Every darts player knows that steel tip darts are an important part of their dart setup. There are now a large number of different tips for steel tip darts.
Each dart tip has its own characteristics and quality features. However, every steel tip will wear out over time.
For this reason, today we would like to explain to you how you can optimally care for, change and sharpen your dart tips.
If you follow all of our tips in the future, your darts will last a lifetime .
How do you change dart tips?
If you also want to hang up a dartboard to indulge in your hobby at home, you should of course also know how to change dart tips yourself and how to care for them.
Unlike soft tip darts, steel tip darts, for example, cannot simply be screwed on because they don't have a thread . Typically, a dart tip changer is required for this.
It's also possible without a dart tip remover , although this does make it a bit more complicated . If you want to change dart tips yourself, clamp the dart tip in a vise and tap the pliers lightly with a hammer.
This separates the barrel from the old tip. The old tip remains in the vise. Now simply insert the new tip and secure it in the barrel with a tap on the screw .
Changing dart tips with a tip changing machine
With a tip machine - also called a repointing tool or dart repointer - you can easily change or replace your dart tips if the dart tip has broken off .
There are various types of machines available. You can now find an affordable version in our shop. We've written detailed instructions for you.
This is what you need:
- Dart tip changer
- New peaks
- Hexagon socket screws
- Allen key
Directions:
Step 1: Remove old dart tip
- Turn Z clockwise
- With Allen key the Loosen the hexagon socket screws at X
- Insert the tip of the dart barrel into the tip holder and screw the barrel onto the thread
- With the Allen key the Tighten the Allen screws firmly. The dart tip must sit exactly in the recessed holder.
- Place the tip changing machine on a table so that the end of the tool protrudes above the table surface (see 'dashed line')
- Now unscrew Z to release the tip from the barrel
- Tip remains in X – the barrel remains in Y
- Loosen the hexagon socket screws
- Remove dart tip
Step 2: Attach new dart tip
- Insert new dart tip into X
- I Hexagon socket screws with Tighten with an Allen key
- Turn Z counterclockwise to guide the tip into the barrel
- Loosen the hexagon socket screws again
- Screw barrel from thread
- Remove barrel with new dart tip – DONE
Change dart tips yourself without tools
This is what you need:
- New peaks
- A vice or lockable pliers
- Screw with 2BA thread or alternatively an old aluminum shaft
- Tongs
- hammer
- Lead block or alternatively a plastic plate
Directions:
Step 1: To change the dart tips yourself, you first need to screw the screw into the dart . This screw must be positioned exactly where the shaft would be screwed in.
Infobox: Make sure the screw has the correct thread and that you screw it in straight. If this isn't the case, you could damage the barrel .
Step 2: To prevent slippage, you must now clamp the old tip firmly in the vise . Then, grasp the screw with pliers and hit the pliers with a hammer . This blow separates the barrel from the old tip, which remains in the vise.
Step 3: Now you can insert the new tip . Place the dart upright on the lead block or plastic plate, and then lightly tap the screw with a hammer to drive it into the barrel.
Can you change the tips on all steel darts?
Basically, you can change the tips on all steel-tipped darts if they're compatible with your machine . Otherwise, you'll have to use the alternative of changing the dart tips yourself.
How often do you need to change dart tips?
This, of course, depends on how often you play darts. However, if you always maintain and sharpen your steel dart tips, they can last a lifetime .
Infobox: Cleaning darts is also important to protect the tips . However, many players change their dart tips once a year .
Where can I get my dart tips changed?
You can change dart tips yourself , with or without a machine, or you can use the numerous specialist shops that change dart tips for you.
Have you seen that we now offer a dart changing machine in our shop ? With this, you'll never have to rely on others again and can change your dart tips quickly and easily yourself .
Sharpening dart tips
Dart tips become blunt over time, and no one wants blunt tips. To prevent darts from falling off the board and missing valuable points, you should take care of them and sharpen them when necessary.
With a suitable whetstone, this is easily possible, and it doesn't cost the earth. So, if you care about your darts, a whetstone is essential.
Why do dart tips need to be sharpened?
First of all, dart tips are a consumable material. Therefore, they must be regularly maintained. Depending on how often you play darts, you may need to sharpen your dart tips more often.
There are two reasons for this:
- Firstly , you reduce the number of unnecessary rebounds on the dartboard.
- On the other hand, you protect your dartboard and increase its lifespan .
What is the best way to sharpen dart tips?
The most important thing when sharpening is, of course, the tool. We're talking about a dart whetstone , also known as a dart grinder or dart sharpener. With this, you can sharpen or roughen your darts.
Sharpening stones come in various shapes . They are usually round or very smooth (see image). So, if your tips become blunt or damaged, you can easily sharpen them with a dart sharpening stone .
Infobox: Pay attention to the recommended rounding of your dart tip in order to grind it optimally.
How do you sharpen dart tips?
Now we come to the optimal shape of your steel tip darts. There's a big myth here: dart tips have to be pointed and sharp. Some dart players believe that sharp tips stick better in the board.
However, the exact opposite is true. Sharp dart tips have the following disadvantages:
- For one thing, they get stuck in the board less than round tips.
- On the other hand, the wires on your board will get damaged more quickly.
For this reason, we recommend rounding your tips . These will stay in the board much better . They also reduce the number of bounces and slide more easily past the board wire.
To grind the dart tips perfectly, proceed as follows:
Step 1: Sharpen your dart tip on a whetstone or with sandpaper. To do this, rotate the tip in the whetstone or wrap the sandpaper around the tip and slowly rotate it back and forth.
Step 2: After sharpening the tip, it's important to slightly round it again. To do this, press the tip vertically against the whetstone or sandpaper and slowly rotate it in place until the tip is slightly blunted again.
Step 3: Finally, tilt the dart down a little and turn it back and forth a few more times .
Every dart player knows that steel dart tips are an important part of their dart setup. 
Conclusion
Basically, it doesn't matter whether you want to change the dart tip yourself and whether you use a dart tip changer or a vice .
The only thing that really matters is that you take care of your darts. Only then can you be truly successful . A little bit of paint and sharpening the steel dart tips is often enough; you don't need to replace the entire tip.
But if this is necessary, you now have everything you need to know with the step-by-step instructions .
FAQ
Changing a dart tip: How much does it actually cost?
Prices vary widely , ranging from 3 euros to 15 euros , depending on whether the tips are replaced where they were purchased or not.
How often can you change dart tips?
Dart tips should n't be changed too often . Usually, changing them once a year is sufficient, unless they are defective and need to be replaced.
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