Darts Sighting Aid

It's been a while since I have posted.  I've been making lots of stuff but unfortunately much of it is being patented so I can't give any details yet.  Finally got some time to work on my stuff.  Well last father's day my lovely wife got me a professional Winmau dart board.  I've been slightly obsessed, playing any chance I get.  Desperate to improve my game, I came across this sighting aid.  It helps you ensure that your eyes are perfectly aligned with the center of the board.  It looked like something that was easy enough to make.  A little searching on the web yielded these plans.  I grabbed some scrap wood and started cutting.

The 3 pieces: 500 x 250 x 12 mm, 500 x 100 x 12 mm and 500 x 30 x 30 mm

glued and clamped the pieces together

spray painted white line down the center

Next I sanded the edges and masked a 6 mm line down the center of the boards with painters tape.  Then I spray painted everything flat black.  When I removed the tape, I was left with a nice straight white line down the center.  I used a plumb bob to find the center of the dart board on the floor and made a mark.  Then I centered the line of the sighting aid on the mark.

When you are standing to one side of the board or the other, the line appears broken.  When you are perfectly aligned with the bullseye, the line will look like one long line.  Centering yourself with the board should improve consistency.

off-center view

centered view

Well the sighting aid works.  Let's hope it helps my game.

Glock 17 Magazine Block

The Glock 17 usually comes with a 17 round magazine.  Well, in New Jersey you are limited to a maximum of 15 rounds.  Since NJ is the only state with that odd number as a limit, 15 round magazines are difficult to find for any firearm.  As a result, the Glock 17 ships with 10 round magazines in NJ.  Now I can live with giving up 2 rounds, but not 7!  Nobody makes a 15 round magazine for the Glock 17 (and no, the 15 round Glock 19 magazine does not fit the Glock 17).  So, I designed this magazine block to limit the standard 17 round magazine to a maximum of 15 rounds .

Magazine Block

The block fits between the floor plate and the magazine insert; keeping the internal design of the magazine unchanged.  Magazine function and reliability are completely unaffected.

Here is how to legally convert a 17 round Glock 17 magazine to hold 15 rounds.  All of this must take place in a state where 17 round magazines are legal.

1.  Go to Shapeways and order the magazine block.

2.  Get yourself some epoxy.  I use JB Weld.  Crazy Glue won't cut it; it is too easy to pull the pieces apart.

3.  Drive to a free state and purchase a 17 round Glock 17 magazine.  Bring the block and epoxy with you.

4.  While still in a free state, disassemble the magazine.  Check to make sure the block fits in your magazine. It should be a tight fit.

5.  Swab the inside of the magazine, insert, base plate, and block with alcohol to remove any oil and/or dirt.

6.  Apply epoxy to the bottom of the magazine insert and set it on the magazine block.

7.  Apply epoxy to the sides of the magazine block and slide it in place.  Make sure not to insert it too far.

8.  Apply epoxy to the bottom of the magazine block and slide the base plate back on.  (It may be necessary to load 15 rounds to fully seat the magazine block down against the base plate.)

9.  Wipe off excess epoxy.  Keep the magazine vertical so that any excess epoxy runs down towards the base plate, not into the magazine.  Stay in the free state until the epoxy sets!

10.  Return home and enjoy 50% more ammo in your Glock 17.

Now the magazine is permanently converted to 15 rounds.  I am not an attorney, but according to attorney and firearms law expert Evan Nappen a blocked large capacity magazine is legal "as long as it is permanently blocked".  By epoxying all of the parts together you cannot take the magazine apart and convert it back to 17 rounds without destroying it.  DO NOT INSERT THE BLOCK WITHOUT EPOXYING IT IN!!!  That is not permanent.  You will be in possession of a banned magazine; committing a fourth degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a fine of $10,000.

Click here to order.