight grain. Planning on epoxying it, not planning on putting a reel on it.









All comments/slanderous insults welcome.
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Old 10-07-2015, 09:01 AM   #2
Wood Guy
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Nice lines. How long is it, and why the holes in the sides?
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Old 10-07-2015, 11:50 AM   #3
whale tale
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

It's a 42 inch. Kinda long for reefs on the central coast but I was thinking that under-powering a gun would be better than over-powering.

The holes are just for maneuverability and I was trying to move the center of gravity back towards the handle (didn't really work). Of course that's w/o hardware.
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Old 10-07-2015, 03:01 PM   #4
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Most small guns (at least the ones that I've made) tend to be nose heavy because the stock slims down there, and because of the shaft overhang. Removing wood forward of the "belly", which is probably very close to the center of buoyancy when the hardware is on the gun, will only make the gun more nose heavy because it removes floatation forward of the center of buoyancy. Big, smooth roundovers on the sides (see Ulusub, for example) will do more to streamline the gun and ease the swing than holes will, and at 42" you might need the wood when you ballast the gun.

I would also consider a 9/32" or a 7.5mm shaft rigged with one wrap, along with the 5/16". You might like how this gun shoots with a smaller shaft. Rig both shafts, using the one you like best, with the other as a back up.

Just a couple of thoughts.

http://spearboard.com/showthread.php...andson%27s+gun
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Old 10-07-2015, 07:12 PM   #5
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Before committing to the height dimension of 1.25" you may want to order the parts first and see how high up you can get the handle. 1.25" may not be deep enough especially with what looks like a deep open track (which is good). The handle mounting plate will likely foul/bind on the mechanism bias spring. One limiting factor may also be how low the trigger hangs, but you can trim off the end so it does not bind on the trigger guard.

Also with that loading butt and such a short gun you may want to consider a reverse type mechanism to maximize the available real estate. However I prefer the operation and feel of the reef over the reverse, unless you go with another mech manufacturer.
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Old 10-08-2015, 07:03 AM   #6
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Great advice by Wood Guy and Manoa Matt!
I'd also check to see if your router bit for the thru cuts is long enough; the gun looks quite wide. You can flip gun and cut from both sides, but it's nice to cut through in one pass. Also, make the cuts are a little oversized to allow for epoxy; ie. cut trigger pocket slightly wider than 1/2" wide.
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Old 10-08-2015, 09:32 AM   #7
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Like the idea behind this gun. Its Different. Im interested to see how this gun performs
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Old 10-08-2015, 11:33 AM   #8
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Are you using cad/cam machine for cutting the gun?
That's a big undertaking if not.....will be great to see it when it's done.
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Old 10-11-2015, 01:57 PM   #9
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Really nice design! Nice idea also with the side wholes but on a wider body stock it's most likely not necessary since it is more hydrodynamic then say a riffe(non euro) for example. Also remember that the more wood you remove, the lighter it is, the more recoil it will have. More mass=more accuracy and less recoil. Make 1 or 2 slots underneath for ballasting, round out the edges and put a nice epoxy coat to make it cut through the water.
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Old 10-19-2015, 12:25 PM   #10
whale tale
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Thanks for the feedback folks!

I'll probably plan on ballasting in the gun butt to try and avoid the nose getting too heavy. What with tapers and the band ramps that could become an issue.

Manoa Matt you were spot on with the handle height. It took an extra 0.25" to accommodate the mech spring.

Most cuts are finished on the gun except for a couple tapers, roundovers, and rigging pins. Then to epoxy it and take it test-driving! I'll post pics later. Here's one of cutting the band ramps with a hand router:

Last edited by whale tale; 10-28-2015 at 10:59 PM.
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Old 10-28-2015, 10:50 PM   #11
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Ready to epoxy. The one at top is the one in the drawings. The one below is an attempt at a "yacht" gun (see gladiator, hatch, petar pan).
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Old 10-28-2015, 10:58 PM   #12
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Aaand epoxied. 4 coats of Herranen epoxy apiece.



After all the hours put into them, these two objects are incredibly precious to me at the moment!

Should I go for a matte finish? Seems to me that shiny things don't tend to stay that way, so I might as well get it over with.
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Old 10-29-2015, 12:40 PM   #13
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Really nice!
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Old 10-29-2015, 12:51 PM   #14
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

Very nice work indeed
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Old 10-29-2015, 04:43 PM   #15
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Re: First Time Gun Build, Model

God they looked great in the raw wood.. There has always been something special to me about the natural finish of good wood..

BUT, cant really leave it live that unless its a wood like teak which has great water resistant qualities. Im pretty sure there is a few oils which leave a natural / matte finish though.

Impressive work either way, you should be stoked!!
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