I've not found suitable commercial metal points for my 1/2" wooden shaft atlatl darts. The standard arrow field points are too small and light. I've taken to making steel socketed bodkins from 1/2" cold rolled, but that requires a small forge and metal working skills, which most people don't have. I've made lots of stone, bone, and antler points, but these break very easily when stumping. It breaks usually on the first throw.
There's nothing quite like watching a well thrown dart thump into a stump. You too can be thumping and stumping with these beauties very fast with limited tools. Parts can be found at Lowes, Home Depot, or plumbing and hardware stores. I soldered copper fittings and points just because I can. I'm a plumber. Medium thick super glue would work as well. That's what I use to haft socketed points to shafts. The copper fittings are 3/8" coupling, sweat with a 1/4" x 3/8" fitting sweat adaptor. An interesting note . . . . the inside diameter of a 3/8" coupling is 1/2" and the inside diameter of a 1/4" is 3/8. I don't know why. It's just the plumbing way.
The points in the photos are 3/8" cold rolled steel and 3/8" brass rod. The copper and brass point should be acceptable for primitive ISAC (World Atlatl Association has ISAC or International Standard Accuracy Contest for atlatl competitions). Both these points weigh 500 grains. You can cut the steel or brass a bit longer than 1 3/4", say 2", then grind down to the exact weight you want. I like 500 grains. Both of these points should be robust enough for stumps, although the brass will dull rather quickly. Notice that the shaft has a bit of taper to get all 7/8" of the copper socket on it.
Email your comments to "Mike Richardson" at fiddler49@hotmail.com
Mike Richardson resides in Anchorage, Alaska.
We hope the information on the PrimitiveWays website is both instructional and enjoyable. Understand that no warranty or guarantee is included. We expect adults to act responsibly and children to be supervised by a responsible adult. If you use the information on this site to create your own projects or if you try techniques described on PrimitiveWays, behave in accordance with applicable laws, and think about the sustainability of natural resources. Using tools or techniques described on PrimitiveWays can be dangerous with exposure to heavy, sharp or pointed objects, fire, stone tools and hazards present in outdoor settings. Without proper care and caution, or if done incorrectly, there is a risk of property damage, personal injury or even death. So, be advised: Anyone using any information provided on the PrimitiveWays website assumes responsibility for using proper care and caution to protect property, the life, health and safety of himself or herself and all others. He or she expressly assumes all risk of harm or damage to all persons or property proximately caused by the use of this information.
© PrimitiveWays 2013