Bouyancy for loclite arms

[Soloist]

Fishing net buoys are made of a hard closed cell foam and cost about 50 cents a piece each, found at most tackle shops. Just enlarge the hole for the locline and paint it whatever color you want if you don't like the look of the tan buoy.

Here's a pic of my DIY rig showing the buoys. I have since painted them black.

View attachment 524290

Can you tell if the “Spongex” floats sold on this link are the same?

Floats - Nets & More

 

[CuzzA]

Can you tell if the “Spongex” floats sold on this link are the same?

Floats - Nets & More

Those look pretty close. But without seeing them in person it's hard to say for sure. I can say they work perfect as I use them.

If you can't find them locally I bought mine from here Tarpon Fishing Outfitters - Fishing Gear and Tackle

Maybe email them my pic and they will ship them. If not I'll pick some up and ship them for you.

 

[Monbit]

Cut some pieces off of a pool noodle and duct tape the seam.

Love this setup.

How do you make the arms go three way??

 

[CuzzA]

Love this setup.

How do you make the arms go three way??

I'll assume you meant to quote me...

My design was pretty simple and cost about $50 (minus the lights and camera). Some aluminum stock, PVC pipe, silicone tape and locline. To make the dual arms you use a locline tee fitting.

The goal with my rig was to eliminate any vignette effect from not enough light and incorporate sand spikes to be able to set the rig up and swim away. Also, the 5th center light is a UV light, to excite the coral protein that makes them glow.

 

[Monbit]

I'll assume you meant to quote me...

My design was pretty simple and cost about $50 (minus the lights and camera). Some aluminum stock, PVC pipe, silicone tape and locline. To make the dual arms you use a locline tee fitting.

The goal with my rig was to eliminate any vignette effect from not enough light and incorporate sand spikes to be able to set the rig up and swim away. Also, the 5th center light is a UV light, to excite the coral protein that makes them glow.

View attachment 524475View attachment 524476View attachment 524477View attachment 524478

I can’t get enough of this setup. So unique. Ingenious.

What’s the pvc pipe for? I can’t quite see it in the pic

 

[CuzzA]

Thanks. The PVC pipe are the handles. I used pvc plugs and thru bolted them to the top and bottom aluminum flat stock. Then wrapped the pipe in silicone tape to act as a grip, but really more for aesthetics because I had it laying around.

The sand spikes are just pieces of aluminum stock. From Ace Hardware I picked up mountable 1/4x20 tee nuts and bolted them to right angle aluminum. Then put a nylon washer in between and used thumb screws to secure them to the rig. I put a nylon lock nut on the end of the thumb screw.

If you're not handy or don't want to go to the trouble of building it, you could just buy one of @MAKO Spearguns camera rigs. Admittedly I got the idea from Dano.

https://www.makospearguns.com/Two-Handle-Camera-Tray-p/m2htct.htm

 

[CuzzA]

A couple examples of my rig in action...

On this dive I carried the UV light because other divers wanted to test it.


The pool test was a bit unstable because I was dragging around a pony bottle for the test. But I was more interested in seeing how the lights performed.

 

[diversteve]

loc-line also makes a Y fitting. In both 1/2 or 3/4"

Modular hose has them
modularhose.com - Loc-Line 3/4" ID System Y's and Elbows

another useful piece for transitioning from your handles to the tubing is their fixed mount - it's a solid base you can drill a hole thru for a mounting bolt.

Loc-Line 60533 Fixed Mount

Reef Photo has both plus other pieces in black but it's more expensive.
Search Results

One of the cheaper strobe makers wrapped the bottom 3rd of their arms in a hard rubber sleeve to make handles. I've seen someone here do something similar with mountain bike grips.

 

[Monbit]

Thanks. The PVC pipe are the handles. I used pvc plugs and thru bolted them to the top and bottom aluminum flat stock. Then wrapped the pipe in silicone tape to act as a grip, but really more for aesthetics because I had it laying around.

The sand spikes are just pieces of aluminum stock. From Ace Hardware I picked up mountable 1/4x20 tee nuts and bolted them to right angle aluminum. Then put a nylon washer in between and used thumb screws to secure them to the rig. I put a nylon lock nut on the end of the thumb screw.

If you're not handy or don't want to go to the trouble of building it, you could just buy one of @MAKO Spearguns camera rigs. Admittedly I got the idea from Dano.

https://www.makospearguns.com/Two-Handle-Camera-Tray-p/m2htct.htm

You did a good job w the taping. Looks very professional. I can now see how you put it all together. Savvy.

Thanks for the share.

If I can pick your brains. Where do you find the music to your videos.

I’ve just started putting my videos together. Music selection plays a big part ..... I’m having troubles finding good ones

 

[Monbit]

loc-line also makes a Y fitting. In both 1/2 or 3/4"
View attachment 524518
Modular hose has them
modularhose.com - Loc-Line 3/4" ID System Y's and Elbows

Thanks mate.
I’m just starting to learn about lokline. Thought it was only for scuba.

I’m playing around w my setup above water at the moment. Seems like the strobes are too heavy for the arms.

In the water - is it better?