Dart Flights
Homemade Dart Flights, using crisp packets (or other thin film).
Supplies
You will need: Thin card, scissors, ruler, compasses, a crisp packet and an indelible pen (not pictured).
Make Card Template
1/ Set compasses to 42mm and draw a circle onto the card.
2/ Roughly cut out a square including the circle.
3/ Carefully cut out your 84mm diameter card circle template.
Cut Crisp Packet Circle
1/ Degrease crisp packet.
2/ Place card circle where you wish to cut your circle.
3/ Draw around the card onto the crisp packet.
4/ Carefully cut out your crisp packet circle.
Primary Fold
1/ Fold crisp packet circle in half.
2/ Create a sharp crease.
3/ Open out and flatten.
Second Fold
1/ Carefully align 1st crease to match up and fold circle in half so fold is 90 degree to 1st fold.
2/ Create a sharp 2nd crease.
Inner Fold
1/ Fold both creases and pinch with 4 fingers to create shape shown in pic. 1 and 2.
2/ Align edge and pinch between fingers (pic 3).
3/ Find loop inside (pic 4) and pinch (pic 5).
4/ Use the pinched edge to create the inside fold, and squeeze inside edges (pic 6)
5/ Lay flat on a hard surface and run flat of finger nail along middle to create a sharp crease.
2nd Inner Fold
1/ Open out folded flight and align the opposing edges.
2/ Pinch out and crease along the centre ridge as with the previous fold.
That concludes the folding
Marking the Shape
1/ Select a flight whose shape you like. You need to choose a shape of flight with a right angle bit at the pointy end.
2/ Align carefully and draw around the flight using an indelible pen.
Finishing Cut
1/ Using very sharp scissors, carefully cut the shape. You may need to trim the rear wings as the film will slide a little during cutting. It may be better to cut just the front wing first. then follow that for the rear wings of the flight.
2/ Flight is ready for use.
3/ You can (if you wish) glue the wing sides together, using a glue stick. Be very sparing with the glue (add some moisture and smear with your finger) or the flight will become lumpy and distorted.
The Benefit
These flights are significantly lighter and more aerodynamic than any modern flight available to buy. Your darts will fly faster, truer, and be better balanced. You will have less bounce outs and deflections. The flights are so thin that an incoming dart is more likely to go straight through the flight than deflect off it, and as they cost nothing, "Robin Hood" shots cost nothing and actually become a thing of the past.
I know these flights improved my game by at least a 10 point average. Hope they help yours.