dart head ?anouther ?finished pics

[bubby]

so i got an atlatl built, then i got a six foot piece of boo for a dart and i was wondering how heavy of a point do i want on it, any help is appreciated, Bub





here is my first dart completed plus pics of my atlatl, these are fun to fling

[swamp monkey]

Practice tip:   Whittle out a piece of hard wood  ( elm, ash, Osage, hickory etc.) to the same diameter as your front end segment outer diameter.  Make the section 6-8 inches long.  Then whittle down about 3-4 inches of that to a diameter that will fit inside the hollow section of your bamboo.  Make sure it is snug.  Be sure to wrap the bamboo with some artificial or real sinew to prevent splitting.  Before you place it in, whittle the tip to the desired point. 

Stone tip:  same process as above except for the tip.  You still whittle the tip down a bit, but you cut a groove to fit the end of your stone head.  It's easier to explain with pictures.  Holler if you would like that. 

[bubby]

thank's, so it's just a round tang, Bub

[swamp monkey]

yep. real straight forward.  You can fire harden the tips for extra life too

[Ifrit617]

I agree with swamp monkey...

I just use fire hardened wood for practice tips.. Cheap durable, effective... what more could you want? Just make sure you have a good wrist snap at the end of your throw and your darts will fly straight... Happy throwing...


Jon

[aaron]

i make mine with extra weight- usually inside the boo. try wrapping yours with wire to see the effect,

[bubby]

just wondering how picky you have to be on dart straightness, as picky as an arrow or not?

[Ifrit617]

my darts are not very straight... Obviously you don't want a 90 degree angle in it but a little snakiness is fine... a dart flexes a massive amount in flight so straightness is not much of an issue... just make sure your darts are spined to about 4 or 5 pounds and you'll be all set. to spine a dart take the shaft and push it down on a bathroom scale... It will go up to a max weight, then continue flexing without the weight changing... this is your spine weight... Happy throwing..

Jon

[bubby]

thank's Jon, later this year we need to make a trade, maybe some knapped points or something for one of you're atlatl's, Bub

[swamp monkey]

My first set were not real straight.  They worked OK.  As time went on I wanted a set of "going to town" darts so i fancied up a new set.  My experience is similar to Jon's.  Take pride in your work and call it good.

best of luck.

[bubby]

thank's swamp monkey, the boo i got just had a little kink in it, just didn't know if that'd be a problem, and i take pride in all that i do. went out and thru the dart some today, pretty damn fun, first one went about 70 yds and the white oak point stuck in my father in laws 3" irrigation pipe , dart flew pretty good but it's gonna take a little practice to reach any degree of accuracy, Bub

[Ifrit617]

I like how that point came out Bubby, it looks real good.. And we'll work on a trade for sure whenever you want.

Jon

[cracker]

Looks like it oughta work just fine nice workmanship. Ron

[swamp monkey]

Nice work.  You have an attention to detail for sure.  Keep it up.  You'll make a fine primitive man!

[bubby]

thank's guy's, i sent it home with my oldest son to try out, he used to be a pitcher/ shortstop, probablly out thow me by a mile , Bub