If you’ve been experiencing bounce outs, or your dart tips just aren’t as long and pointy as they used to be, then it may be time to replace them. This leads to a common question among new players, can you replace dart tips?
The answer to this question is yes. You can replace both soft and steel tip darts. Soft tip darts simply need to be unscrewed and replaced, while a steel tip dart will need a re-pointing tool to replace the tip.
Keeping your dart tips in check has many benefits. A sharp tip will help prevent bounce outs and reduce wear on your dartboard. A dull tip, on the other hand, will have a lot more bounce outs and can also contribute to the wear and tear of the bristle fibers on a self healing dartboard.
This is why it is imperative that you either replace your dart tips, or give them a sharpening before it gets to that point.
Using a Steel Tip Dart Re-Pointing Tool
There are a few methods to replace a steel tip dart that involves household tools, but the simplest way to replace a steel tip dart is to use a dart re-pointing tool like this one from Amazon. This re-pointing tool will remove the old point and insert the new point with ease.
The tool might look a little intimidating at first, but it’s actually pretty easy to use once you use it a few times. This tool comes with a detailed instruction booklet with a diagram of the tool teaching you how to use it, step by step.
There is pretty much 4 simple steps involved to remove and replace a tip using this tool.
- The first step is to turn the extracting screw to the fully open position. This will allow enough room for you to place the barrel and tip inside of the tool. Once inserted, tighten the clamp that the point passes through with the provided Allen wrench. Be sure to give it a good turn after it’s tight to ensure the tip does not come out during the extraction process.
- The next step is to turn the extracting screw the opposite direction until it is fully inserted into the dart barrel.
- Next, unscrew the extracting screw. This will cause the barrel to rise and the tip to be removed as it stays in place due to the clamps that you tightened earlier with the provided Allen wrench.
- To insert a new tip onto your dart barrel, repeat these steps in reverse with a new tip in place of the old one. Instead of extracting the tip, you will be forcing the tip into the barrel.
Here’s a great video tutorial showing how to use this re-pointing tool:
How Do You Get a Broken Point out of a Dart?
One of the worst things that can happen is a dart tip breaking inside your favorite dart’s barrel. Don’t panic because there is a solution other than throwing it out and replacing it. There are a few methods you can use to effectively remove a broken dart tip from a barrel.
Use a Re-Pointing Tool
The first method is to simply use a re-pointing tool. This is only viable if the broken tip is still long enough to be placed inside of the tool and tightened down effectively. If you have a tip that isn’t long enough to grip, then you will need to try the next two method which consists of dissolving the point.
Use Vinegar to Dissolve the Broken Dart Point
Vinegar is a common household item and can effectively be used to remove a broken tip. The main drawback to using vinegar is the amount of time it needs to do the job.
Duration to Dissolve Dart Point in Vinegar: 4 – 6 Weeks
- Use a small container with a sealable lid.
- Drop the dart barrel into the container.
- Fill the container with vinegar until the entire barrel is submerged and close the lid.
- Observe the dart point over several weeks.
Use Alum Powder to Dissolve the Broken Dart Point
Alum powder is the quickest option to dissolve a dart point, but the problem is that this isn’t a very common household item. Click here to see the current price of this powder on Amazon.
Duration to Dissolve Dart Point in Alum Powder: 4 – 6 Hours
- Use a small non-ferrous pan or storage container for this method. Some examples are glass/pyrex bowls and dishes. Do not use a steel or stainless steel pan as this will react to the powder being used.
- In a separate saucepan (any saucepan is fine), prepare about 4 – 6 cups of boiling hot water.
- Mix approximately 6 tablespoons of alum powder for every 1 cup of boiling water into your non-ferrous pan or container and place the dart barrel inside.
- It is imperative that you keep the barrel submerged in this hot solution. Periodically add boiling water to keep the barrel submerged in the hot solution. There will be fizzy bubbles coming from the barrel which is completely normal.
There will be no odors or chemical fumes so this is safe to do inside of your home.
How Do You Sharpen a Dart at Home?
Before replacing your dart tips entirely, you should first consider sharpening them. In order to fully utilize the life span of your dart’s steel tips, you should sharpen them when they become dull, or lose their shape.
The best way to sharpen your darts at home is to use a small stone sharpening tool like this one by Unicorn Darts, which you can find on Amazon. Once you have your own dart sharpener, you can easily sharpen your darts in the comfort of your own home in just a few minutes.
Take your dart and insert the tip into the sharpener. Start grinding down the tip in a circular motion. Be sure not to press down too hard. A soft and steady circular motion will provide greater results than a fast and hard motion as you may end up grinding off too much. Check your dart tip every 3 or 4 seconds by running your finger across the tip of the dart.
You want it to be pointy, but not too pointy. If your point is like a needle then you need to round it out just a little bit. The point of your dart should be slightly rounded, that’s when you know you’ve sharpened it just enough.
Creating the perfect amount of sharpness on your dart tips will take some practice, but is essential to a high performing dart. Having a dart point that is too sharp or too dull can increase the likelihood of bounce outs.
Be careful not to over sharpen your darts in the process as you may end up with a tip that is too worn down to use which will then need to be replaced entirely.
Here is a great video tutorial showing how to use a dart sharpener:
Final Thoughts
Whether you use steel of soft tips for your darts, they will eventually need to be replaced. Soft tips need to be replaced right away as soon as you notice they are broken or bent out of shape. While a steel tip dart can be sharpened if the damage isn’t too bad.
Once your steel tips break or have been sharpened a few times, it will be time to replace them entirely using a dart re pointing tool. The best way to remove a broken tip that is too short to be removed with a re pointing tool is to use alum powder to dissolve the remainder of the tip.
Performing proper maintenance on your dart tips will help ensure that you are getting the most out of your dart tips each and every time. If you are an avid dart player, then it may be worthwhile to pick up your own re pointing tool as well as a dart sharpener.