Dart Construction Techniques

From NerferWiki

Contents 1 Finding the Right Foam 2 Straightening Darts/Foam 2.1 Applying Heat 2.2 Applying Tension 3 Cutting Foam 4 Drilling/Melting/Hollowing Out the Darts 5 Finding the Right Weights 6 Gluing the Darts 7 Miscellaneous 7.1 Painting Darts

Finding the Right Foam

If you're not familiar with the different types of barrel material and how to get a good dart fit, see the Newbie Guide to Darts and Barrels.

Straightening Darts/Foam

There are many different methods of straightening your dart foam, but almost all fall in to one of two categories: applying heat, and applying tension. Applying heat, depending on the method, may puff the darts up and leave them larger and slightly more snug in your barrels. Applying tension, depending on the method, may stretch the foam out and leave it narrower, making the darts slightly looser in your barrels.

Applying Heat

Applying Tension

Cutting Foam

Drilling/Melting/Hollowing Out the Darts

Homemade darts predate barrel modifications, so darts were originally constructed to work in stock Nerf guns. In order to work, these early homemade darts were hollow just like stock Nerf darts. Now that micro darts are the most common size, and barrel modifications are the norm, homemade darts are rarely hollowed out anymore. The methods below will explain how to hollow out your darts, but understand that this is largely unnecessary.

Finding the Right Weights

Gluing the Darts

Miscellaneous

Painting Darts