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Need help. Building a gun.

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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lawstraljan16

Active Member
Jul 9, 2012
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Im interested in building my own gun out of wood. I know there is a lot of work to be done including testing but I'd love the challenge, and if by any chance it comea out good, it'll be awesome.

Id like to make it out of wood. Can anyone suggest where I can buy woof online? And what kind? Teak, iroko etc?
Ive also heard that the barrel should be in 'slices' and glued together. Any tips about that? How to do it exactly etc.

Also, any site online where I can buy the pieces and parts I need?

I was thinking of using Pathos D'Angelo II handle and just make the barrel (rollergun) Thoughts?


Thanks

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Neptonics is a good place to start shopping, good stuff and great customer service. Also try here Spearfishing-Shop.
I wouldn't start with a roller gun as a first project though, Keep it simple for a first time to feel your way then apply what you learn to your next gun. Gluing strips of wood together or Laminating will produce a more stable "blank" from which to form your gun. Have a good search on the forum and google/you tube, theres lots of good info out there!

I'll be starting my next one soon so it'll be good to compare notes.

Good luck.
 
Thanks. Ive honestly checked youtube and google all over but cant seem to find anything helpful at all. Eg. What glue to use and how many strips of wood there should be, how to place them and types of wood etc. Also measurements etc would be good.

I promise ive checked, I cant find any step to step guide, as im not very good with wood (no pun intended)

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Im looking at trigger mechanisms for the gun Im thinking to make.
Can someone explain the differences between euro, reef and tuna triggers? I know what a reverse trigger is since my pathos gun has one, but would like to know what these other are? Which is suitable for a rollergun and which is suitable for a normal double band gun?

Also, what kind or track is best? Enclosed or not?

PS: Ill be looking to make a shorter gun for winter. Most likely an 80-90cm gun for now, and if all goes well ill make a longer one for deeper, warmer water dives.



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American spears have a square notch that engages into the trigger where as the euro style is rounded. A neptonics euro reef will suit your needs. I also find that the width of the reef trigger is a good size for your center lamination so when constructing the gun you just leave a gap for the trigger saving having to cut a mortise.
 
Yep I agree although I much prefer the new generation of polyurethane glues that are available in cartridge form than the old style two part poly glues.
You can get a glue cartridge for a few £ but I prefer this one Evo-Stik Resin 'W' Polyurethane Wood Adhesive, 5000403108292
The main problem with this type of glue is the working time but if you are organised it is not a problem but a bonus! Also it is only fair to point out that poly glue must be the single most differcult material to remove from you skin ever LOL wear cloves....
Basically the more clamp pressure you can apply to poly glue the better but with epoxy you don't want to use so much.
Epoxy is also a great glue but you really need the right conditions to get the best from it.
Epoxy does not like high humidity, it needs very carful measuring & mixing & you need to understand how it works & match the mix to the wood type.
Teak for example is an oily wood that resist the epoxy from penetrating into the pours & fibres of the wood so you need to use a slow setting mix & warm the wood to get the best joint.
 
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Ok thanks guys.

What about barrel sizes?

I was thinking of a design like the C4 graphite gun but with a thicker head as such a thin design doesnt sound too strong for wood. What do you guns think?
And is there a minimum dimension about thickness?

Ill be rigging up with x2 16mm bands

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You can always mock up a gun using cheap timber. That way you can make mistakes and get a feel for the finished shape and dimentions without wasting a nice bit of timber.
 
Thanks foxfish. Ill look into them

Swaggywag: ill do that too. Ive got a design in mind. Itll kind of resemble a squid in some ways. And ill try using the twin arm system the c4 graphite uses.

Thoughts? Also, what other woods are good as teak? Iroko?

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Scallywag thanks. Look intwresting but confusing. Im not exactly sure what type of wood to use coz of all the stuff it involves like stiffness and all that other stuff. And to be honest im probably the dumbest person in the world when it comes to wood. What woods would you recommend? Sry for the annoying questions

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If cost is not a worry then Teak is the standard wood to use.
My guns have been made with Mahogony or somthing similar,I can't be sure what it was because it came from an old door frame, and beach from an old table. You don't need to spend a fortune.
 
Ill go see if a local carpenter had a few strips of teak to spare. See how much thatll cost me and ill see from there.

And would a standard track be good, or should I go for enclosed track? Ive never used a gun with an enclosed track so I have no idea what good itll do me.

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An enclosed track will reduce spear whip on high powered guns. I've never made one or shot one myself. You need a special router bit to cut it or buy one ready made. I would go for a standard open track myself.
 
Ah ok thats cool. Ill be looking to buy my parts soon. Band elevators, trigger mech etc. Once I start my project ill let you guys know.

Thanks for the help :) dont be surprised of I ask some other stuff. Im getting quite excited!

Is there a specific girth I need for a wood gun? I dont want to make a squarish barrel as im aiming for a more hydrodynamic barrel, so more of a cuttle fish design is what im looking for but I dont want the gun to be flexing when loaded with double 16mm bands (if the project goes well and finish the gun)

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Bump? Forget about the trigger mech, Ive just ordered a Meandros reverse trigger mech.

I cant seem to find any rollergun stoppers. Ive looked all over google but cant find anything. Anyone know where I can get this part from?

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