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Florida Gulfcoast Spearfishing Post here to discuss regional action or issues about spearing on Florida's Gulfcoast. |
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03-09-2019, 06:28 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
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Bringing an old Biller back to life?
My neighbor's friend had an old 54" Biller sitting in the garage and for $75, it and a couple shafts are now sitting in my garage.
I broke down the gun. The wood is straight and everything appeared to be in working order, but I want to ensure it is safe and operational before putting it into service. So I have a few questions. Obviously the wood needs to be lightly sanded and refinished. Anyone have a good finish they can suggest? I have not pulled the trigger mech as I'm unsure how the safety is installed which appears to be holding it in place. It looks like a simple pin but rust is concealing it enough that I don't want to go hammering on it only to break something. How do I pull the mech? Finally, I want to put a commercial Sea Hornet muzzle on the gun. Kill spike? Spare shaft holders? Anyone know where I can source parts? Bruington? I'm not sure what approach I'll take with the gun, might set it up as a straight free shaft gun like my Rhino or maybe I'll make it a line gun. Anyway, drop some knowledge on me. |
03-09-2019, 10:12 PM | #2 |
Retired Comm. Shooter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Largo, Florida
Posts: 5,140
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Best to bring it to me and let me check it out. Does the gun have an original Sea Hornet grip or a Biller grip? I have a few Sea Hornet parts left over. I can check the trigger mech and install everything you mentioned above.
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Ocean Rhino Spearguns: Designed & Built By Commercial Spearfishermen Manufactured By: Spearfishing Specialties (727)-548-7686 E-mail: oceanrhino@gmail.com Web: OceanRhino.com |
03-09-2019, 10:18 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
All Biller parts. I'll swing by. Thanks Kevin. Sending pm.
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03-10-2019, 05:16 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: West Coast FL
Posts: 604
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Check out those new guns he has James! The teak is beautiful! Really something to see. I got to see the original rails when Kevin brought them back from the yard they had been sitting in for well over a decade. Amazing to see what the rails have become. Real treasure of a gun to get the opportunity to own.
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03-10-2019, 06:05 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
The Windsong guns are gorgeous. Kevin will be sharing the story soon.
I went by the Ocean Rhino shop today and he turned the gun into a free shafting machine. I still need to give the teak some TLC and make a couple mods, but the gun is back from the dead and I'm looking forward to slangin' some steel with it. I'll post some pics when I'm done. Kevin has been busy since the last time I was there. He continues to improve on the Rhino design and anyone looking for a new gun will be happy with their purchase, especially that Windsong. Also, I'm sorry to hear about a fellow diver's death. I know some of our fellow board members were involved in the incident. My thoughts are with you guys and Kim's family. |
03-10-2019, 06:46 PM | #6 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Port Richey FL
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Quote:
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03-10-2019, 07:06 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: West Coast FL
Posts: 604
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-c...ion/1838037398
This is the news clip on Kimberly Houtz who passed away yesterday. That's all I know of it. |
03-10-2019, 08:00 PM | #8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
The sheriff's office originally posted that there was a gear issue pre dive.
Below is a post from another board who heard the radio call on the water. It sounds like the crew did everything they could, including administering o2 and CPR. Sucks. Quote:
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03-10-2019, 09:59 PM | #9 |
Retired Comm. Shooter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Largo, Florida
Posts: 5,140
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Very sad news.
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Ocean Rhino Spearguns: Designed & Built By Commercial Spearfishermen Manufactured By: Spearfishing Specialties (727)-548-7686 E-mail: oceanrhino@gmail.com Web: OceanRhino.com |
03-25-2019, 03:35 PM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
So after a visit to Kevin at Spearfishing Specialties for a new muzzle, spare shaft holders, and some of my own TLC and mods, this teak beauty is back from the dead and ready to slang some steel. 😎 I still have a few adjustments to make. A couple standoffs for the forward shaft holders. Might add a simple single wrap line kit, but I rarely line shaft. 👊
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03-25-2019, 04:03 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: North Miami, Florida
Age: 58
Posts: 2,868
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Awesome!
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Marco A bad day fishing is ALWAYS better than a good day at work |
03-25-2019, 05:53 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Port Charlotte Fl
Age: 76
Posts: 2,480
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Whats that in front of the trigger...two power heads?
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03-25-2019, 06:18 PM | #13 |
Naval gazer extraordinair
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 42,214
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
Get the quick change over kit. It's worth it as you never know...
For example, I didn't have one and we got a big fish show as we were slowly leaving a wreck area surrounded by sand that was conducive to a freeshaft only gun. I was still suited and the capt'n asked if anyone was ready to drop. I looked at the finder and said hell yea. We were in 105'. I was met by AJ's at ~40'. They came to greet me and show me where the rest of the fish were. I followed them back to the mother ship which was a GIANT Southern Atlantic sting ray. Practically everything that inhabits the area was following it as it cruised along the bottom, including some monster Cobia. Suffice to say, I would've had one of those ~80lb Cobia had I had this gear. Also, this reminds me of another monster Cobia I lost at the Air Force tower in the crook of the Panhandle. Always check your line crimps yourself. A well known gun rigger put that one on and I didn't second guess it...'plink' it went after making a solid shot and grabbed a hold of my face mask to keep it from coming off my face in the coming run. The switch over is also nice to have for the unexpected AJ's even though they are easier to kill than the Cobes. Edit: Oh, BTW, looks great!
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“If the natural tendencies of mankind are so bad that it is not safe to permit people to be free, how is it that the tendencies of these organizers are always good? Do not the legislators and their appointed agents also belong to the human race? Or do they believe that they themselves are made of a finer clay than the rest of mankind?” ― Frederic Bastiat, The Law |
03-25-2019, 07:44 PM | #14 |
Retired Comm. Shooter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Largo, Florida
Posts: 5,140
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
[quote=CuzzA;2184279]So after a visit to Kevin at Spearfishing Specialties for a new muzzle, spare shaft holders, and some of my own TLC and mods, this teak beauty is back from the dead and ready to slang some steel. 😎 I still have a few adjustments to make. A couple standoffs for the forward shaft holders. Might add a simple single wrap line kit, but I rarely line shaft. 👊
I can make those front standoffs for you.....just let me know how thick you need em.
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Ocean Rhino Spearguns: Designed & Built By Commercial Spearfishermen Manufactured By: Spearfishing Specialties (727)-548-7686 E-mail: oceanrhino@gmail.com Web: OceanRhino.com |
03-25-2019, 09:15 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Palm Harbor, FL
Posts: 953
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Re: Bringing an old Biller back to life?
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