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band wear - when to replace?

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.

unirdna

tropical wuss
Sep 16, 2002
1,016
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After about 6 months of steady use on new bands, they always start to form tiny pock marks near the high-friction areas. Is this a sign to replace em, or is this normal. Being of the 'safety first' mentality, I've always taken this as a sign to put on the new ones. But the small marks don't tear or widen, so I'm left to wonder when enough is [really] enough. I don't want any bands breakin on me, but I also don't want to go replacing them if they are simply 'middle-aged'.

Any thoughts? Experience?

Ted
 

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hi

Mate that looks to be no worries I use my bands when they are in far worse shape than that. Mine have quite a few shallow slashes in them from the gun landing on coral when loaded which causes some nicks in it. But they seem to still perform fine and I have never had a band snap on me. The only time I replace then is the rubber has perished badly near the muzzle end.

cheers
 
If those pock marks strart getting deeper/larger, then I'd get a bit concerned, but my main thing is around the ties that keep the wishbones in the bands. Seeing as those ties need to be tight to keep the balls in place :hmm that area tends to chafe and blowout first.

Those stretch marks are a sign to look for something younger and fresher down the road, as all Sultan's do. ;)
 
Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, I always get small cracks near the wishbones as well. Have either of you ever had a band break while you were loading the gun. What happens exactly? Best I can put together is you might punch yourself in the chest, or the butt could slip...possibly doing some damage below the sternum or even further south :blackeye.

Turning the page....
Do ya have a favorite site or link that shows how to properly make your own bands. I've put this off for waaayyy too long. I need to start savin that money for more important matters....cigs...booze...handguns...escorts...cockfights...

Ted
 
A lot of people make it sound like when a band breaks that there's a finger or sternum crush in the offing. Maybe so, but the couple of times a band has let go on me was from either the ball slipping past the tie, which is my fault and from the nylon line getting fatigued from the stress of the tab. I've not had a band break in the rubber area- but I take care and watch them too, so maybe that's it.

I think Steve Alexander's/Bill Kitto's site has a tutorial. Punch up Steve Alexander spearguns in the search and you're set.
 
Ted,
Getting hit aint that bad, then again it depends on where you get hit. Gut shot from a broken spear tab wasn't painful just surprised me. Unlocked wrist + 5 band blue water gun + missed shot at Mahi + gun butt to the mouth = pissed off diver :vangry. Adrenaline spearfishing website shows how to tie the constrictor knot. I have yet to figure that one out. What my dive buddy taught me was to get some live bait waxed line (looks like brown dental floss on steroids) and cut off about a foot and a half length. Don't use dental floss cause it usually breaks before you can cinch down tight. Stuff the ball/knot end of your wishbone into the band then make three wraps of the line around the band. Make sure you got around a half inch of rubber sticking out past the area to be knotted. After the three wraps tie a half hitch then pull tight. The knot will slip so don't be alarmed. pull both ends of the line to opposite side of the half hitch then tie another one. Cinch down again. Repeat this a few more times and you will notice that your knots are cinched down pretty tight. You can keep this up till your satisfied but 4-6 wraps will usually do. Tie off you final knot a double square knot, trim and burn the ends of the line an viola, you should be in business. To reduce the wear on the bnads near the knot, I usually wrap a bit of black electrical tape where I tie off. It seems to prolong the life of the band. Good luck and have fun.

Brad
 
Originally posted by w3ac
Unlocked wrist + 5 band blue water gun + missed shot at Mahi + gun butt to the mouth = pissed off diver.
Brad

Good call on the floss, Brad.

I don't which would hurt more... the hello in the chops or the missed chance at a mahi. Well yeah I do. The mahi. :waterwork
 
hi

to tie my own rubbers I use what I think is called a clove hitch or something I just do it but anyway once I do that not I ALWAYS lock it up properly with two granny knots and then burn the ends of the rope and your all set.

I have never had one of my own bands snap on me but I was using my mates picasso and the wishbone snapped and gave me a hellava fright. I now stick to dyneema it saves my ungloved hands :)

cheers
 
OK, so here's what those same bands look like around the wishbones. Am I flirting with disaster here :eek: ???

Ted
 
Last edited:
I'd start looking for materials to make new ones in a month of diving or so. They're not ready to go just yet, but then too, neither are you getting 100% outta them.
 
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