Canadian Nerf
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide

Go down

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide Empty Homemade Silicone Dart Guide

Post  Nine Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:52 am

Well, since there's no dart making guide here I might as well post up my process.  This method could definitely be improved, but it does let me make consistent metal free darts.  

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0157_zps804a0b94

To make these darts, you will need:

Clear silicone caulking (I used GE silicone I)
Caulk gun
Felt sheets
Scissors
1/2" Foam backer rod
Hot glue gun
Hot glue
Cutting board
Drill w/ bit of desired dart size
Tape
1/2" PVC
Hack saw
Knife

Okay, to start this process we are going to need to make a mould for the dart heads.  To do this, I used my drill and a 3/8" drill bit to bore out uniform holes in my cutting board.  I used a piece of tape to mark off my drill bit at the preferred depth so that all of the heads would be roughly the same size.

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_4669_zpsf0d1f3e6

After getting your moulds prepped, go ahead and fill them with your silicone:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0136_zpsc2efcd4f

Cover those holes with your sweet pink felt and press it into the silicone with a PVC roller:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0138_zpsa9f395b9

Repeat the process for however many moulds you made and leave them to cure for at least 24 hours:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0141_zps9737a1b8

Now to make your blanks; the actual foam part of your darts:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0151_zpsa11b1742

To make these, I used a hacksaw to cut slits at 1 inch intervals along a segment of 1/2" PVC:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0146_zpsbf525046
In the future, I would recommend cutting 1.5 inch blanks for improved accuracy

Then you can use this template to cut your blanks at a uniform size with nice square ends:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0147_zpsf3169505

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0148_zps860eafc6

Throw these in a pillowcase and put them in the dryer for 6-7 mins on medium heat.  This straightens the blanks and expands them a bit to give you a better fit for springers.
(Don't think a picture is necessary for this)

Now once your dart heads are all cured and your blanks are cut and straightened, we can move on to putting these darts together.

First, you'll need to cut out your dart heads from the felt.  Then burn a hole in your foam using the tip of your hot glue gun:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0152_zpsdcd02c0b

Fill that hole with hot glue:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0153_zps74e1c418

And press a dart head into the wet hot glue, making sure it stays straight:

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_0154_zpsd42497dd

Repeat this until you've used all of your dart heads or all of your blanks

Homemade Silicone Dart Guide IMG_4668_zps396d89c6

Hopefully this helps you make some safe and reasonably durable darts.  If you're having problems with them sticking in your barrels, loading them backwards may help prevent jamming, with a bit of a sacrifice in range and the like.
Nine
Nine
Admin

Posts : 19
Join date : 2013-08-15
Location : Edmonton AB

https://www.youtube.com/user/erfnay

Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum