Stefan (dart)
From NerferWiki
This article was imported from NerfHQ.
Homemade darts made with foam (Usually with a foam backer rod) , hot glue and some type of weights, common weights are ball bearings or fishing weights.
Generalized Construction Method
1. Cut foam to uniform lengths
2. Straighten foam with heat, either by using a Hair Dryer or Drying Machine.
3. Add weights (BBs, Fishing Weights, or Washers)
4. Cover weight to prevent damage/injury (Hot Glue, more FBR, Plastidip, Felt Pads)
Dart Making Guides:
Mother Of All Dart Making Tutorials
Unholy3's Guide to Dart making
Sizes
NOTE: Keep in mind that Foam Backer Rod size are NOT fractionally precise and will require barrels that are .010 to .040 inches larger in diameter than the listed size of the foam. For a list of barrel materials see the Barrel Material page.
Nano - 3/8" Foam Backer Rod
Micro - 1/2" Foam Backer Rod
Mega - 5/8" Foam Backer Rod
Jumbo - 3/4" Foam Backer Rod
Mongo - 1" Foam Backer Rod
Variations
Hot Glue Dome
Traditional construction method used by most Nerfers involves burning a hole in the end of a length of foam backer rod, adhering a weight inside, then covering it with a dome of hot glue.
Concept originally proposed by Stefan Mohr
Matchstick Stefans
Involves dipping the ends of the darts in Plasti-Dip as a substitute for Hot Glue. Either to create domes or to completely cover the ends of the darts. Reference
Felt + Washer Stefans
Steel washers are used in place of the traditional BBs or fishing weights in an effort to reduce cost and effort required to make uniform darts. Felt discs are used to cover the exposed side of the washers and make it easier to make more consistently performing darts since there is no need to worry about creating uniform hot glue domes. Weights can alternatively be adhered using the "Liquid Nails" adhesive if access to Hot Glue is unavailable. Although darts made with that adhesive may have a shorter usable life.
Concept originally proposed by CaptainSlug
Captain Slug's Write-up part 1
