Hey 9tine

[MJ1657]

How do you make the barbs on your spears? You should post some pictures of your spears here for the guys to see.

[minky]

I would be really interested to see some spear making pictures!

[9tine]

I don't have pictures of the actual spear making process. I will have to take some and post them as I do the next spears. Here are a few pictures of the spears presently.

This is a picture of the heavy weight spear head before finishing. The brazing in the barbs does not show up very well in the "white" condition.

This is a standard weight spear (6.5 lbs). The brazed barbs can be seen.

Here are the heavy (8lbs 3oz) and the standard spears. The heavy weight has a knurled copper grip section. The glare prevents a good view of the brazed barbs. These are both spears that I have used all year so they show some wear and are not as polished as when they are new. It is easy to touch up the finish at the end of the season. I will post some additional pictures of spears in progress in a week or so.

[MJ1657]

Beautiful spears 9tine. I look forward to seeing some more pictures.

[9tine]

Here is a recently finished heavy weight spear head.

here is a closeup of the brazed tines. It is two inches from the point to the back of the barb. the width of the head is 9 3/4 inches.

[MJ1657]

Very impressive.

[Gordie]

Those are sweet 9tine.

[leech~~]

Wow, I don't even spear anymore but I feel the love for those! Great work.

[minky]

Very nice!

[9tine]

Thanks for the appreciation.

[Gordie]

What type of grinder do you use do make the barbs?

I'm in the middle of a spear build with square tines and brass barbs.

[9tine]

What type of grinder do you use do make the barbs?

I'm in the middle of a spear build with square tines and brass barbs.

I use a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder with a 1/16 inch width cutting wheel first to get the rough shape, then a coarse grinding disc, then a coarse sanding disc, then I heat treat and temper, then I use a dremel tool with a fiberglass cutting disc to clean out behind the barbs, then I remove the decarb and polish with a fine Norton polishing disc. I never said it was quick.

[Gordie]

WOW, The time that goes into it shows along with the passion you have.

[eyeguy 54]

verry cool !

[Archerysniper]

I WANT ONE

[jvm1]

I WANT ONE

+1

someone needs to buy my old lowrance gps already.

[Dorkfish]

I think I will get one

[9tine]

Well, I finally have a couple pictures that should show how the tines and barbs are made.

This shows the layout of the pieces before the barb pieces are brazed or welded to the tines. Then they are shaped as I described above.

This shows the tines with the shaped barbs starting to heat up in the heat treating oven. When they reach the prooper temp for the right amount of time they are quenched and then spring tempered. After tempering, they are sanded and polished and finished.

[MJ1657]

Keep the pics coming 9tine.

[Gordie]

Nice,and I love the heat treating oven.

[MJ1657]

Hey 9tine I got to see one of your spears in person and its really nice.

What size is the shaft?

[9tine]

It's 1.04 inch O.D. 6061 aluminum.

[MJ1657]

It's 1.04 inch O.D. 6061 aluminum.

Nice. How did you learn the skill omaking spears? Are you a metal worker by trade?

[9tine]

No, I'm a research biologist by trade. I've been spearing and trying to improve spears since I was a kid. I'm 57 now, so that's a fair amount of spear trial and error. I used to spear in Lake Michigan in 20+ foot of water and was always frustrated by my spear planing or the difficult aspect of trying to compensate for the optical diffraction problems on angle shots. I enjoy metal work, so this seemed like a good use of that information. The proper heat treating aspect of steel work is what I really find interesting. Thanks for the interest.

Dave

[hillbilly...]

How long it take to make a pizza in that oven