Posts by Peripatetic

In cave diving you learn to carry multiple knives. Not only should you have a knife, but you must be able to reach it. If you are using cable many knives won't cut it, so I have gotten in the habit of carrying a line cutter on my weight belt. It cuts on the pull, so is much easier to cut a line under tension.

I picked up some Tzalam that looks nice. The SG is about the same as Teak. I plan to glue it up some time next week.

That is good customer service, and is the reason I will be ordering parts for my new gun build from Dan:thumbsup2:

I'm not sure. I was told it might have been a "Pedregal". Just looked it up, Definitely not a Totoaba

Thanks Dan!

I am still trying to get them to honor their warranty, but will figure it out somehow. I may very well ask you to do that for me. Its time to build my own guns anyway. I don't need their plastic crap!

Not the case at all. The only thing I have ever used the trigger for is shooting fish. The mech is pretty cheap looking, so damage is highly likely. Overall I would say the gun performed well for six years and a lot of hard use. The breakdown is with the manufacturer who does not seem to be interested in assisting a customer with a problem.

My AB Biller 54 started accidentally discharging last Saturday. I've had the gun about 6 years, and its an entry level product, so I am not surprised that the trigger mechanism would wear out. What did surprise me was the way my call to customer service was handled.

I emailed first, but got no response, so I called. The guy I talked to told me the part was under warranty, which I knew, and that I just needed to send $20 and they would ship one anywhere in the US. The problem is, I don't live in the US. I asked if I could get one shipped to me in Mexico, but I was rudely told that was not possible. If I want a new trigger mech it can only be shipped to the US. Most US companies use some kind of carrier such as Fed EX or DHL, even UPS. All of these carriers ship internationally. I cannot understand why they refuse to ship me a warranty part. I find it even more difficult to understand the rudeness of the customer service department.

When I bought the gun I knew it was low end crap, but it was all I could afford at the time. I will certainly never buy anything else from AB Biller.

This thread has been dead for too long. I propose to change that.

This past weekend I had an opportunity to visit, and dive with, a friend in Punta Mita. It turns out that this friend, Javiar Alvarez, is the owner of Punta Mita Expeditions. We dove for a few hours on big balls of sardina. There were thousands of small African Pompano, Jacks, and I saw one Golden Trevally. Later we did a long drift dive where I missed a perfect shot at what looked a lot like a WSB. Although we did not connect with any Cubera or other big species, it was a great afternoon.

Javiar is a highly skilled diver, and runs a good operation. His Captains take their jobs seriously, and he is now the sole owner. Any bad press about Punta Mita Expeditions from the past is related to a previous partnership, and does not reflect the business today. I highly recommend them to anyone thinking of freedive spearing at Punta Mita

Thanks Marco

I am really just looking to use local materials both for availability and for their beauty. I've been a woodworker all my life, so working with new materials is a source of pleasure.

I own several teak guns, and they are awesome. Now I am looking to try something different.

Yes, I can weight the gun, but getting close with the material saves a lot of work. There are many species of wood available, but Parota is cheap and easy to find.

Hello gun builders

Can anyone offer advice on an "ideal" specific gravity for building guns? Teak is a very popular material which has a listed S.G. of .55 to .66. Is this an optimal range for a gun which is slightly buoyant minus the shaft?

I have access to many exotic woods, and am considering Parota for a reef gun. Anyone have experience building with Parota, which has a S.G. of .34 to .44? Is this too light?:crazy:

Royakdiver

The length of anchor line (rode) in relation to depth (scope) is more important than the anchor weight itself. A scope of 5:1 is recommended. In storm, or poor ground, a scope of 7:1 is normal. In calm conditions and firm ground 3:1 may be sufficient. In addition to increased length of rode, chain the length of the vessel is a good idea. I also carry a buoy, which lessens shock on the anchor system.

That being said, I generally up the anchor weight to the next size, and carry a minimum of 150' of anchor line. This may seem like excess, but is standard procedure on bigger vessels. If your boat drifts off without you the result is the same, whether she is 10' or 400'

My buddy Mark (Spearshack) in Ocean Beach dives out of a Malibu Two, solo, all the time. Because of its length it paddles fast: Much faster than my W.S. Ride. My next yak will be a tandem due to greater speed, stability and payload, not too mention more under deck storage.

Welcome aboard Frank:thumbsup2:

You wont be in the boat while you are spearfishing anyway. Its just a way to get to where the fish are. Secure your gear well, wear a life jacket, and use your head. If it looks to gnarly to go out, it is. In a small kayak you want to head in before it gets nasty.

Mucha suerte'

I don't know Mikhail at all, and I was not attempting to discredit him, just trying to point out what looked to me to be an unsafe position for the gun. As I said in my post, it could very well be the angle of the camera, or the gun is big enough for it not to be an issue.

The muzzle hold is not uncommon. I have seen it taught in instructional videos on other sites, but if the tip of a loaded gun is under your chin it is potentially deadly.

Nice video. Its great to see a video of freediving, not just kill shots for a change.

I have posted about this on other threads, and on other sites, but I regularly see videos, including instructional videos, showing a muzzle hold with loaded guns. Regardless of the reasoning, the muzzle of a loaded speargun should never be pointed at the diver: this is asking for trouble.

It is not my intention to criticize the diver in the video, but in my opinion the guns muzzle should never be behind the diver's head. Perhaps it is only go pro angle that makes it look like thats where the muzzle is, and If I am wrong forgive me.

I have seen the muzzle hold recommended for stealth diving with larger guns in other videos, but I don't think its safe. There is too much risk of an accidental discharge, which could be fatal. Spearguns are just as dangerous as firearms, and should never be pointed at something you don't intend to shoot.

Marco

Let me know next time you are here. Mexico now has many good beers.

Scott