I'ma n00b...but I can't seem to find a good step-by-step

[surfer349]

Hey,

So flame me if this is dumb, but I can't seem to find a good step-by-step general thread for making a wood gun. The sticky has a bunch of links do other people's gun threads, but they are more of general pictures and not really the information. Maybe the mods could do a general write-up and sticky it? Like a general flow-chart/how-to for making a wooden gun...?

So anyway, if yall could help me fill in the missing info, that would be awesome. At the moment, I've got 6 or 7 planks of KOA wood, most of them over 7-8 feet long. I figure I've got enough to make blanks for at least 3 guns. I want to at least make a short hole-gun and a long big fish gun.

so here goes:

1. Designing the blank: I haven't really seen any discussion on why to choose different layouts for the individual pieces. Why a t-bar shape over all the same way? What about general cross-section measurements for what size gun to make? Like how fat/wide should a blank be for a short gun? a long gun?

2. Creating the blank: any consensus on the best epoxy to glue it all together? What about consensus on putting on the vice grips? Apply directly? use scrap to distribute the pressure?

3. Planing/squaring the blank: no real questions here.

4. Track: I've seen a bunch of posts about putting a graphite track, but no one posts about what brand or stuff they actually use. What's the story here?

5. Pairing spear/trigger mech: Again, no real info, just pics of the final product. Is there an industry standard across all this? Like will most shafts click into most mechs?

6. Rubber attachment: I've seen pics of the big holes drilled in the nose and the little cut to let the wishbone through. What's the big difference?

7. Ballasting/weighting: is this pretty much just a trial and error?

8. Final coating: no questions here. I guess everyone votes for Heranen's stuff.

anyway, I figure its better to share knowledge rather than let us all make the same mistakes.

[deepdestroyer]

The search function is a wonderful thing lol.


this should get you started.
http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=55829
http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=101273

[thereefgeek]

I read a saying once that went something like "If it was easy, old ladies and kids would be doing it."

Also read someone say "Use the f**kin' [search] button".

Everything you've asked about has been covered to death at one time or another either in the sticky or in individual build threads. Just gotta' read a little more......

[deepdestroyer]

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

Also read someone say "Use the f**kin' [search] button".

You mean other people say that too? I thought you had that saying patented or something...

[iamasalmon]

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

I read a saying once that went something like "If it was easy, old ladies and kids would be doing it."

Also read someone say "Use the f**kin' [search] button".

Everything you've asked about has been covered to death at one time or another either in the sticky or in individual build threads. Just gotta' read a little more......

I just finished a 50" mid handle and every question I had was answered at least a couple of times. You will not find all the answers on one thread.

I think the problem here is that using computer search terms is not intuitive, and some are better practiced at searching than others (yes, its a skill you hone)

for example:
dont type
"how deep should i make the track for an open track gun with a 5/16" shaft that is 50" long?"
Too many key words and you will get meaningless search results!

instead, type:
"shaft track deep depth"
and see if that gives you meaningful results. You want to use the FEWEST keywords that you think will pull the threads you want. If you get too many hits, then narrow your search down by adding one word a at a time.

Keep in mind that many of these threads are long and go on tangents all the time (many times, its the tangent that has the info you want) and you may have to read through pages and pages and pages to get your answer.

To address your step by step request: I've found home gun building to be a unique and fantastic art form. Part of the therapy for me is sitting down and trying to solve a problem with the tools and experience I have. When 10 home-jobbers are approached with the same problem, you will find 10 solutions, each as unique as the builder you asked. If everyone followed a step by step, all the guns would look more or less the same and some of the art would be lost.

A wise man on SB once said "There are no mistakes in gun building... only shorter guns!"

Have fun!

[surfer349]

so I think my question got lost. I said that I've looked at all the examples, in fact book marked and printed them all out. However, I'm looking for more discussion and pros/cons on the different choices through out the process and more of a general step-by-step flow process line of what to do.

Most of the threads simply have a few pics of the start, then pics of the final process. These are all specific to that exact gun that person is making, rather than having a stickied thread at the top with general info on making guns. There's not much about dimensions of blanks related to length. Not much on choosing shafts and trigger mech's together. Not much on brands of epoxy to use for laminating. Hell, the only solid info I found was Herrnanen's post about his special clear coat coating for the final product.

[iamasalmon]

Originally Posted by surfer349

There's not much about dimensions of blanks related to length. Not much on choosing shafts and trigger mech's together. Not much on brands of epoxy to use for laminating. Hell, the only solid info I found was Herrnanen's post about his special clear coat coating for the final product.

I agree with you on the blank dimensions... I had trouble finding info as well... It just has to be big enough not to snap. I've seen widths range from 1.5" to almost 3". Look around at guns that you like and borrow dimensions. I'm going 2x2 on my current gun, but will prolly plane it down and taper it.

Shafts and mechs: i found that you have to pair shafts and mechs the first time I had two guns side by side (whoa, that's a fat shaft). Playin around with different guns can help you there as well.

Epoxy: has for sure been covered to death. There is even a current thread that I think many are avoiding cause it's been covered.

As for a step-by-step, it would be a fantastic contribution to SB (I did my version of that, but many details are missing or it would be a very long post) Feel free to improve the gun building forum any way you see fit!

[Gary H]

I like to think that I laid this thread out pretty well for a step-by-step:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=93057

Here's another that shows how to cut the line guide:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=98587

Here's a detail regarding pouring a track with materials listed:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=120520

And this is probably the most referenced step-by-step guide on the board:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=55829

Most of the guys building guns have pretty extensive woodworking experience before they start one. What you are going to see is different people using the tools they have available - you will have to adjust how you do things based on the tools you have access and experience with.

[troutbum24]

Check out speargunsbygil on youtube!!! He is the man super helpful!