Removing burs on dart shafts

[SlingBlade]

So, I have a set I've been using for only about a year but the grip grooves are all jagged up and have developed little burs. I used a dremel and got rid of most of them but I was wondering what some of you do, other than buy new ones, which I completely understand
Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[*Saber*]

Sandpaper for me.

[gumbo2176]

I'll second what Saber says. Sandpaper for better control of removal.

[Getagrip]

on the shafts?

[The D'Artist]

Clamp a drill into a vice or other holding fixture, put the dart point into the chuck end and tighten well, turn on the drill, press the red button or other device to free your hands. Use silicon carbide paper (wet and dry) to lightly touch up the jagged grooves. I assume you mean barrel and not shaft.
This gives you fine control of the abrading, hold the "sand paper" tightly between the fingers of both hands, a one inch wide strip will do fine.
The job takes seconds.

[SlingBlade]

Excellent ideas and techniques. Since I don't own a vice, other than my personnel choices, but the drill sounds like a pretty cool thing to do. And, yes I was referring to the Barrel, not the point or shaft. And an idea of the grit sandpaper used?

[The D'Artist]

Excellent ideas and techniques. Since I don't own a vice, other than my personnel choices, but the drill sounds like a pretty cool thing to do. And, yes I was referring to the Barrel, not the point or shaft. And an idea of the grit sandpaper used?

Try 400 grit and see how it goes, it won't take much though. Apply gentle pressure.

[ChrisTheFish]

I use a set of jewellers size files that I got from Maplins for £3 they are very fine and the blades are about 4 mm across and 80 mm long so just the burrs can be removed and no real amount of barrel

[The D'Artist]

I use a set of jewellers size files that I got from Maplins for £3 they are very fine and the blades are about 4 mm across and 80 mm long so just the burrs can be removed and no real amount of barrel

Jewellers' files are great for this. I caution against using them with the drill method though. A touch too much pressure and you have a projectile, and it's not a dart.

[ChrisTheFish]

Jewellers file are just tiny files, some flat some triangular but all very small and used by hand not with power tools

[SlingBlade]

Thanks for the info. I used a dremel tool and had good results but I did scar the barrel in one spot but nothing too serious.
I've read of people using the same darts for many years and just wondered how rough those darts must get and do they need some form of maintenance or just keep getting more abused as time goes on.

[The D'Artist]

Jewellers file are just tiny files, some flat some triangular but all very small and used by hand not with power tools

I was suggesting NOT using with with the power drill method I outlined, i.e. with the barrel rotating in the drill.

[Dorian]

Excellent ideas and techniques. Since I don't own a vice, other than my personnel choices, but the drill sounds like a pretty cool thing to do. And, yes I was referring to the Barrel, not the point or shaft. And an idea of the grit sandpaper used?

As mentioned earlier I have found that a 400 or even 800 rated 'Wet & Dry' abrasive paper works well. This is not 'sandpaper' as such that's really a generic name, it will be usually stocked at auto shops and good hardware outlets. Put a little water on the barrels/paper, gently buff the burrs away by hand, then when done, wash the darts in a bit of dishwashing detergent.

[ChrisTheFish]

Sorry D'artist I wasn't disagreeing with you at all just trying to make sure nobody snapped a file through a finger or in an eye!

[The D'Artist]

Sorry D'artist I wasn't disagreeing with you at all just trying to make sure nobody snapped a file through a finger or in an eye!

Oh, I agree, did not take it as disagreement.
As as safety pro I should have made that caveat myself.