Reefchiefs Ameri-euro reef build.

Thanks Don, once concern I had is im not sure exactly how the bands will bunch when under load so i figured it was best to wait and see the real deal.

Quote from Ihab

Laser cutting done...in the polishing process....will have pics tomorrow...and tomorrow it will be shipped.
Ihab

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing the pics, even more to their arrival!

Wooo! They look amazing! Thanks so much for not only creating them but doing it so quickly. Really looking forward to their arrival! :thumbsup2::D:)

George I have plans for the ones I am receiving but Ihab may intend to sell some.

Thanks Nate, Im planning on taking a 2x4, cutting the shape i want into it with a jigsaw sanding both sides of the cut to allow 2mm clearance and then smashing it in there. Then putting that in a vice and cranking it closed to completely form it. I think that if I do it any other way (by hand) its gonna end up wobbly and crooked.

If that fails I will probably build a "jig" with some closely spaced pegs to bend it against. Or I may use the pegs to get it to match the jig.

Will do, speaking of process pics. Here is what I consider a good way to taper a speargun if you happen to not have a table saw but do have a belt sander and strips of 1/8 inch aluminum.

Quote from Nate

Good improvisation. I've used a similar setup to taper. Jigged it the same way and used a flush cut bit on the router with a bearing on the bottom instead of the top.. don't trust my table saw.

Thats... smarter then the sander even. I was actually trying to think of a way to use the router but didnt think of a flat bit with a bearing. that would result in the cleanest flattest surface of all I think. The sander was sketchy as hell trying to make sure it wasnt high in the middle.

After much shaping and bending the trigger is finally finished. Really happy with how it feels and the shape, also satisfied with my polishing job. Progressively fine sandpaper, then a polish with a dremel buffer and compound left it looking sharp.

Quote from Wishihadgills

For bending the muzzle I would use a vice and a piece of steel pipe the diameter I want. Then using some vice grips or pliers bend the plate around the pipe (mandrel) until its the right shape.

Im going to basically do that, but use wood as both the mandrel and the pliers to keep the stainless from getting scratched up and also to ensure the proper shape (which will be a few different bends not just a round 180)

Cloth can be poked through with enough force, I actually just did it with my trigger (dented it through what I thought was more then enough cloth). But I can just put two pieces of wood in a vice when i clamp it and that works great. My larger concern is doing it by hand (ie put it in a vice and get bending) wont result in exactly the shape i desire, and will be uneven, thats why I would like the create some kind of jig to do it with. I have A bunch of Ihab built hardware on other guns and the stainless he uses is some tough mfing stuff so and in my experience the harder the metal the less easy it is to form exactly how you want. well find out in just a few days what method works best :thumbsup2: for me anyways.

A question I started asking myself after replying to Deanmcs thread. Do I want to epoxy this gun? I love oil for everything except its impact resistance. But with a reef workhorse like this thats a serious issue to consider. I knew my bluewater gun would be a seldom used boatqueen baby, so oil was the perfect choice. But now that im imagining using this gun often, I find myself reconsidering a glossy epoxy finish. One major issue for me with an epoxy finish is my perfectionist nature and the difficulty of achieving a perfect epoxy finish free of bubbbles, runs, fisheyes, hairs, insects etc. But that oil wont be so pretty after a surgey reef gets a hold of that raw teak.

Decisions decisions. Any opinions on the matter are appreciated.