Posts by sheff

Wow, this thread is turning out much better than I thought. Thanks for all of your input. I'm goin to pick up some shears from now on. It was the pec fin that stung me, but I trim everything except the tail when I'm filleting them.

Hey now. When I'm spearfishing, I free dive. I just happen to bring a gun while I'm scuba diving.

The first two were shot free diving. you can even see my float line in one.

I have been doing a lot of lion fish hunting lately. I write it off as volunteer work for my annual evaluations. (what better way to earn volunteer hours than spearfishing right?)

I just thought I would secure a spot for people to post pictures, information etc.

I shot this one today in about 40 feet of water. he was 16" and had to be a few pounds. as far as I know the largest recorded LF is 18"

Just a few randoms from me and my dive buddy.

I was filleting the 16"er today and thought the spines were interesting.

I shot one about 3 weeks ago. I was taking him off my spear in kind of a hurry, to feed it to a jewfish nearby. To make a long story short, I got lazy and he took advantage. He poked me right through my 3 mil kevlar gloves. I immediately surfaced and started the boat to run my hand under the water coming out of the engine. (I read somewhere the venom is neutralized at roughly 110* .) we called the marine poison control line and they recommended some benedryl and an ibuprofin. While I was under the hot water, it hardly hurt at all. I even considered doing a second dive. We decided against it and started our 10 mile journey back to the marina. I would say it was about 30 seconds after taking my hand out of the hot water that it started to hurt... a lot. My hand cramped up and had a weird aching tingling feeling which ended up lasting about 2 days. It was swollen for about 5 days, and the tendon between my thumb and index finger still doesn't feel quite right.

well, I pulled the trigger on some parts. I'll get pictures up once I start cutting.

I'll have enough extra padauk to make a second blank if anyone is interested.

thanks for the heads up guys.

I've been "free diving" for about a year now. mostly in the shallows where a 25-30 ft dive was extreme. I went scuba diving this week and figured I would test out the deeper waters. To my surprise, I was consistently hitting 65 ft. I always dive with friends, but most of them are more inexperienced than I. Should I be worried about things like shallow water black out at that depth?

Thanks for the fishermans knot. here's my pos JBL, and my GoPro mount.

Quote from Hardline

Ive used those little plastic things people use to keep cables together. Not sure what the actual name is. Cost me a buck at walmart.

Edit: these things: Cable tie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zip ties!

I use those for everything.

I just practiced the double fisherman's knot. that's a nifty little trick. :thumbsup2:

to continue on with my "simple questions," If I drill a hole in the butt of the gun, what should I put in it to keep it sealed? I don't want to buy a whole epoxy kit for one hole.

sweet. Stopped at west marine on my way home, and they gave me a few ft of dyneema free.

I just ordered my first float line. what material do you use to make a loop through the gun stock?

I just picked up an OMER Zero 3 Mask and the new Slalom snorkel.

OMER zero 3 mask.

APPEARANCE: I'm not particularly fond of how the mask looks, but I think it will grow on me. It's sort of batman-esque.

SEAL: I haven't had it in the water yet due to some weather, but outside the water it seems to seal well. The skirt feels slightly better than the OMER alien, or bandit.

COMFORT: The strap buckles rotate roughly 30* up and down, and have some in and out play as well. The strap is fairly stretchy, and has a wide back, which makes for an overall comfortable wear.

Overall, I like the mask thus far. The only problem I foresee, is they may have went a little too low volume with the mask. when I wear it now, its quite comfortable. If I apply a little pressure, I can feel the corner of the lens (by the bridge of the nose) on my brow, and it's sort of uncomfortable. I can see where it would become a problem after a day of diving.

OMER slalom snorkel.

There isn't much I can say about the snorkel at this point. It contours my face very well, and isn't too soft where it will collapse on itself. The only thing I don't like is it didn't come with a clip.

I'll check back in later this week, once I can get some time in the water.

Dan, I like the simplicity of the top release, I'll definitely take that into consideration. The reverse mechanism seems like a pretty good idea as well, but it's got me thinking. As I start shortening the gun, and moving more weight to the rear, how will that effect the balance of the gun? I've heard the term ballasting tossed around a few times. What is the proper way to ensure your gun is balanced properly?

You also mentioned gaining a few extra inches on the bands... When I make my bands, how do I know how long to make them? is there a ratio I should be shooting for, static vs. loaded?

Quote

These mechs will easily take 4 16mm bands, and at $60 are a great value. Don't over engineer the gun with a mech way more robust than you need thinking it's going to make the gun better somehow

I understand your logic here. To be honest, I was eyeing the tuna mech for the simple reason that I am lacking in tools to mortise a square pocket for the mech.

Hey fella's,

I've been spearfishing key west for about a year now. My JBL 40 has done me well, but Its time to upgrade. I shopped around for a gun, and didn't really fall in love with anything production. after seeing some work from a local gun builder (impaler spearguns) I decided I have to build.

Like I said, I live in key west. I don't have the resources to build down here, but I have access to a complete wood shop back in Michigan. I'm going to keep collecting parts until I can make it home, then try and put it all together that week (minus the blank.) For starters, I ordered some padauk from the local exotic wood depot. The plan is to plane the wood down to half an inch, then laminate 4 across, and one on top. I am going to use a UHMW enclosed track, with a Riffe 9/32" x 57" Hawaiian shaft I picked up locally. I really like the Neptonics tuna mech, and elite handle. I also plan on utilizing (2) 5/8" bands, and some 300# mono. (So far, I own the spear, and some padauk.)

My only source of information was opinions from a few local guys, and now of course, speardiver, so I am very open to advice or criticism. The guns primary purpose will be around patch reefs, but I don't want to limit myself... I have been having an irresistible urge to try hunting blue water.

I still have a few questions before I start:
- First and for most, I am worried about the finish. The gun doesn't need to be a show piece, but I would like it to look professional, and most of all stay water tight. I don't want something that requires a ton of maintenance, and it needs to be durable. I am also worried a coating will alter the dimensions of the slot for the mech, pin holes, etc.
- Secondly, I have a set of dove tail router bits at the house. does any one have a size, or part number to identify the correct bit for the small 9/32" neptonics UHMW track?
- Finally, does (2) 5/8" bands, and 300# mono seem appropriate for the size and purpose of the gun? I don't have an overall dimension yet, but like I said... The spear is 57"

I just realized how I am starting to ramble, so I guess I'll wait and see what SD has to add. if you made it this far, thanks for your patience :thumbsup2:

-Kyle.

Nice to see a few semi-locals. ya' fellas ever make it down to the keys?

Hey guys,

New member here from Key west. I found this website searching for some insight on my first gun build (thread to fallow.)

a little bit about me; I've been diving for roughly 10 years. Mostly around Mexico, and the mid-west United States. I moved to key west last year, where I took up free diving and spearfishing (or attempted to.) There appears to be some very knowledgeable members here who I am looking forward to interact with, and if I'm lucky, maybe dive with some of the locals.

-Kyle