6 replies to this topic

[KoRnEd]

I ordered a pack of These and they seem to make really good soft domes that are aerodynmic. They seem to work extremely well on slugs.

The problem with these however is that polyurethane doesn't feed through hoppers at all and that these are pretty damn expensive.

Thoughts?

[ultranewt]

I know with silicone domes, corn starch on the tips can keep them from sticking. Also the lower angle in 3D printed wyes feed them a lot more reliably. Or you could try to tackle replacing the hopper with actual magazines designed for stefans, or a tube magazine like on this setro's PANB 870

[archangel24]

Zorn's optimal wye allows for use with silicone domes
Or you could just use RSCBs or even BRISCs.

Edited by archangel24, 07 September 2014 - 02:23 PM.

[Drev]

Zorn's optimal wye allows for use with silicone domes
Or you could just use RSCBs or even BRISCs.

I honestly don't know why people have problems with feeding domes of any kind in their hoppers. Whether glue domes or silicon domes, I have had no more problems than with standard slugs. I use normal McMaster wyes and CPVC barrels with a PVC stub. What am I doing to make this happen? On the other hand, Zorn's wye design is great if you use longer darts and if you do have sticking problems.

[KoRnEd]

I can feed hot glue domes perfectly fine in hoppers.

These have high coefficients of friction with plastic, which means without a shallower angle on the hopper, the polyurethane would keep the dart static and the air would just move around the dart instead of bending it into the barrel.

I don't have a problem with these darts not feeding into my hopper. I'd rather use a breech; instead I want to know if anyone has tried these/use these and their experience with these. I've been making some darts with these and they seem to work pretty well.

[KaneTheMediocre]

I honestly don't know why people have problems with feeding domes of any kind in their hoppers. Whether glue domes or silicon domes, I have had no more problems than with standard slugs. I use normal McMaster wyes and CPVC barrels with a PVC stub. What am I doing to make this happen? On the other hand, Zorn's wye design is great if you use longer darts and if you do have sticking problems.

You probably just have a little bit more power and volume. Silicone domes are only barely problematic with the 5.5" of draw and much-less-than-plusbow spring force of the ESLTs and RBPs. But slugs work perfectly under the same circumstances (which is PLENTY of power for aerodynamic, domed darts), so we have to warn/advise about their imperfect hopperability without cornstarch or special hoppers. Remember that many +bows and big blasts will even fire streamline darts through a hopper.

Also, many contaminants on the surface of the dart will reduce friction enough for consistent hopper feed. We use cornstarch because it's inert and cheap, but dry dirt or dust or basically any powder will have the same effect. Tiny amounts of oil (including the oil produced by human skin) will also dramatically reduce the friction and eliminate the hopper feed problems.

[Drev]

You probably just have a little bit more power and volume. Silicone domes are only barely problematic with the 5.5" of draw and much-less-than-plusbow spring force of the ESLTs and RBPs. But slugs work perfectly under the same circumstances (which is PLENTY of power for aerodynamic, domed darts), so we have to warn/advise about their imperfect hopperability without cornstarch or special hoppers. Remember that many +bows and big blasts will even fire streamline darts through a hopper.

Also, many contaminants on the surface of the dart will reduce friction enough for consistent hopper feed. We use cornstarch because it's inert and cheap, but dry dirt or dust or basically any powder will have the same effect. Tiny amounts of oil (including the oil produced by human skin) will also dramatically reduce the friction and eliminate the hopper feed problems.

Ok, thanks for the info.

KoRnEd, I am definitely going to buy a package of these. They look promising.