105cm enclosed track composite

[foxfish]

Here are some pic's of my latest creation.

 

[spaghetti]

We'll call you Master Foxfish! This is a wonderful work of art, and if it shoots fine as it looks, well you're a true Master my friend.
Did you shape alluminium by yourself? Will you tell us more on how it's made?
Bravo Maestro!

 

[azapa]

very cool foxfish, i love the go faster stripes. tell us more tech details, trigger mech etc. How did you make the body? molds? tell more. Oh, and when should I send you my address to receive the beta test model for evaluation in Southern Hemisphere waters ??

 

[Magpie]

Oh god Mart, you better sort that paint job out or I'll be coming round armed with a can of spray paint!

That aside it looks sweet, give us some details about how you made it eh! Whats the balance like?

 

[foxfish]

Maggers I like my "jolly gurnard" & "shinny sandeel" paint work!
I used quite a few different materials in this build, the core is made from 2mm marine grade aluminium "T" section. This obviously gives the gun immense strength & rigidity, I sourced some 25mm high pressure PVC pipe & cut a slot down its length, the pipe was bonded to the three edges of the "T" with expanding foam. There is some wood used in the handle & fibre glass around the muzzle. The enclosed track is made from 8.5 mm OD aluminum pipe.
To be honest this is a prototype & I didn't take any photos during the build, it would be far easier to explain with pics - so I will make more effort to photograph the next one.
I have balanced the gun to be neutral on the surface fitted with the spear & 18mm rubbers but I have yet to fire it underwater.

 

[azapa]

trigger mech?? did you incorporate an Omer butt + trigger or similar? Don't tell me its from scratch...?

 

[Magpie]

Well it'll certainly breakup its outline I suppose. Be interesting to see what it looks like when you're at any depth.

Does sound like a whole load of different bits has gone into it, hope they're well stuck together!

 

[deep thinker]

Very cool gun mate, not that we expected anything less from you though...

 

[RbautistaAF]

Man that has to be the coolest gun I have ever seen. Good work!

 

[foxfish]

trigger mech?? did you incorporate an Omer butt + trigger or similar? Don't tell me its from scratch...?

No the trigger is from abellan in Spain, 7mm seatek sharkfin spear and double 18mm bands, the handle was shaped from laminated hardwood.

 

[capetownguy]

looks good man!so when's it going on its first mission?

 

[alcap]

very impressive , in Italy such a result would have open a new gun's producer firm!Just a question : the track is fully enclosing the spear , and You put it in place only inserting it from the open muzzle , or not?

 

[foxfish]

Almost my friend but I cut a little from the top of the track so the spear can enter the track about 150mm back from the end.
I am building a new gun at the moment that will have the track cut back about 200mm. Here is a pic showing the heart of the guns in question.

 

[azapa]

Foxy: I wish you would stop doing this fun stuff, some of us are trying to work down here (11:43AM, work day here). It looks great. Are you trying to reduce tracking, if so you could cut some long oval slots in the ally T Bar without loosing strength. Are you going to mill a guide groove in the top of the "t"?? As that is the thickest part of the section i'm sure you could go 2 o 3mm down without weakening..

 

[foxfish]

No mate I only have basic equipment & tools, I bonded a "U" section on top of the T. I will fit the track inside the U.

 

[azapa]

When I lived in the good ol' UK and needing machining done I signed up for a night school metalwork class. Those old teachers loved it when the student turns up with some projects in mind and happily share the machines and knowledge. They were free in those days too. Now??? Just an idea. Its amazing what an angle grinder and guide or steady hand can do though..

 

[alcap]

Dear Foxfish,
thank you for the replay , and forgive me for the delay in answering.
With the new attached pictures everything is clear : but let me ask one more question about Your choices.
You renounce to a monocoque ( monoshell ? ) construcion and stiffness of the body to be facilited in the making of the enclose track , or there are other reasons for ?
Anyway , what a work!!

Alcap

 

[foxfish]

alcap, thanks for your interest.
I use the metal to make the gun very strong that way I can use lightweight materials to make the gun look nice. I have used plastic pipe to cover the metal. The gun is not heavy & is balanced very nicely.

 

[alcap]

Clear , and logic.
You matched your targets, as we alla can see from the pictures .
If You will be in Italy , around Roma , bring Your fish killer w/you and youll have a free dinner as guest of mine : I already make a couple of rough finished homemade wooden spearguns , nothing that can be @mailed , but I am thinking to a new project , and some of your skill and experience will be really appreciate.
The idea is this : an enclosed track gun that fires a really short spear , with a needle point and a very light line .
In fact , everybody says that it cannot work , for the low penetration : but , in consideration of new materials actually on the market , maybe..

 

[foxfish]

Arr Alcap from Medfish! I have just sent you a message but never mind! I would be happy to discuse your new gun. You will find a few people on this site who will be interested in your idea. If we can help we will, please keep us informed.