57" Cali Special

[blaiz]

Here is a gun I made for a friend of a friend who lives in southern california. This gun be used mainly to shoot WSB and Yellow tail in the kelp and can be powered up for some blue water action.

Specs
57"
Enclosed track with epoxy front
"rear plus" handle with cutaway
Neptonics tuna trigger with stainless handle.

3X5/8 or 4-5 x 9/16 bands with a 5/16 shaft

Gun still needs to be oiled and ballasted and then the butt pad will be added last.

And I will add some SS inserts for a reel mount.

 

[blaiz]

Here are a few more

 

[Salehthefish]

Nice Gun!! How do you tight the rubbers with this closed muzzle? I saw a post before for phil herraren on how to do it but did not find this post after then

 

[DeFishWhisperer]

Sweet gun blaiz!! Be sure to post the finished photos too!! Is that 420 craftsmanship?? A work of art none the less!!

:friday
Cheers mate!

 

[jtkwest]

NICE GUN JAKE! its a trip watching you come along with me. ,(getting better as we both go) how many is that for you? i am up to 19 guns now myself. yours are looking great! i really like the tapered barrel. i am working on that myself. i am starting out with larger stocks , so i got some room for contours. i really like checking out your guns because you use the same mechs and handles as me, so i can really relate to your stuff. it seems like every idea i have , you are simultaneously working through the same ideas, for instance, i decided recently that the whole track probably doesnt need to be epoxy graphite/pored, just the first 10 " or so is good for durability. and PRESTO!- your new gun has a front end poured- rear wood track. good stuff man! LOL i am with you! the epoxy is expensive and messy! i will tell you what, try doing the epoxy clear coats with the system 3 surf board resin. it is uv protectant. with a couple tricks i can tell you , it come out with NO bubbles at all!(phil h. told me a couple things that fixed my process) it really is the best way to protect the guns, plus the hard coating is very scratch and chip resistant. if you want it to look perfect, just do a few varnish coats on top. i love the gun. keep it up jake!

 

[jtkwest]

what is the brown stripe on the bottom of the gun, where the line anchor is? different wood?
are you using a dremel on the band slots or carving them by hand? i just got a new dremel and i dont know why i didnt buy a new one earlier. it makes it so easy . btw: due to complaints, i am only using reef triggers with auto resets now.(people want ease of use, not quality. better for me , way cheaper!

 

[jtkwest]

Nice Gun!! How do you tight the rubbers with this closed muzzle? I saw a post before for phil herraren on how to do it but did not find this post after then

just tie the bands in place. a muzzle like that ,(with no slot) is wayyyyyy stronger! if you want a thread on tying bands, do a search. they are every where. i strongly recommend every spearo learn to tie their own bands. it is very easy and much cheaper. when they stretch out, you can shorten them a little and get more use. plus recycle the wishbones etc.. trust me , do it- its very satisfying to not have to depend on anyone else.and for your guns you build: you should definately think about doing the muzzle this way too, much stronger.

 

[blaiz]

what is the brown stripe on the bottom of the gun, where the line anchor is? different wood?
are you using a dremel on the band slots or carving them by hand? i just got a new dremel and i dont know why i didnt buy a new one earlier. it makes it so easy . btw: due to complaints, i am only using reef triggers with auto resets now.(people want ease of use, not quality. better for me , way cheaper!

Ha ha, yeah the accent on the bottom is wenge. I had been working on the gun all day and wasnt paying attention and I routed the track for the epoxy on the wrong side of the gun WTF!!!! yeah...

so anyways, I decided to make use of it and spread some lead (about 3.5oz) along the track and covered it with the wenge. I figured this was better than just plugging it with teak again, plus it adds a little character.

I have been starting to play around with the epoxy coats but the guy I am making this for is a wood worker too so he wanted an oil coat, I prefer oil coats myself but have been getting some good results with epoxy.

thanks for the compliments Jason

 

[blaiz]

Nice Gun!! How do you tight the rubbers with this closed muzzle? I saw a post before for phil herraren on how to do it but did not find this post after then

You can do as Jason said and tie the bands in place. I like this method though because you are still able to take the bands out when the gun is not in use (store them in the refrigerator). Only really necessary on guns that will not be used all the time, or if your anal about taking care of your bands.

Basically you make 2 loops with a bolin or figure 8 knot, Those get tied into the band ends with the loop coming out about an inch (2.5cm or so) and then you tie the other portion of the wishbone on with a sort of half hitch or constrictor know (im not all that sure what its called but its very easy)

Here are some pics.

 

[Salehthefish]

JTKWEST thanks man for those tips. i do tight my rubbers usually i use constrictor to make that but i was asking about the way which Blaiz explained because it is easier to fit in and tight also if i want to store them easy to remove...

Blaiz Thanks a bunch my friend those pics and illustrations were so useful