10 replies to this topic

[Droid31]

I'm making 2.5 inch long darts with silicone domes, but I worry the silicone might not be heavy enough, so has anyone tried putting a bb or somthing in the silicone?

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Edited by Droid31, 11 June 2014 - 11:39 PM.

[Thorn]

im making 2.5 inch long darts with silicone domes, but i worry the silicone might not be heavy enough, so has anyone tried putting a bb or somthing in the silicone?

Although you could weight it with a bb or whatnot, that defeats the whole purpose of what kane is trying to do, which is make metal free, safer darts. Assuming that you are using them in a modified EAT from your previous threads, the silicone domes should be plenty heavy, considering that they hold their own in homemade blasters. However, if you are shooting them in a modified titan or whatnot, it is likely that they would fishtail. However, that could also likely be avoided by using a long telescopic barrel. To sum it up, if you want to use metal, you might as well make glue domes or slugs.

[Droid31]

Although you could weight it with a bb or whatnot, that defeats the whole purpose of what kane is trying to do, which is make metal free, safer darts. Assuming that you are using them in a modified EAT from your previous threads, the silicone domes should be plenty heavy, considering that they hold their own in homemade blasters. However, if you are shooting them in a modified titan or whatnot, it is likely that they would fishtail. However, that could also likely be avoided by using a long telescopic barrel. To sum it up, if you want to use metal, you might as well make glue domes or slugs.

Yes I am useing them in the EAT, and thank for the info

Edited by Droid31, 11 June 2014 - 11:40 PM.

[Kronos Nerf Mods]

Not trying to spark another slugs vs. silidomes debate, but I think that weighted silicone domes are a good idea.
1. First metal darts aren't that dangerous. Obviously there are scenarios where people have been hurt by them, but as long as they are used responsibly, there shouldn't be too many problems.
2. Adding weight is good, as silicone domes sometimes do have problems with fishtailing.
3. Silicone domes are softer and hurt less than hot glue, and they are more aerodynamic than slugs (also not really dangerous).
Again feel free to disagree, but I think it's a good idea, and can't hurt giving it a try.

Edited by Kronos Nerf Mods, 11 June 2014 - 07:39 PM.

[Jacob Melanson]

When the dart hits anything even remotely hard, the BB will rip through the silicone. I've tried it, and the BB goes straight through cardboard. Not a good idea.

[KaneTheMediocre]

Silicone is unfortunately not tough enough to handle a bb.

I've tried to add weight and magnetism with iron powder, but mixing it into the silicone is very difficult. I'd still want to keep all the outer silicone pure, but dense material is really helpful when making a weight stabilized projectile.

[Draconis]

I've tried to add weight and magnetism with iron powder, but mixing it into the silicone is very difficult. I'd still want to keep all the outer silicone pure, but dense material is really helpful when making a weight stabilized projectile.

If you thinned out the pure silicone, you might be able to get a thin coating on the mold. I've tried this before with the decorative holiday window gel clings, but lacked a good method of distribution. Silicone may work better. Kane, how fine is the powder you wer using? Mine is shavings from resurfacing brake rotors.

[KaneTheMediocre]

If you thinned out the pure silicone, you might be able to get a thin coating on the mold. I've tried this before with the decorative holiday window gel clings, but lacked a good method of distribution. Silicone may work better. Kane, how fine is the powder you wer using? Mine is shavings from resurfacing brake rotors.

I don't remember the grade, but it was extremely fine powder. A thin coating on the mold would pretty much achieve the opposite distribution that I want, as the hope was to use iron-enriched silicone on the inside and pure silicone on the outside.

[Draconis]

I don't remember the grade, but it was extremely fine powder. A thin coating on the mold would pretty much achieve the opposite distribution that I want, as the hope was to use iron-enriched silicone on the inside and pure silicone on the outside.

Er... Do you just mean in the stem area within the foam? Otherwise that doesn't make any sense. But yes, that method does seem like a better plan.

[KaneTheMediocre]

Er... Do you just mean in the stem area within the foam? Otherwise that doesn't make any sense. But yes, that method does seem like a better plan.

No, I mean the inside. Like, not near the parts of the silicone tip that are touching not-silicone.

[Draconis]

No, I mean the inside. Like, not near the parts of the silicone tip that are touching not-silicone.

Clearly we are miscommunicating. Or you just have a really weird idea. Either way works, I guess.