Sbuoncristiani,
With speargun making, the "devil is in the details" as you seem aware. I don't know what level of detail is in the Alexander plans, but I will throw out some things off the top of my head.
Read all the threads on proper lamination techniques..ie .only rough between the laminations, clean teak with acetone, use west system epoxy or other high quality epoxy. I like to have 1/4" laminations and like to reverse the grain others like to use the T system of lamination.
My last gun I made (see speargun pics under the homemade thread) had 6 laminations and I found it very useful to have a piece of alluminum angle iron same length of stock to square and clamp the laminations against as they cured. Have seveal quick clamps available...I used a clamp every 6 inches.
Put about 3 layers of blue (easily removable) masking tape over the outermost layers of teak (what will become the finished sides) before laminating to protect the teak from glue soaking/staining and to protect teak from misc. scratches and dent occuring during machining (only remove when you are ready to work on your finnish. Masking tape over wood also prevents splintering when cutting. routing, and drilling.
When mortising, experiment with a few things...1 use masking tape wrapped tightly around the stock a drill through it. You can also try mortising opposite sides of the stock and meeting in the middle(if you have the precision tools) this can be difficult. Or finally, tightly clamp another piece of dense scrap wood to the bottom of the stock where the mortise bit will exit and drill stright through the stock into the scrap. Sharp blades/bits on all tools are always a must!
As far as the line release slot, I didnt have a mortise that small so I think i used a drill press followed by a dremmel with a long carbide grinding bit to clean it up...followed by an exacto knife. This was a pain....just start smaller than you finnshed hole becuase this can quickly get away form you...Maybe others have a suggestion in this area?
Finishing has its own challenges. Many including myself have posted our favorite finishing techniques recently so try a search on those threads.
Finally, take the time to practice on a stock made of scrap wood ...its much cheaper than teak. And finally, remember to "measure twice, cut once"
Good luck
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