13 replies to this topic

[KirbySaysHi]

Hi folks!

I've been nerfing since I was a wee lad (my brother and I used to play capture the flag across four backyards), and I've tried modding guns and such, but I've never been able to get the results you all talk about.

The gun in question is the nite finder. I've removed all the air restrictors (by drilling and keeping the "rings" intact), and then I added a crayola barrel, surrounded by approximately four inches of 1/2" SCH 40 PVC. The crayola/PVC are hot glued and electrical taped into place. I replaced the spring with a different one I found at a Farm and Fleet (7/8 x 4 x .080 inches), and I also added a small bungee that hooks perfectly onto the handle.

So, I have two questions: one, how much of the crayola marker should I use? Right now I'm using the entire marker (w/ writing tip). Searching through these posts has revealed nothing more than "use a crayola barrel" (no specifics). My PVC goes about an inch and a half past the crayola.

Second question: whenever I shoot a dart (stock or stefan) it whirly-gigs out, with a max range of about 20 feet. The dart flies in a straight path, but the back end circles through the air. To me, it almost looks like the gun is trying to push the back of the dart past the front, and that the two ends are in a struggle.

Sorry for the length of this post, but I've seen so many on this forum where the first response is "Details, please!" I have probably forgotten something important...

Thanks!

(and sorry for an nf question... sort of...)

[torch]

You have to cut the back off the marker then clean all of the stuff out of the marker. Then were the writting end was you put that In the first air restrictor. Nice first post.

Edited by torch, 07 June 2005 - 10:27 AM.

[Half Newb Half Nerfer]

The reason your darts fishtail is likely because the gun is too powerful for them. When you make your steffans, try making them 1/2 an inch, or 1 inch longer.

Welcome and good luck!
~Halfling

[Pineapple]

I'm going to assume you did clean out the marker (ink wick, writing tip, etc.) so moving right along...


I have success (on six of my NiteFinders) with just a Crayola marker as the barrel, with no PVC added to it. I get 40-50 foot ranges with it, with NO banding, and the stock spring setup.

Not having done a PVC mod on a NF, I'm not sure if that's what's causing your stock darts to spin upon firing. Dart spin is often associated with either excessive power, darts that are too heavy at the nose, or poorly made Stefans. With stock darts, my crayola-only NFs get pretty much average (30-40 ft) ranges, and the darts are pretty consistent shooting. It's my Stefans that occasionally spin; I attribute that to mediocre craftsmanship.

I'd try to make a couple of test Stefans of differing lengths and weights (I'm assuming you're using BB sized split shot weights, so you could go as much as three, or as little as one), Experiment and see with your homemade darts and find the length/ front weight that shoots most consistently out of your modded NF. I found that a 2" long (1/2" FBR) stefan with one BB sized weight shoots most consistently out of my NFs.

You might even consider pulling off the PVC and trying to run the crayola barrel only. Stefans would go all the way in the barrel, but stock darts would go in only to the purple suction tip (that part would stick out).


Excellent first post, KirbySaysHi. Good inquiring question, you did some searches, and you described your modification with enough details that most readers know exactly what you did to your NiteFinder.

Hope this helps some. Good luck!


-Piney-

[MysticNinja]

You need a tighter barrel to dart fit. Get rid of the Crayola and use either Mega home made darts with ½” PVC, or the more common micros using CPVC.

(PVC would fit most kinds of stock ammo better.)

*edit* Piney got to it before me . But I'd have to say that I disagree with losing the PVC entirely. PVC will generally help performance with stock darts because it creates a seal around the tip of the dart ideally with the length is right. Then again I've never modded a nightfinder specifically with a crayola just other guns.)

Edited by MysticNinja, 07 June 2005 - 12:57 PM.

[KirbySaysHi]

Wow. Thanks for the quick responses! I'll try varying my stefans... Do you guys think a longer barrel (PVC) would help? And yes, I had already cleaned out the marker, but the litttle plastic bits still remain (those fins, and the pegs that hold the tip/resevoir).

Thanks again!

[KirbySaysHi]

You need a tighter barrel to dart fit. Get rid of the Crayola and use either Mega home made darts with ½” PVC, or the more common micros using CPVC.

*edit* Piney got to it before me ;D. But I'd have to say that I disagree with losing the PVC entirely. PVC will generally help performance with stock darts because it creates a seal around the tip of the dart ideally with the length is right. Then again I've never modded a nightfinder specifically with a crayola just other guns.)

So which is it? Would you recommend that I keep crayola with PVC or use 1/2" cpvc? And... if I should go with the CPVC, I use it as a nub, correct? And then extend the barrel using something else? I'm pretty new to that...

[MysticNinja]

Personally I and most people would go with brass, but that’s me, and many people can’t be bothered to spend a little more. Plus it’s not great with stock darts. From what you could pick up at a hardware store I think your best bet it just to use the ½ PVC you have and lose the marker. Megas are stefens made from 5/8” caulk saver and fit PVC somewhat tight, this is good for a NightFinder. I suggest using PVC over CPVC this time because it sounds you have and abundance of stock darts and unmodder guns, also you already seem to have it lying around. PVC can be used to fire most any stock dart with out twisting off the tip when loading it. Good luck sorry for the confusion.

Edited by MysticNinja, 07 June 2005 - 01:00 PM.

[KirbySaysHi]

I've got a whole lot of stefans hanging around with very few stock darts still surviving...

Right now, I'm just looking for range/power. Wouldn't I want to stick with micro stefans for that?

[MysticNinja]

Right now, I'm just looking for range/power. Wouldn't I want to stick with micro stefans for that?

Slighly.

The point I’m trying to stress is better dart fit. Tighter dart fit. And I don’t think your going to get what your looking for using Crayola barrels. BUT apparently Piney does, so you very well might too, but for me Crayola barrels have never bode well and I can only talk form my expeirance. His advice shouldn’t necessarily be written off .

Simplified: You’re looking for something similar to a cork popping out of a wine bottle in a spring gun like the nightfinder. Just not as extreme. Look around Cxwq has a good article covering barrel to dart fit and choosing the right barrel to dart combo for your gun. It’s not really complicated, and I hope I’m not making it seem overly so.

I assumed that since you haven’t modded much, but have been war’n for a while you had an abundance of stock darts.

[KirbySaysHi]

I forgot to add in my description that I took the o-ring off of the plunger and replaced it with electrical tape... only for the better?

[MysticNinja]

I forgot to add in my description that I took the o-ring off of the plunger and replaced it with electrical tape... only for the better?

No.

[KirbySaysHi]

Does the o-ring seal better? It seemed pretty loose when I pulled it off.

[MysticNinja]

Actually though it fits loose on the plunger it fits superbly inside the plunger tube. Electrical tape has a nasty habit of creating horrendous friction, you know that sticky rubbery build up it can get? I’ve never seen a need to replace the o-ring with anything.

Edited by MysticNinja, 07 June 2005 - 02:45 PM.