Posts by Deanmc

That's a work of art!

Thanks for that information. I haven't purchased any wenge as of yet but was thinking of using a strip in the next mixed wood blank that I make... I'm up for a challenge.

Ha ha, super model beautiful but a pain to live with. That's great!

How did you find working wenge? Everything I've read says it's got a severe blunting effect on tools, splinters easily and can be problematic sanding due to differences in density. Local hardwood supplier just got in a wenge boule. I was thinking of picking up a slab, that and a new ripping blade:-)

Love the combination of woods you used, looks awesome!

I got that line form the guys at Techosport in VA. It's in the Omer accessories catalog. I looked on the spool and all I know is it's 1.5mm

I used an Omer Match Aluminum reel with Dyneema line

I finished the gun last week. Took it into my pool and checked the buoyancy. This weekend I drilled into the stock and added some lead. I got the holes all plugged up and I'm applying teak oil to those plugs. I'm going to try and get in the pool with it this week for some target shooting. Here it is, plus a couple photos of build #2 which I hope to start putiing an epoxy finish on this weekend.

And the next project

Quote from Ihab

If I do get several inquiries from this forum only...I will disclose steps some tips on how to achieve a nicely coated stock with a good shine....But I have to admit that I will not disclose 100% of what I actually do for obvious competition reasons.

You'll get 90% within this level if not more....promise.

Ihab

Being new to all of this and about to start finishing my first gun I'd love to hear about your process!

Nice work on that muzzle, well thought out!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience. I had no idea about penetrating epoxy. I was going to apply several coats of Phils epoxy according to his instructions and then after the final application go over it with some scotch brite or steel wool to get rid of the gloss finish and render the satin finish. I figured that way I'd have the protection that epoxy offers and the look that I wanted. Now I'm thinking, after reading all of this maybe I'll go with oil on this one being that it is teak. I have a Padauk blank that I'm going to start on soon so that one I'll use the epoxy on. This way I get to experience the process of both finishes and then decide which one I like better.

I like the idea of the polyurethane over epoxy too, I hope Wood Guy keeps us up to date on how the Grandson build holds up once the diving season kicks in.

I was thinking the opposite, the gloss finish would scratch easy and be a pain to maintain. The oil finish would require more work because oil would need to be reapplied. I figured the matt would give be the look I wanted (more like an oil finish appearance wise) without the maintenance. I guess maybe that's not the case based on your experience with it. I've never had a wood gun so I'm pretty clueless about all of this!

Well, after going back and forth between doing an oil or an epoxy finish Ive decided to go with the epoxy. I'm going to do a matt finish though. I just ordered Phil's epoxy from Josh. I did all my shaping on the stock with hand tools, it's not perfect but I'm pretty happy since it was my first gun building project.

Hi Balispearo, must be a great place to hunt with all the reefs and clear warm water!

Thanks Reef chief, if this thing comes out 1/2 as good as your first build I'll be stoked! Looking forward to seeing your new one too.

Last night I got the slot for the line release cut in and drilled the hole for the pin.

Quote from Wood Guy

I was referring to the handle frame.

OK, that's what I thought you meant but then when I read it again I thought maybe you were talking about the trigger mech.

Thanks!

I like my slip with the wooden poles:laughing:

Quote from Wood Guy

" Personally, I prefer to set it up kind of high in the blank and use a bent push rod, but I know some guys don't like them bent.

Hi Woodguy are you talking about the mech, or the handle? I got the track cut and the mech pinned in last night. I was going to do the line release and handle recess tonight. I have the Neptonics handle frame, I'll be making wooden side stocks for it.

Here's a few shots of last nights work

It's taken a while but I'm about to get going with my build. I've been practicing on 2X4's for a while and I'm confident now I can get the job done.

I have one thing I'm a little fuzzy on: The gun will have two 5/8" bands and my plan was 2 seperate holes as opposed to a slot. I'm not sure how to space the two holes (which will be 9/16 diameter), distance between the two holes and minimum amount of wood from the top of the hole to the top of the gun. I'm planning on a 1/4" deep open track (9/32 shaft). My blank is just a touch over 1.5" tall. I'm using a Neptonics reef mech with the auto reset tab and it's a mid-handle so things are going to be tight down at that end of the gun but I think it will work. First lesson learned is make a taller blank when using that mechanism.

Here's a couple shots of my blanks, one padauk and one from the battleship teak, I went a little nuts this winter I've got 3 more hanging:D

Spearguns by Gil, Gil? He was a pretty young guy no?