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First Gun Builds

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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matto2122

New Member
Sep 9, 2011
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Hey all, new to the site and speargun fabrication. I plan on building 2

I am an avid worker, with a shop full of tools and hardwoods. The wood i have planed for my first build is one gun from Burmese Teak and the other from sheoak (australian).

I've been doing a lot of research and have a few questions on the beginning portion of laminating. Everyone talks about west systems epoxy for the binding agent - there are several types of resin and hardener, which does everyone recommend?

Also I'm torn on the subject of open track and closed track. This will be a reef gun and I'm thinking of a hybrid - closed track in the rear to open track. In the open track guns I've seen on line what holds the tip of the spear on the muzzle?

Final question; what trigger mechanism is the best? I've looked at neptonics and nile tec.
 
Hello Matto and welcome on DB...

For my builds i did not use west system epoxy (I have used once Gorilla glue and on other 3 guns i used areldite epoxy and they worked good)

For the track if it is a small gun (Small will vary a bit from builder to another like less than 110 cm barrel length gun you do not have to make it closed muzzle) Since it made for adding accuracy for bigger size guns.

Usually the line holding the shaft is taking care of holding the shaft at the tip and it is more than enough.

For the mechanism i hope some one else will give you a feedback soon because i never try any of them(I have used old riffe Mech which was given from a friend of mine).

Note: You may also use a handle and insert it at the backside of the gun as a rear handle gun if it is small gun as well. There are couple of guns made by Foxfish in the same manner. Please visit the thread of DIY & Homemade

Soon you will get more answers from professional people...

All best
 
West systems seems to be the best that I have used. Prep is very important with any glue. When I laminate my blanks I scuff each laminate a bit with some 60 grit sand paper, and then wipe down with acetone. Teak has a lot of natural resins which can interfere with proper bonding.

As far as enclosed vs open I like them both. Enclosed is pretty unnecessary on anything smaller than a 110. the idea behind it is being able to power up and eliminate shaft whip which doesn't tend to be much of a problem on smaller guns.

A lot of good mechs out there. Alexander, wong, riffe, kitto, neptonics. Everyone has their own opinion as to what is best. I exclusively use neptonics mechs and love them. Simple, clean, and very reliable, and competitively priced as well. Josh has a few available, tuna which you can load up with just about as much as you dare, and a reef which is good to up to 3 bands.
 
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I did some talking with a couple of "seasoned" woodworkers/builders about the glue up material. They suggested using T88, by system three. Its a structural epoxy and is prided for use with dense hardwoods and oily woods, such as teak.


Blaize,
You didn't mention Nile Tec in your list of good mechanism, is there a reason? Right now thats the route I'm thinking i'll go. They have a bottom release mech that I think is the what i want. Let me know if there is any bad press on them. Also, who is Josh, and how do i get a hold of him if i wanted to go the neptonics route?
 
Hey blaiz, I sent him one too - I wonder if you said something similar to me?
 
If you have something about the Mech i prefer if you post it on main even if it is bad comment it is the right for everyone to be transparent and let everyone else knows about the product in the market.

All best
 
Saleh, I understand your position but what I know of nile tech is all "hear say" and a few opinions from people I have spoken to. I do not wish to create a public opinion about someone or their product due to rumors or off hand comments, its not something I would like to happen to me either. If I had experience with the mech myself I wouldn't think twice about posting my thoughts, but I don't so I won't;)

I hope you understand my position.
 
i will say this: nile tech is a new company and they are still working out the inconsistencies in their product lines.

it looks good in the pics, but its not likely to be very easy to work with.
for instance,the mech is in a wierd custom size, that you will need to buy a custom router bit to install it, or do it with a chisel.
Not well designed,
at its best, its a copy of other mechs.

what you want is a mech that will allow a self resetting line release.
so far, that is riffe, or neptonics.
riffe is MUCH more complicated to install, and costs more
neptonics installs in a 1/2" slot, so a router with a 1/2" bit is all you need.

as far as open track versus enclosed.
my suggestion is to make the open one first, since it is far less complicated
then try the enclosed one, if you still want it.
as for epoxy: there are a few good brands. system 3 is about 4 times more expensive than west sytem, so i really cant see the point in using it.
i use sytem 3 surfboard resin to do my clear coats on the finished guns.
but west sytem for everytrhing else.
the top epoxy is made by phil herannen. it is clarified and perfect.
it is sold on the neptonics website. it is super expensive.
i only use it on coatings.
one word of advice: dont do things your own way, just to prove a point or whatever. the people on here who are giving you advice have tried alot of things in the time we have been building guns. bottom line is: learn from the mistakes of others. no need to make them yourself.
btw: i did buy some nile tech stuff. i did install it. i did remove it and then replace it at my cost, since it wasnt built well.
it is now in my bin of extra stuff.
. some of their stuff may be good. maybe the trigger mech is awesome, but it definately WONT be easier to install than other brands, thats my point. plus it costs the same or more than renowned brands.

i will cap this off with one word: NEPTONICS
learn to love it. many of us do.
josh is the owner. if you go to the website, it has a link for contacting them
good luck!
 
Last edited:
If you have something about the Mech i prefer if you post it on main even if it is bad comment it is the right for everyone to be transparent and let everyone else knows about the product in the market.

All best

Saleh, I understand your position but what I know of nile tech is all "hear say" and a few opinions from people I have spoken to. I do not wish to create a public opinion about someone or their product due to rumors or off hand comments, its not something I would like to happen to me either. If I had experience with the mech myself I wouldn't think twice about posting my thoughts, but I don't so I won't;)

I hope you understand my position.

I am exactly the same as blaiz, if I could tell you any accurate reports about the trigger then I would but, all I know is "hear say" so on that basis I prefered to send a pm.
 
You guys are all great, and full of exceptional advice!

The system three epoxy i purchased was only $18, which was enough for me to laminate 2 guns with (5) 3/16" thick boards. Plus it was just down the street to pickup:)

JTK,
Great advice on everything. My plan is to make a few guns and try different things to see what I personaly like best. I see youre from Key West, we spend a lot of time down your way, on Big Coppitt. Love me some Hog Fish. What setup do you personally use down there?
 
+1 for Neptonics. Not only are they top quality mechs, but Josh produces a wide variety to suit different builds. For example, the Reef mech is available for square or Euro notch shafts, with standard side line release, or with an auto-resetting line release. It really is worth a call to Josh if you aren't quite sure what might be best for your build.
 
You guys are all great, and full of exceptional advice!

The system three epoxy i purchased was only $18, which was enough for me to laminate 2 guns with (5) 3/16" thick boards. Plus it was just down the street to pickup:)

JTK,
Great advice on everything. My plan is to make a few guns and try different things to see what I personaly like best. I see youre from Key West, we spend a lot of time down your way, on Big Coppitt. Love me some Hog Fish. What setup do you personally use down there?

depends where we are going and what we are shooting.
i have 3 main guns i use .
one is a 52"overall gun with 46" from muzzle to trigger mech.
it is an open rail that is very deep. mid handle
i shoot 57" x 7.5mm wong flopper spears in that one. 2 x 5/8" bands
i use it for the gulf and the reef and all patch reef type stuff.

the other is an enclosed track 61" overall with 54" from muzzle to mech
it shoots a 65" x7.5mm riffe flopper spear. 2 (sometimes 3) 5/8 bands
mid handle(of course)
this gun is for the bar (deep reef)

the 3rd is the big boy.
60" overall, 52" from muzzle to mech
4 bands -5/8" shoots an 8mm x60" with a riffe icepick
fully enclosed track/ tuna trigger mech
hold on tight to this one!

plus various other stuff, like a 2 shot gun(over under)
 
How accurate your enclosed track compare to the open ones? I'm in the process of building a 65" 5/16 with an ice pick still debating on wichi route to go.
 
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