Nylon Shaft Alteration Question

[Adams]

The common nylon shafts I’m using have squared-off, blunt tail ends that can serve as an effective Robin Hood catcher or a stopper that can cause incoming darts to stop dead in the air and fall to the floor.

I wanted to do something to cut down on the chances of Robin Hoods and flubs without buying into a fancy punch press and cap system, so I lightly sandpapered the tips of the four flight-holding prongs to a tapered point. I’m just starting to experiment with this, but it seems the ability of the shaft to hold the flight (with an aluminum spring ring) isn’t compromised and the shafts now come to a nice pointed end that seem to have very little chance of causing Robin Hoods or flubs.

I’ve looked all over DNF but I haven’t found any mention of anybody else doing this. Has anybody else sanded nylon shaft tail ends to a point? If you have, how did it work out?

[Banned]

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[guest2]

Nice of you to have the patience of thinking about practical solutions to common issues as that. Yes we have several discussions here about Robin Hooding and the most popular solution so far is installing Wizlock or champagne caps which is not as practical as your idea.

[Alex]

I've found the main Robin Hood catcher is the little springs, not the stem. The springs will hold but the little rings that come with the pro grip and vision stems just snap.

[adavidson]

Some of the stems look like they have basically been taken right out of the injection press and into the bag. No trimming or finishing at all. I started with cheaper ones and found a lot of what you talked about. I tried sanding and cleaning them up with a sharp exacto knife and that helped a lot. I changed over to Target Pro Grips and Unicorn Gripper 2's and 3's and they were much better. Both of these systems, although not perfect, have far better fit and finish. I have settled on Pro Grips and use them exclusively now with no tinkering. Robin Hood's still occur, but highest percentage get stuck in spring. Few still in the physical stem, but seldom. My experience..............

[Adams]

It’s good to see that at least nobody’s gasping in horror at what’s seen as a horrible idea. I think I’m going to sand my shaft tips until I find some reason to not do so.

...discussions here about Robin Hooding ... the most popular solution so far is installing Wizlock or champagne caps...

The caps sound great, but I’m trying to keep things simple and avoid the expense of buying into a punch and a pile of caps as well as the added tail-end weight.

...Some of the stems look like they have basically been taken right out of the injection press and into the bag. No trimming or finishing at all...

Good call---that’s the heart of the problem. The cheap ones are cheap for reasons and one of the reasons is no time/effort wasted on trimming or finishing.

...Target Pro Grips and Unicorn Gripper 2's and 3's ... have far better fit and finish.

I have some Pro Grips and you’re absolutely right. With higher prices come better fit and finish.