Yes and no. For blasters that shoot under 60ft, they don't perform as well as single bb weighted stefans. But they work much better in higher-powered blasters (90ft+) than bb weighted stefans. I would rather err on the side of using too much weight than using too little.One other thought: I haven’t used ¼” slingshot weights much at all, but isn’t that too much weight for lower-ranged springers?
#26
Posted 22 July 2009 - 12:35 PM
#27
Posted 22 July 2009 - 12:38 PM
#28
Posted 22 July 2009 - 01:25 PM
Foam: Dennis brand grey foam
Stretching/Heating (diameter): Straightening in dryer, no major diameter changes.
Length: 1.25"
Weight: 1/4" slingshot ammo
Dome: Hot glue dome, Ryan's style
#29
Posted 22 July 2009 - 01:37 PM
Minus the slingshot ammo, thats already the EXACT dart I make, so that change won't be hard to make.I think it may be worth making a test batch this weekend so that everyone can use them for a bit. So far the consensus seems to be:
Foam: Dennis brand grey foam
Stretching/Heating (diameter): Straightening in dryer, no major diameter changes.
Length: 1.25"
Weight: 1/4" slingshot ammo
Dome: Hot glue dome, Ryan's style
Venom: Haven't we all?
#30
Posted 22 July 2009 - 01:45 PM
Just some random thoughts. Not sure about heavy darts for a few reasons:Yes and no. For blasters that shoot under 60ft, they don't perform as well as single bb weighted stefans. But they work much better in higher-powered blasters (90ft+) than bb weighted stefans. I would rather err on the side of using too much weight than using too little.One other thought: I haven’t used ¼” slingshot weights much at all, but isn’t that too much weight for lower-ranged springers?
1) It means that high-powered blasters (SM1500s, 4Bs, +Bows) wouldn’t take a performance hit, but lower powered ones (primarily springers) would. I lose about 10’ with heavy darts. And like SM1500s need another advantage on the field.
2) It would inadvertently advance the “arms race”. By standardizing on ammo that performs best in high powered guns, it encourages the use of high powered guns. Longer range = more standoffs = less people wanting to charge and take hits, because
3) ¼” slingshot ammo stefans are heavy, and tend to bruise, rather than welt.
I know the idea is to standardize on one dart type, but I really don’t think that there’s an equitable way to do that. As an idea, perhaps it would be better to make two or three weight classes of darts, and then color code the ends like how Ryan’s been doing it. As much as I like the idea of one type of dart, I really don’t think that differing gun performance makes that feasible.
#31
Posted 22 July 2009 - 02:12 PM
Perhaps then, we should make two types of darts:
-long range 1.25" long, 1/4" slingshot weighted (for +bows, SM1.5ks, 4Bs, SM5ks, etc..)
-Shorter range 1.25" long, 1 BB or 3/16" bearing (for BBBs, NFs, Mavs, etc..)
I'm thinking that just different sharpie marks on the back would be enough to differentiate the two, or even using colored hot glue for one and clear for the other.
*Also this would allow us that already make the second type not have to do anything differently.
Edited by atomatron, 22 July 2009 - 02:15 PM.
Rainbow Clan
#32
Posted 22 July 2009 - 02:34 PM
MOAR SHIELDS AND CROSSFIRE BUCKLERS. At least, I was telling myself that every time Scott shot me with the +bow at Chicago Showdown.
Seriously though, what started as a way for nerfers to pool communal darts need not become a constructing darts in multiple piles and... calibers? Because that's what that suggestion sounds like. We all end up throwing whatever's nearest in our barrels anyway when we're in the thick of it, so how about everyone get together and pool the tools and resources, but make your dart tips as you see fit? Standardization would be nice, but our blasters aren't exactly standardized either?
#33
Posted 22 July 2009 - 03:44 PM
CS darts are the way to go. They work well in both high powered and lower powered blasters, and are super cheap and easy to make. and I'm sure we could think of an easy way to dye the felt tips a bright color so that they are easy to find on the ground.
Edited by sam, 22 July 2009 - 03:45 PM.
#34
Posted 22 July 2009 - 03:55 PM
For Communist darts, I tend to agree. It also removes the issue of the glue dome and the relative skill of the dartmaker (and I say this as someone who just doesn't make domes.)Have two different types of darts is kind of counter productive i think.
CS darts are the way to go. They work well in both high powered and lower powered blasters, and are super cheap and easy to make. and I'm sure we could think of an easy way to dye the felt tips a bright color so that they are easy to find on the ground.
#35
Posted 22 July 2009 - 03:56 PM
#36
Posted 22 July 2009 - 07:01 PM
#37
Posted 22 July 2009 - 07:20 PM
If anyone knows where I can get flourescent acrylic that isn't super-expensive or has-ridiculously-short-lifespan then that would be awesome.
Kruger and Dunning (1999)
#38
Posted 22 July 2009 - 07:24 PM
1 bb
2 bb
1/4" weight
Washer
I think that we will find that they all perform very similarly.
I like this idea of painting the back of the darts. It defeats my main reservation about grey foam -- namely, that it is hard to see in grass.
Edited by Daniel Beaver, 22 July 2009 - 07:25 PM.
#39
Posted 22 July 2009 - 07:25 PM
#40
Posted 22 July 2009 - 07:32 PM
Why not try 3/0 fishing weights if you want something lighter than 1/4" slingshot BB's but heavier than standard copper-coated BB's?
I was thinking the same. I currently use BBs (one) but I was thinking of switching over and trying the 3/0 fishing weights.
Also, I think the 3/0 weights are more economical than the 1/4" slingshot, which are pretty expensive compared to other weights, if I recall.
#42
Posted 22 July 2009 - 07:54 PM
True Communism never lasts very long, eh, Comrade?I executive veto the idea of having two dart types.
No worries. At best, there won't be a performance difference. At worst, I won't use them. Unless you're talking about disallowing other dart types in Minnesota....
Oh, and thanks for that link, Tatum. That's the weight I use, and I've been trying to find them in bulk.
Edited by Carbon, 22 July 2009 - 07:55 PM.
#43
Posted 22 July 2009 - 09:22 PM
Kruger and Dunning (1999)
#44
Posted 22 July 2009 - 11:16 PM
Don't worry. Last weekend, we thoroughly berated Carbon's darts as everything else can be picked up by magnets. Even copper bbs. Either that, or its the metal flakes in the glue.But you can't pick up lead weights with a magnet! Dammit Carbon, switch to slingshot weights so dart sweeps become infinitely easier.
Venom: Haven't we all?
#45
Posted 22 July 2009 - 11:17 PM
Hey, the way I see it, you guys pick up all your darts with the magnets. Everything left over is mine.Don't worry. Last weekend, we thoroughly berated Carbon's darts as everything else can be picked up by magnets. Even copper bbs. Either that, or its the metal flakes in the glue.But you can't pick up lead weights with a magnet! Dammit Carbon, switch to slingshot weights so dart sweeps become infinitely easier.
#46
Posted 23 July 2009 - 10:58 AM
Nah, I suspect that several people will keep using their own darts.At worst, I won't use them. Unless you're talking about disallowing other dart types in Minnesota....
I'll pick up some 3/0 fishing weights today and make a few darts with them as well.
#47
Posted 23 July 2009 - 12:16 PM
#48
Posted 23 July 2009 - 07:17 PM
Anyways, the jist of it was: I tested a NF, 3B and 4B with a batch of darts I made with the various weights listed above. Here are my thoughts:
1 bb: Sucks, crappy ranges even from weak blasters
Slug darts: Work pretty well, but definitely a 10'-15' performance drop from the 4B.
Slug darts + 1 bb
3/0 fishing weights
1/4 slingshot ammo
2 bb:
All of these perform roughly on par -- I couldn't tell you which was better than the other.
Using Dennis brand foam, bb darts would cost roughly 2¢, 3/0 and 1/4 darts would cost 3¢, and slug darts would cost 4¢. I personally don’t care about cost. I would gladly pay for all the materials if it meant that I didn’t have to spend so damn much time making darts.
I like these Slug+bb darts. The ease of consistent construction is appealing to me, especially with regards to mass dart construction. Hot glue domes are hard to make properly and poorly made domes significantly affect accuracy. If we used Slug+bb darts, consistency would be ensured.
Edited by Daniel Beaver, 23 July 2009 - 07:17 PM.
#49
Posted 24 July 2009 - 02:11 PM
As you can see the main choice is SwiFTNerf Foam. However the black (Log Home Shit) and the Gray (ACE brand) are popular as well.
A few weeks before the war, we gather and usually make darts for 4 hours straight or untill we run out of supplies. The black foam (once a 100 foot coil) has lasted 3 wars now between 5 people.
#50
Posted 24 July 2009 - 07:42 PM
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