DIY Post your links and designs here!

[aesop]

I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread for DIY(do it yourself) links and peoples DIY designs and ideas. This way it's all in one place and it can be a sticky thread to keep it at the top of the queue.(spelling?)

Please keep your designs as straight forward and to the point as possible. Pictures make it much easier for people to understand, please post them if possible.

Many people coming into this sport don't have a contruction background or have any knowledge of mechanics. Please make step by step instructions if possible, this way we don't have a bunch of people asking a ton of questions.

Here are some links and other peoples ideas I've compiled. Some of these ideas are from DB members and they deserve credit for them. If you post someone elses ideas, please don't take credit for them. If it was taken from a DB member, please post their name so they can get credit.
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Here you can find DIY projects from spearguns to float lines.
http://spearguns.netfirms.com/

This site will tell you how to make a pole spear out of a ski pole and other stuff as well.
http://www.geocities.com/freedivespearo/bricolage.html

This link is GREAT! Some ingenious designs, from making a float out of a bodyboard to puting an open cell wetsuit on.
http://www.norcalfreedive.com/catalog/tips.php

The person responsible for this idea is Pablo, a DB member, a great design indeed. I'm posting this link because it's such an easy project, and will spare you about $50 US.
http://forums.deeperblue.net/forum108/thread49757.html

Please feel free to post any idea you think is good. There is'nt one person on DB that doesn't want to save money.

As I roam around the net and find more DIY projects, I'll post them here for you to build.


Regards,
Chris

 

[poacher]

I made a simple cheap gun from an old handle and trigger mech salvaged from a gun with a broken barrel.
I just turned down the end of a piece of 40x32 Meranti -similar to maple to fit into the end of the mech and routed a groove into it drilled the holes for the rubbers rounded the corners fitted the hardware and gaveit a quick coat of teak oil this is only a small gun 90cm but seems to work quite well.

 

[poacher]

Photo of the gun att sorry no plans just use some imagination and look at a few other guns then keep the bits you want from each design.
Peter

 

[aesop]

Looks great, good job. That's a great idea, salvage broken guns, wonder where you can buy broken guns? rofl

 

[Mr. X]

Super set of DIY projects on the Norcal site: http://www.norcalfreedive.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=tips

I like the drain pipe case!

 

[aesop]

It's a neat idea. Not something I'll be making. I'm gonna try to make mine out of a pool stick case. They have hard and soft cases for them, we'll see what happens when the actually comes along. It all depends on how long my guns is unloaded and how long they make the cases. They already have padding in them too. will probably have to modify it a bit, but that's what it's all about!

Thanks for posting the link Mr. X, it'll prove usefull for me and many others.



Cheers,

 

[deep thinker]

Check out www.freedivers.co.za , point by point emergency fixes just follow the diy link on the site. Not much but it could help someone.

 

[Hypersquid1]

how did that guy fit the handle of his gun into a PVC pipe? mind boggling....

 

[Mr. X]

how did that guy fit the handle of his gun into a PVC pipe? mind boggling....

http://www.norcalfreedive.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=tips&id=guncasepics
A good friend just gave me a length of 4" drain pipe. As the pipe is very big (4") -- the handle almost fits in the main pipe -- you only need about an extra 1 or 1.5", which is easily provided by an angle or partial angle. I do see several problems with the case though:

- 4" pipe is very big, bulky & heavy ... even without the end-cap, angle, interior-pipes, clasps & handle. It seems like overkill.

- the parts are expensive in UK hardware stores (best bet is to look for offcuts, cast offs, left overs). End caps £7 each, angle I think was around £5-£10, 2x1" was around £15 (could use cardboard tubes I suppose).

- I wouldn't even know where to start looking for those clasps in the UK. I doubt if they'd be cheap here.

Might be cheaper & better to get something like a fleece lined gun sleeve -- (might attract unwanted attention in the airport), a fancy rod bag or a RA speargun bag.

Or buy a £1 tarp. I made a really good, padded tarp bag (the perfect size)it uses bungees & webbing ties. It has bubble wrap sandwiched between the sides of the folder tarp. The design is basically that of a beefed up rod bag. I broke several needles sewing it -- it would probably be simpler to just tape it with packing/duct tape (or staple?). Reinforce the spear end & use a point protector. It does not offer as much protection but, when packed carefully into the car with fishing rods, it seems to work pretty well. I would probably add plastic tube to provide additional protection for air travel ... I think I have seen suitable tubes somewhere, maybe for golf clubs?.

 

[Huan]

I have used a piece of 2.5" pvc pipe for ages as a gun case.
I also have a spetton soft bag which is unpadded but made from very heavy nylon.
The pipe is just big enough to fit inside the bag and avoid attracting undue attention to my "fishing gear" of course in enlightened countries like Greece no-one bats an eyelid at spearguns!
I cut a slot in the pipe just wide enough for the handle to stick out.
I tape the ends up with duct tape and put a small piece of closed cell camping mattress in the end to catch any spears that might be floating around.
I have taken my Picasso Century to Greece with this setup and several spears and had no problems.
Tape the spears together and put pieces of old powerband on the tips and the rear end of the spears to avoid problems.