Big Pig
10-05-2008, 10:38 PM
Please keep in mind that the events in this short story happened before I drank any beer.
I had a very patient rig diver request a gun that shoots a 3/8 shaft. After explaining to him that I haven't made a gun like this before, he agrees to be my guinea pig. Three months later the gun is done and I figure I better test it before shipping. As I sink a target in the pool, I reflect back about three years ago when I went to test the first gun I ever built. To make a long story short, 3/4" plywood makes a terrible back stop when freeshafting. The ding is still in the wall of the pool and the shaft bent upon impact
Today I took my measurements, and assured myself that the line would not allow the shaft to hit the wall of the pool. I line up my shot and pull the trigger. I whacked the target dead center, but I don't see the shaft laying on the bottom of the pool. The shaft is embedded in the pool wall. At this point, all I want to do is hide the evidence. My wife didn't witness this event and I have 15 minutes to get cleaned up before the Bucs game. I swim over to the other end of the pool and the shaft won't come out. I grab the shaft, put my feet on the side of the pool and start to slowly wiggle it out. Luckily the shaft isn't bent, but there is a nice hole in the marsite. Oh well. Lesson learned (again) Time to have a beer.
I had a very patient rig diver request a gun that shoots a 3/8 shaft. After explaining to him that I haven't made a gun like this before, he agrees to be my guinea pig. Three months later the gun is done and I figure I better test it before shipping. As I sink a target in the pool, I reflect back about three years ago when I went to test the first gun I ever built. To make a long story short, 3/4" plywood makes a terrible back stop when freeshafting. The ding is still in the wall of the pool and the shaft bent upon impact
Today I took my measurements, and assured myself that the line would not allow the shaft to hit the wall of the pool. I line up my shot and pull the trigger. I whacked the target dead center, but I don't see the shaft laying on the bottom of the pool. The shaft is embedded in the pool wall. At this point, all I want to do is hide the evidence. My wife didn't witness this event and I have 15 minutes to get cleaned up before the Bucs game. I swim over to the other end of the pool and the shaft won't come out. I grab the shaft, put my feet on the side of the pool and start to slowly wiggle it out. Luckily the shaft isn't bent, but there is a nice hole in the marsite. Oh well. Lesson learned (again) Time to have a beer.