Broken line release options

[HomeBrew]

Hi, first I would like to say what a great forum this is!
I have a Omer Excalibur 60, its my first gun. I managed to snap off the line release, which was made of plastic! I have tried glueing it back on but it didnt last two seconds.
Is it possible for me to buy or make a new part (from metal) take the gun apart and fix this? I think undoing the casing of the trigger mechanism would be a PITA. Is it possible or would I probably ruin my gun.
If i buy a reel and fit it, will it still work and be accurate, without any shooting line around the line release, the spear taking line directly from the reel?
Do you have a better idea?

Thank you so much,
Josh

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello there, My Recommendation on this first contact Omer website and take their advice on how to repair that line release and if there is no chance to repair it still it is very easy to buy the full handle and fix it there instead. If you want to play around with your Mechanism you may and you can make the same as metal but you have to take in mind that the piece will not be very heavy because it will affect the balance and the buoyancy... All best

 

[HomeBrew]

Hi, thank you for you reply Salehthefish. I have tried phoning the omersub website and nobody answers
Could you explain in more detail when you say buy the full handle and fix it there? I don't quite understand.
Yeah it is a small part hopefully if made of metal it should not make the gun sink!
Do you know how to split the handle open? Maybe I will post this in the euro guns board aswell, they might know have some more ideas.
Josh

 

[azapa]

I recommend you replace that pin with a stainless cap head and locknut, and under that, on the left had side, you fasten a little strip of stainless (about 1cm wide by 3 long) to act as a line release. You could even bend back and forwards at different points in a vice to get the corrugated effect.

See here about replacing the pin with a bolt:

http://forums.deeperblue.com/freedive-photography/89202-gopro-omer-speargun-mount.html

 

[HomeBrew]

Ok, so the strip of stainless would bend forwards and release the line when the spears force pulls it? Sounds good.
You seem to have that omer rigged so that the line comes directly from the spear to the reel though. Couldn't I just do that too?

 

[azapa]

No mate, the reel never keeps tension alone, otherwise the spear would tug at the reel and that friction would slow it down and it would drop like crazy. In any case you use a line release, the first wrap of line should just "fall away" allowing the spear to fly true before the reel kicks in.

To be honest those "clip" or line pinch type line releases are not that good, as the pressure with which the line is pinched at is never consistent shot to shot, therefor your spear will fly different shot to shot.

 

[HomeBrew]

Ok thank you azapa, yes i can see having no shooing line would mess up the shot.
The clip or pinch line release you are talking about is the one thats left, made of plastic and still on the gun, forward of the hole, that looks like jaws? yeah I have tried using that, its very difficult to load, especially in water and the line often pulls out anyway.
Thanks for bearing with me, this is the kind of conversation that is better face to face with the gun in our hands.
So the strip of steel would bend forward, releasing the line as soon as the spear pulls on it, yes? Can i just attach the strip to the two plastic holes where the reel would go, and save drilling my gun? I only need about 4 wraps of shooting line, finished off tied to the end of the gun.
I hope this makes sense. Josh

 

[azapa]

Indeed it would be easier gun-in-hand!

Is it that you had a proper (spear or trigger operated) line release and that has broken leaving the alligator thingy only as an option?
or is it, that your alligator thingy broke?

 

[HomeBrew]

Yes thats exactly what happened, I had a proper line release that flicked up when the trigger was pulled, dumping the shooting line. But I managed to snap it off so now there is nowhere to attach the shooting line- that plastic jaw thing is useless.
the picture shows the hole that the line release came out of on the underside of the gun.
it pivoted around that metal pin which you can just about see. it snapped where the pin when through it. It should have been made of metal. the lighter coloured stuff above and below the steel pin are the remains of the line release mechanism (plastic)
I dont know why but i always manage to break something like this :head

 

[azapa]

ah, ok. you have exactly 4 options. Here they are:
1. buy new gun, with metal bits
2. buy new plastic line release spare (google, spend hours on italian websites, but know IT IS available)
3. make your own metal piece to replace plastic one
4. use alligator

I like the sound of 3.

 

[HomeBrew]

yeah i like the sound of 3 too! I'm going to make this thing STRONG. how do i open the handle casing, I see two plastic pins, Do I just drive them out and it will pop open?

 

[spaghetti]

I can see 3 options:
1) get a new trigger unit for £11.50 here: https://www.apnea.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1_17_37&products_id=1144
2) disassemble the present trigger unit and make a DYI line release hook.
3) use an elastic as line release. A normal office elastic around the barrel near the handle. That will keep the spearline firm.

 

[HomeBrew]

Nice link spaghetti.
I have taken the trigger mechanism apart. All this fuss, I really wish omer would have made this piece out of steel. Its bad engineering. These guns are expensive enough to have a tiny bit of steel in them aren't they?! Well I would love to make a new steel bit up, but right now just buying an new trigger mech for £11.50 seems the easy option.
OMER T20 Line Release Upgrade Kit, Line Releases - ScubasWorld
found this, but i don't think it would fit my gun.
Oh they also have this for $4.00
OMER Excalibur Line Release, Line Releases - ScubasWorld
Best idea is to buy 2 or three of those i think.
Josh

 

[azapa]

Josh. Spearing (and even pure freediving) has a lot of DIY and experimenting involved. Make the piece yourself. A gun shoots better with the owners love and sweat built in.

 

[jtkwest]

Josh. Spearing (and even pure freediving) has a lot of DIY and experimenting involved. Make the piece yourself. A gun shoots better with the owners love and sweat built in.

truer word were never spoke. i agree fully with this. the most fulfilling thing is to make your own gun, then take a trophy fish with it.(the wahoo in this pic. was taken with a homade gun built by me on its first day ever used!) but until then, next time you buy a gun just remember this saying- a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. and that is why i dont like plastic components on spearguns. no amtter how goood the rest of the gun is- when that plastic piece breaks- the whole gun is useless. especially in terms of the line release / which seems to be the achilles heel of most (if not all) euro guns with alot of plastic in them. you are right - they could have made that piece out of metal for a few pennies, but they didnt, and thats why you shoulnt buy them in my opinion. the more people buy those toys, the more they feel justified using plastic in them. use your ultimate vote_=$$ to force them to ante up. just stop buying them and they will make better guns to compete. keep buying them and pretty soon the whole gun will be made of plastic from china.if the plastic guns start, out- selling the wood guns with all metal components, pretty soon the good gun builders will start adding more and more plastic, till all guns look like an omer excalliber or a hammerhead(those things are seriously junk!) omer actually makes some fine guns. but their bottom lines are toys at best. the price relects that i guess, so you get what you pay for with omer. (like most things i guess)

 

[HomeBrew]

Yes, and if I buy the spare parts, it would only supporting the dodgy craftsmanship since Omer will be making a profit the spares as well. I will make it. I hunt with shotguns and there is no way I would accept a shotgun with trigger mechanism, key parts etc made from plastic, and a speargun is no different. Buying cheap guns doesn't pay in the long run I guess. This gun was a chrismas present anyway.
For my next gun I am thinking about Totemsub guns, they look quality. Totemsub pelagos twin
or maybe I will make my own. I enjoy that kind of thing, just finished making a longbow
Thanks for your advice guys. I will take pride in my weapon!
Josh

P.S. That is a great fish, and a great looking gun.

 

[Salehthefish]

I like option 3 of spagetti very easy & practical never thought of!!!
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