home made hawaiian sling

[danhitchcock]

Hi,

I've never been spearfishing before and decided a trip to key west was the perfect time to start. I began building my own hawaiian sling (right now, its just a tube), and I had a few questions.

i'm using the design i found off the internet-- pvc tube, surgical tubing, electrical tape, hose clamp, steel rod. Seems pretty straight forward, and very simple to make. I am going to get a bicycle handle to put on there for a nice sturdy grip. I had a few questions that maybe some of you handy people can help me with.

1. I was also thinking of attaching about 5ft of trailing line from the butt of the spear to the front of the barrel. maybe 80lb mono or something, or some 200lb woven. I wouldn't spool it or anything, thinking 5 ft might be short enough to not have a problem with. anyone ever tried this, and does it have unforeseen problems?


2. what size surgical tubing should I get? I was thinking about using 2 surgical tubes instead of just 1 like a slingshot, thinking a shorter throw might be preferable.

3. For the tip, every design I see uses a flapper. Is there any reason to not use a paralyzer tip? I imagine it has something to do with fish size, and I never intend of spearing a fish that can swim stronger than I can.


thanks for the help, and once I build it, i'll be sure to show some pictures and let you know how it works (provided I can ever find a fish).

-daniel

[bgill]

I'd get with ILDiver on this one!!! He's made a few of 'em....It would seem he 's done the research and is now making pretty deadly ones.

I'll try to find the thread for you...


Here you go - http://forums.deeperblue.net/wiscons...hawaiian+sling

Has some nice pics , and may give you some ideas too! Hope this helps you out!

Good luck with the Hawaiian Sling you are making...Home made is ALWAYS cool. Can't wait to see the pics when it's completed!

I'm sure you'll have no problem finding some sort of legally spearable fish in the warm clear water's of the Key West area of Florida...
Man...I wish I was going to Key West...So tired of WINTER!!!!

[danhitchcock]

Ok, I got my 1/2" surgical tubing in, and it is huge. A lot bigger than I expected 1/2" to be. Also, I think the 1/2" pvc is a little large, so I'm gong to use 3/8" hot water tubing for it instead.


And, found a metal fabrication place-- 48" 1/4" stainless steel rod - $3.

I'll post a pic when I get it built

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by danhitchcock

...And, found a metal fabrication place-- 48" 1/4" stainless steel rod - $3.

I'll post a pic when I get it built

Sounds like a good deal - you must be in America! You often have to pay more than that to park near anywhere the sea in the UK. You might want consider getting a little extra to make an iki-spike. (I would think a paralyzer tip would be a good match for a limited range - you mentioned 5 ft).

[ILDiver]

In my opinion you'll get better range out of a shaft with a flopper. If the shaft has a threaded end, then your set, you can but one type of each tip. The shaft I bought is a 1/4" x 60" shaft. I've seen the sling design like the one you have built or are building. The metal hose clamp always worried me. I've cut my hands on them working on cars.

My sling handles, I carved out of teak. My motivation was that I wanted a nice handle and I wanted to try and carve a comfortable shape. And I wanted something that was going to last me. Building a nice quality piece for myself makes it really mean something and I know when I get old, it will still be around and maybe I can pass it on. It's not a full speargun, but it's still cool to me.

What I did for the cap that holds the shaft was drilled out a 1"x 1/2" Nylon Spacer. I used a 2x4 to make a jig. I drilled a 1/2" hole in the side of the 2x4 to put the spacer in, then drilled a hole from the top that wouldgo through the spacer from the side. That hole through the side is what the band goes through. Then down through the middle of the spacer I made the bore to hold the spear 1/4".

For attaching the band to the handle I used black Dyneema cordand wrapped it around the handle and the band, and looped one loose end through the other and pulled them under the wrapping, then tied the ends together. I can take some detailed pics later when I get home.

I'm not sure if you went through my thread thet bgill linked, but cdavis gave a good suggestion. I tied the bands at what would be the front of the handle, so the band stretches backover my hand when pulling. This gives you a little more band to pull and a little more energy.

I'm not an expert by any means, I just enjoyed making these and plan to make a couple more. If I can answer any questions I will. Good luck. Post how it shoots and what you take with it!

Edit: Forgot, the line. From what I've seen of on video of guys in the Bahamas and in the Keys, you don't really need the line. And spring steel is the best for the shaft, so it flexs but keeps it's shape better. And make 2 shafts, if one gets bent you can keep on keepin on!

Edit #2: Jon talks about using a line on his. I think it's in this post, but may be in a different one but same thread:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/wiscons...tml#post688237