Introduction: How to Make Exploding Blowgun Darts

About: I study engineering at Virginia Tech. Long time instructables fan.

This is my first Instructable, so go easy on me.

This Tutorial will show you a step-by-step process to make Exploding Blowdarts.

__________________________________________________________________

I AM NOT LIABLE IF YOU PREFORM ILLEGAL ACTIONS WITH THESE DARTS!

Let me start by saying that these darts have the potential to really hurt someone. I strongly advise that you don't shoot anything living.

These explode, and can cause damage to property, don't shoot at anything you don't intend to destroy.

__________________________________________________________________

Step 1: Materials

The materials required to build these darts do not include the blowgun itself.

Here, I'm using a 4' section of 3/4" PVC Pipe, somewhere close to 60 Calibers.

Materials:

Paper - A magazine page cut in half is the perfect size.
Silicone or other Epoxy - This will hold the materials in the cone at the end
Ring Caps - Note: These must be ring caps, paper roll caps WILL NOT work.
Pencil Eraser (Not Shown) - Take a regular #2 Pencil and cut off the eraser. Simple
Tape - Holds cone together
Needle Nose Pliers (Not Shown) - To extract fuel

Step 2: Forming the Cone

Here we will form the basic body of the dart. In this step we will use the paper and the tape.

Start with the paper holding it horizontally, with two fingers and a thumb at the bottom right, and one finger and thumb at the top left. (Picture 1)

Roll the top left fingers over the bottom right. This will form a rough cone. (picture 2)

Use the positions of your fingers to adjust the width and length of the cone (this requires practice)

Note: In order for this dart to work, there must be no wider than a pinprick opening at the tip, or the powder may fall out later.

Once you have rolled the cone, place a small piece of tape on it to hold its shape and give it strength.

Important: Do not place the tape closer than 1/2" away from the tip of the cone. This part needs to stay weak.
_

Now simply place the large cone into the blowgun, mark it with a sharpie, and cut it on the line. (Pictures 4&5)


Step 3: Extracting the Fuel

This is the power of the dart. Here we will be extracting the chemical mixture "Armstrong's Mix" from the ring caps.

This dart was made with three rings of caps

The Video shows it way better than i can describe, but I'll do it anyway.

Spread out a piece of paper with a fold down the middle.

Take your pliers (placing one tong on each side of the cap) and squeeze the ring caps along the sides to crimp them. (This alone will not extract the Mix). Crimp each cap once or twice.

Then take the pliers again and put one tong on the outside of the ring, and one on the inside. Crimp them once more, most of the material that didn't fall out before should now. (if not, repeat the process until it does) You will know when all the material is gone when the small white circle falls out of the cap. (keep these with the rest of the Mix)

Make sure to catch the Mix on the paper, this will make inserting it into the cone much easier.


Step 4: Constructing the Dart

Now we will undertake the final construction of the dart.

Make sure the cone tip is dabbed with a tiny bit of epoxy if there is a hole there

First add the Explosive mix (represented by the salmon-y coloring the graphic), using the paper to funnel it in.

Once that has settled down to the bottom, place in the pencil eraser(The pink color). Make sure to tamp down the eraser to pack the mix firmly.

Next comes the epoxy (The light blue color) use this to seal the whole mix in. Don't be too liberal with the epoxy, as it will weigh down the dart. Just enough to cover the eraser is fine.


Now you're set! All you have to do is wait for the epoxy to dry and fire it off!

Enjoy, and be safe!

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Here's a video showing some of my exploding darts. The first type are just a cap sitting on the end of a blunt nail (not shown in this Instructible) the second portion are the ones showed here. Pay special attention to the last one, Big Bertha.

Also, some pictures of the actual explosions are here too.

Enjoy!


The Instructables Book Contest

Participated in the
The Instructables Book Contest