9 replies to this topic

[monkey with a nf]

Hi,

This is my first post here, though I've been lurking here for months. Anyway-

Recently I tried making some converted dart tag stefans. While I like that they fit in my longshot, I've noticed that they have slightly inferior range to normal tag darts, not the superior ranges everyone claims. This is probably my fault, so I'm wondering if anyone could help me? The only things I'm doing that I can think of that might cause the problem are that I'm using 3/0 fishing weights and a a high-temp gun (don't have a low-temp yet). Any yes, I did search.

[Flaming Hilt]

Okay, first off, PLEASE don't ever say when you search. If you did, nobody will complain, and if you didn't or did but not well enough, people will complain. Saying you searched doesn't influence that process.

Sorry if I was stepping up with that. Anyways. I don't see a problem with your darts. I'm guessing the problem is that people are guessing ranges... and when people guess ranges, they can guess very very wrong. Your darts are prolly fine. Maybe try less weight... I just use 1 BB and mine fly fine; DT darts a pretty light to begin with.

Otherwise, just use stefans.

[monkey with a nf]

Thanks for the help.

[pat 1st Lt]

*Tee Hee* I can't believe that the acronym caught on. I just started using it because I was too lazy to type 'converted dart tag darts' or 'converted dart tag stefans'.


Anyway, on to your actual question: What darts are you comparing them to? And out of what gun?

So, lets say that you're using a Nite Finder. The only mod to it is an air restirctor removal. CDTS's should get better ranges (on average) than stock darts.

The only thing I can think of that would be wrong is you said you were using fishing weights. Are they the fishing weights with the two little prongs to help guide the line in? If they are, that might be your problem. If those two little prongs aren't centered, it can throw off the darts balance a bit, causing it to either turn in flight, or start fish-tailing.

Generally, the problems with off-center weights don't look any different from the shooters perspective, but they can affect range and accuracy enough to have noticable effects when you're actually measuring things.

How many weights are you using? One per dart, or two? I've noticed that different brands have different weights/sizes for the same stock #. Some 3/0 fishing weights are rather heavier than other brands. Your darts may be under-weighted and spinning (Causing more drag, which decreases range), or they may be over-weighted and just being sluggish. My suggestion is try different size weights from diferent brands.



And just a suggestion overall: cut the darts down to about the 2" mark. That probably won't help your problem, but in my experience, they make the darts less likely to spin out.



Sorry about the long post. I'm a talkative person once I start going.

-Pat

Edited by {SF3G}pat 1st Lt., 24 September 2006 - 11:15 AM.

[Ryan201821]

It's definately the weights. Try using 1/4" Slingshot weights. They completely round and fit at the top of the dart tag darts very well. I don't think it matters if you have a high temp glue gun unless it is deforming your darts and crippling them. Might as well get a low temp glue gun anyway. They are a couple bucks and worth the investment.

Hope this helps.

[LnLKing]

I use the fishing weights with prongs and they seem to work fine with my darts. I to have a problem It's tha my darts hot glue tip's crack once they hit something can any one help.

[General Cole]

Place the prongs facing backwards. Try just one BB, they are cheaper and work better in CDTS than Fishing weights. I just use pure hot glue tips or one BB.

[monkey with a nf]

I think everyone has just convinced me to find 1/4" slingshot ammo, it looks easier than scorching my fingers trying to the the weight even .

[pat 1st Lt]

I too have a problem. It's that my darts hot glue tips crack once they hit something. Can any one help?

I cleaned up your quote a bit.

Anyway, your problem is either than you're using a high-temp glue gun with glue that is brittle, or that your weights are not far enough in the foam, and there is too much surface area.

Pick up a new glue gun. Specifically a 'Low Temp' or 'Variable Temp' glue guns. If you have a variable temp one, make sure that it's set on it's lowest setting. And you don't have to spend much; I found mine for $5 at Ocean State Job Lot. You can get a perfectly fine one for about that price or less if it's on sale.

If you already have a Low Temp glue gun, try getting some different glue. When you pick up the package of glue, test it to see if it's springy. Can you bend the sticks of glue without them cracking? If you bend them and let go, do they spring back to their original position? If they do, then you've found the right glue. If the glue is brittle, you don't want it.


Also, when making a dart: push the head of the glue gun far enough in so that the weight is all the way inside the dart. Preferably, the top of the weight should be about 5mm from the top of the hole you burned. That way, you can keep the dome of glue about flush with the top of the dart and also have enough glue to keep the weight secure.

If that doesn't help your problem, I have no idea what could be wrong (Unless of course you made these darts outside in -50 degree weather, and cooled the hot glue down with semi-frozen water. In which case, it's thermal shock and you just need to do it in 'normal' weather.)


-Pat

[elf avec gun]

Although it hasn't been mentioned here (yet) it has been mentioned other places: When useing converted stockdarts take a straw (can be stolen from any subway mcdonalds bk or other fastfood restarant) and stick it up the hole inside, mark where the end of the dart is on the straw and then cut there. This not only makes the dart straighter and sturdier, I have found that it also decreases the number of jams that occur.