Intro to Homemade Blowguns

A long-winded intro to homemade blowguns. Making a blowgun and darts with parts from the hardware store.
If you enjoy this type of content, please let me know in the comments! I've got at least one more blowgun video planned but definitely want to gauge y'all's interest before I put a lot more time into it.

[@raiderfandew]

I use sharpened bicycle spokes about 10" long for the darts. They are high quality steel and work perfectly. They can be hammered flat on the end and you can easily form a "broadhead" with a file. It helps if you heat the end, as the steel spoke is very hard and somewhat difficult to hammer flat. In a pinch, I've even used a 16d framing nail as a dart. It works, but not nearly as good as the spokes. Far too heavy. I cut a plug of high density styrofoam (about 1 1/2" long) for the "fletching' and shove the dart about half way into the plug. I use a short section of the pipe (sharpened) as a "cookie cutter" by twirling it between my hands.... like the woodsman does when he's trying to start a fire using a stick. The styrofoam plugs might be slightly too tight in the barrel, so you will have to roll it very slightly with a flat board to make it a tiny bit smaller in diameter. Easy does it....or you will make them too loose and they won't be worth a hoot. This is critical. You want to achieve an almost totally air-tight seal and yet not too tight to impede it's efficiency. Just dip the end of the dart in super glue and shove it into the styrofoam plug about half way and let it dry. I use 3/4" electrical conduit pipe for the barrel. The pipe length of 60" is critical. I have tested it using lengths from 24" to 72" and 60" is perfect. I also take a wooden dowel, make a saw kerf in the end, slip a piece of 100 grit sandpaper in it and chuck it in a drill and polish the inside of the barrel. It makes a HUGE difference. I also swab the inside with silicone (WD 40 WILL NOT WORK!) and let it try thoroughly before using it. Mine will penetrate 1/4" of plywood easily from about 40 feet. Be careful..... these things are VERY dangerous. It will easily penetrate a Walmart chicken breast! Same with an apple. A can of warm beer in the summer is awesome if you shake it up first! Be sure and take a pair of pliers with you when you go afield with it, because many times you won't be able to pull out the darts without ruining them if you hit a tree or wood surface. Tip: Push the dart into the barrel about an inch and a half before you shoot it. It makes a BIG difference. Try it without it..... and then with it and you will see what I'm talking about. To get the most velocity from it, you have to blow into it as if you were trying to spit a hair from your mouth. You want a sudden burst of air, with lots of volume and gusto! I made my first one when I was 18 years old. I'm now 76, and I made two of them this week. I refuse to grow up!

[@jamesstewart5371]

Thanks for your experience will make one based on all your comments but except for the beer can

[@nicetryb0z0]

Thanks for doing testing on the velocity of different lengths. I've searched high and low for someone who has actually done this, not just bought or made an arbitrary length and say "seems to work good!" I would think all the shooters making or buying these would understand there's diminishing return of too much tube or leaving energy on the table with too short. Again, thanks. 5 ft is the call

[@raiderfandew]

@@nicetryb0z0 , I put in the wrong diameter for the tube. I put 1/2" when it should read 3/4". My bad. I didn't mention, but bamboo shiskabab skewers, ala Walmart, make pretty good darts, too.

[@adityafirdaus3881]

​@@nicetryb0z0thanks for sharing, sir

[@bertkilborne6464]

Spokes are good - I got some motorcycle spokes and they're even better. Use a caulk gun nozzle for the cone

[@ianbooth9005]

If you are using wooden skewers for darts you can make a very durable point on them by snipping of just the point so you have a 1.5 - 2 mm flat end on the skewer. coat aprox 15 mm of the end of the skewer with super glue, hold the dart vertically so the glue runs down to the pointy end and then dip it in bi-carb soda (baking soda). The glue hardens instantly into a very hard plastic like material. Repeat this 3 or 4 times to build up enough material to be able to sand or grind it into a point.

[@iraa9935]

Yes, I’ve repaired a paring knife handle with superglue and baking soda - even held up through several dishwasher cycles.

[@stephenembrey883]

My dad taught us how to make blow guns and darts when we were five and six years old, I've had one ever cents, which adds up to about 55 years of practice. I find a heavier wall steel pipe to be much more accurate, half inch bore is best all around and if you want to increase your range dramatically, use a dart with a very small cone an insert a bore fitting cone into the end of it is, if you don't jostled around and dislodge it from that loose fit, when you shoot it air drag will pour the ceiling cone off and the dart With it's under sized cone will create far less air drag yet enough to keep the dard stable depending on how you make it, end it will retain its speed far better at distance with less drop. With the right Broadhead and an accurate shot, you can easily kill Havelina and midsize wild hogs. Tim Wells actually killed a black bear with a well placed dart.

[@stephenembrey883]

Forgive the spellcheck errors.

[@arizona-4734]

Saw the video, thought “hmm looks like what I’m looking for...” Saw your channel name, thought “Well I’ve got to watch this and all of your other videos now.” Thank you!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Arizona - thank you!

[@rileybarrett6518]

Great video would love to see another.

[@jrechebei]

Great video man. I grew up on an island in the south pacific, and when I was like 12 years old making blow guns was one of those things teen boys did for fun lol. We used to make ours out of bamboo because it was common and it was also the traditional material used in ancient times. But for darts we would use tie wire we found on constitution sites and instead of cones we would use cotton from a seed pod from a tropical tree. I figured out that synthetic cotton balls was better because they were less dense and started nabbing cotton ball from my moms makeup box 😂

[@12thsonofisrael]

Good job. I would like to see your technique for making broadheads out of metal, plastic and other materials. Thank you for your hard work in bringing us this tutorial.

[@savedwretch8711]

Thank you for taking the time to make this informative session I really appreciate it because I think that when s*** hits the fan blow guns will be a very useful item

[@1boortzfan]

Nice video. Now that I'm disabled I have more time than I do money. Things like this give me something cheap to take up my time. Thank you.

[@jethrosumptner7053]

This is my first time watching and it was there for the whole thing I would like to see some more when your able to on darts and blow guns. Great job!

[@P.R00]

Amazing , just found out your video and very very informative . Thank you so much for explaining and showing how it works and so well at that 👏👏

[@lukehumphrey8542]

Pretty cool! looks like a lot of fun! just ordered a blowgun online and gonna try and make some darts myself!

[@groundskeeper5292]

Pretty bad ass. I made a short one from pvc but I like your metal version. Your bamboo darts are nice too. Good grouping there.

[@johnsponaugle3847]

Hey I think you did and excellent job on the darts. No doubt anyone can make these at an affordable price. I appreciate your time in making an informative video, and I’ll try your method very soon.thank you!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

John Sponaugle Glad it was helpful!

[@joshmartinez1503]

You did a great job on the blowgun. When I was younger me and my cousins had blowguns one thing we would use is push pins, like for a cork board. We would fire the push pins like any regular dart and we called them stingers. LOL

[@davidnunoo6355]

Thanks for this magnificent upload for first timers like me.

[@NiNE0s]

Thanks for this vid. Sorting! Good idea. Also the sharpened dowel idea

[@jamieharju4121]

Excellent presentation. Thank you so much.

[@raymondberry1732]

Loved the video. Very informative and interesting 👍.

[@kennywilkes6978]

Thanks, just getting into blowguns. Lot of great info

[@ttwil9810]

Just found your video I appreciate the way you describe the blowgun as been asking for this type of description for a long time. As being in Canada they are illegal so just needed a description of the inside lining of the pipes. Now I have a idea of what to use for my eventual carbon fiber build. I also have some ideas of what to spray the inside of pipes so it make the darts glide.

[@Hank32211]

Nice video using off the shelf materials to build blow gun and darts. A dibble rescued from a gardener friend would be a nice mandrel to form your duck-tape on.

[@warrenegan2149]

Great video man! Would love to see another video!

[@stanleydunbar5598]

Yes make more videos and I thank u for showing me how to make darts. I dont get to spend alot of time with my boys bc I work alot but my kids are going to love this wen we start hunting in the keep up the good work and show men how to be men great job

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Love it ! I like making stuff with whatever is available and cheap! Lol the stealth is incredible and it seems like it would be a challenge to hunt small game with... and just plenk around and have fun with...I played around some when I was a kid...

[@adamentfan4055]

Nice. Enjoyed it

[@93snowwolf]

Really a great video, thanks for doing this for us :3

[@navagatingthroughthebeasts2908]

That's great 👍 I had made one years ago , no mouth piece though.... The darts we used a real thin nail & cotton balls , worked okay , I'm going to give yours a try

[@philmeop1215]

Lawn flags work great. You also get about one to three per flag. Since they're metal they're a little heavier but they're way more durable and you can even shave down the end to make a nice Sharp point but I found that if you don't shave it down it actually sticks better into whatever you're shooting at.

[@cookingdude1237]

Great video little brother. Good information

[@shermanhofacker4428]

I have found putting the curve of the tube so the tip is pointing up works well. Even if no curve is detected placing a "sight" on the tip so it is always up creates tighter groups. When I start grouping to the side, often rotating the tube will bring it back to center.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

That's a great idea! I'll have to give that a try.

[@kingdomofholiness678]

Very cool good job!

[@jackjanzen6061]

Thanks for your tips on how to make blowguns and especially the darts. Tim Wells says that half inch copper tubing works good too for the blow guns. Awesome video,keep them coming. I just subscribed.

[@blowgunman1537]

I love tim wells

[@silentwalk1768]

Thanks for the video what are the Dynamics of an arrow it seems they go off of fast for a little bit of air I make lots of s*** but I just don't get the Dynamics

[@maddfiend]

Tim is the man!

[@charlesmay5466]

REALLY ENJOY ALL YOUR VIDEOS

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Thanks!!

[@raymondberry8538]

Good instructional and wonderful!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Thanks!

[@roywittmis6237]

Enjoyed your blowgun vid and would love to see more. BTW #23 exacto blades make for great broadheads.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Roy Wittmis I plan on more in the future! Especially if I get some bad weather days when I can’t do much else.

[@iraa9935]

Good techniques and tips👍🏾

[@MrRedRooster]

Instead of a shaped dowel for cone consistency, you can make a cone out of paper, fill it up with hot glue and stick a pencil into it for better handling. I also use post-it-notes for the first layer and then cover it with duct tape, which makes it stiffer than 2 layers of tape, in my experience.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Good ideas!

[@stevemaurice6356]

Great i truly enjoyed this video

[@Incandescentiron]

Thanks for posting!

[@shalikaamunugama1988]

Great video

[@carlericvonkleistiii2188]

50 years ago, my father made me and my brother a blow gun out of a 5' length of 1/2" copper pipe. He flared the end slightly with a flaring tool to create a mouthpiece. He made darts from short sections of bamboo tomato stakes. The darts were fletched with tufts of yarn, and tipped with nails whose heads had been clipped off. By cutting the bamboo so that there was about 1/2" of empty section in front of the joint (front of dart) and a longer empty section behind the joint (rear of dart), it was possible to insert and glue the nail so that it was supported at its rear against the joint if the bamboo. We made two sizes of dart, one using 1" finishing nails and a section of bamboo about 1 1/2" long, and one using 4d (four penny) finishing nails with a bamboo section about 4" long. The fletching for both was short sections of yarn whipped and glued around the back of the dart. The longer darts would shoot quite a distance, and were great for outdoor shooting. The shorter darts were fun for shooting in the house at short distances. Yarn fletching works quite well on the darts. I still have the blow gun. I made some darts a couple of decades ago, and let my young son shoot them. But I haven't shot it in the years since then.

[@MurderousBiscuitBoi]

Wow

[@chuckaddison5134]

There used to be a candy powder similar to pixie straws but much larger. They made excellent blow pipes for jujubes, another candy.

[@blowgunman1537]

Would love to see another

[@MrTriton67]

Great video. Thorough explanations were easy to follow.

[@ronlittle6397]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@bobcox9836]

Thanks!!! The skewers that you did not use, because they were not straight, can be heated and straightened similar to wooden arrows. And possibly heat treated or hardened. I will try to make me one.

[@bozzskaggs112]

I heat treated the tips of bamboo skewers. The skewers would stick into the trunk of white pines around my property. Those with hardened tips stayed sharper longer and probably penetrated a little deeper.

[@shermanhofacker4428]

Making a tight fitting plug on a ram of some sort and using lapping compound ran back and forth to smooth the inside will gain some speed. An important aspect to consider is the headspace; that's the dead air space between the dart and your mouth, the larger the space the slower you can shoot.

[@pvtsnowball82]

Great video!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Thanks!

[@thomassinclair731]

Big fun, thanks! I made dart cones from milk jugs, as you mention. Heat a spot on the side with a Bic lighter, until it suddenly forms a clearish white circle; then push a plumb bob in as a form. Cut free from the jug by pushing a piece of the metal tube down over the plumb bob point. Shafts were usually drywall nails pushed through the cone with a dab of silicone for weight. These worked very well I thought, but I will try the duct tape cones and bicycle spoke shafts.👍

[@starlingblack814]

Thanks for the video. I used to make darts similar to your method, but then settled on golf tees for the skirt. Sometimes they were too large and would need to size them with a bit of fine sandpaper. I would carefully drill them and add a wire which I flatten into a broadhead, tempered, and sharpened. The blowgun was pvc pipe which was then glued into a bamboo stalk to give the pipe rigidity. I have a couple blowguns that are 8 feet long and pack a wallop. I killed a lot of pigeons with them to rid the neighborhood of pests and make pigeon stew and pot pies.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

That’s great! Thanks for the comment!

[@politicalfoolishness7491]

I like playing with projectile launchers of pretty much all types too. The one I wasn't please with was the projectile that flew from my lathe - it was a near miss and I'm glad of that. 🤣LOL

[@vikramkalikot7571]

Good presentation...

[@kevbrookbank4970]

Brilliant, thank you

[@Eric_Smith2662]

My high school didn't let us have THAT much freedom but there were a bunch of spare pipes for some reason between the band room and the stage and I had already been making dart so suffice to say, lunches were a lot of fun

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

S.E. 18 thanks for watching!

[@thomassinclair731]

You might try raiding the band room for a Trombone mouthpiece. That should be kick-ass on a blowgun!

[@cczseth]

Great vid

[@haroldfoutz5317]

I really liked your video I got a blowgun and I practice on a regular basis.. the blowgun that I have Is the one I got when I was 14yrs old th a t was 1984. I got it from brigade quartermasters.

[@paulharveu526]

Havent played with a blow gun since middle school, but enjoyed the video.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Thanks Paul!

[@HexterTheJexter]

Excellent thanks!

[@jeffreywitherell532]

Yep watched and enjoyed

[@lucasjackson2086]

27-36" of 1/2" pvc with a 3/4" coupling on one end Different sized nails with cigarette butts for flights work great Cut most of the paper off leaving a strip to hold one end together and splay the fibers out A drop of crazy glue under the head of the nail and push it right into the butt

[@nicolemitchell446]

Genius! So simple

[@wl1495]

Love the blowgun content

[@warwizard2870]

In highschool back in '70, '71 time period I would take 3 soda straws on a slightly smaller diameter and two soda straws of a slightly larger diameter and and fit the first ones into the second to make a three soda straw blowgun. I would take straight pins a toothpick (the round ones, some thread glue and a small feather like from an english sparrow). Carve a small notch in the side of the toothpick and fit the head of the pin into the slot and tie the pin down with thread and glue, tie the feather to the other end. the darts would go 40 ft across my band classroom and stick in the wood paneling. I still do blowguns, now using the .6" diameter with the storebought broadhead darts.

[@dalechristopherson1367]

Use the Springsteen Ross out of the harbor freight tennis racket bug zapper and the foam ear plugs ,very effective

[@Yogenh]

I like it a lot

[@danareed1656]

very cool!

[@mystic_tacos]

I just found this video and your channel (subscribed), and I found it fascinating! I would love another installment. Do you have any history with spears or the atlatl? If so maybe try a video on that as well. It's good to throw in an out of the norm video to keep things fresh. :)

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Mystic Fallout thank you! I agree. Will definitely do another blowgun video at some point. I’ve never messed with atlatls but have always wanted to. A possibility for the future, for sure!

[@danielrose2146]

Great video. I know I am a year late to the party but I would really appreciate a tutorial video on those aluminum field points.

[@biilymcgee8942]

Great video! One guy posted about using Bycycle spokes. Have you tried that, and if so, how were they? Thanks!

[@HowardJokela]

I like your video. And YES make more on making your darts, blow gun and other accessories. I would love to see more.

[@dalechristopherson1367]

Use foam ear plugs instead of cones, they expand to fit the tube bore

[@angiewright1984]

love to see an other blowgun vid

[@stevenkruszynski922]

Great video! You may be able to smooth out the inside of the conduit tube by pushing through pieces of steel wool. And go from heavy to fine grade mesh for increased bore smoothness.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Great idea!

[@arizona-4734]

Curious about your history with air guns (use, hunting, what you preferred, what fixes or modifications you’ve done, etc.). Thanks!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Arizona - there will be a video coming out on that very topic within the next few months!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Still haven't gotten around to making this video. But it is coming, promise!

[@katiemorrison3046]

My husband has the slock master viper and he loves it

[@obi_Vision]

Its very good......

[@wileddan]

I've been using inkjet photo paper for cones. Glossy side out for lower friction. 18mm tube / PVC conduit. Water has no effect on the paper, quite stiff and durable. I can get 6 cones out of a 10 X 15 cm sheet. I found a conical former, use sticky tape for the outer adhesive, superglue to attach the cone to the shaft. Shaft about 4 - 5 mm od and about 200 mm long seems to be accurate. I've tried 3 mm carbon fibre up to 6mm dowell and chopsticks (bit heavy) settled on the 4 -5 mm dia.

[@davidhamner5420]

I've used coathanger wire for nice weight, sharpened with a belt sander.

[@davidgoss9967]

Thanks I enjoyed it

[@mindydosztan139]

I used bicycle spokes cut them in half and hammered the tip flat to make a arrow head tip on them kind like the mini broadhead darts but the heads are a lil bigger

[@randallthorpe8963]

Would you gain or lose anything by putting a second cone half way down the shaft? Any seal you lose by the fit of the end cone might be picked up by the one halfway down the shaft. Would a second cone that add too much weight or help with stability in flight?

[@mikevanin1]

Long winded, for sure - but so interesting that I watched it all. Most of it, I watched at 1.75 speed and slowed to normal for the details. Well done! This has certainly motivated me to find out more - and to give it a go!.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikevanin1]

@@johngallagher3732 The author of this video understood me perfectly. Like him, I don't get offended when I'm being long-winded and someone mentions it. Why did you stop reading my comment after those opening words? Now, this is really not meant to be rude - yet I do wonder what people, who write "kinda", do with all the time they saved by not writing "kind of". Do they spend it policing the internet? Just kidding, John! I couldn't resist!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

@@mikevanin1 I did indeed! Several of my favorite content creators are quite long-winded. They include a lot of information and anecdote that may not be interesting to all, but is enjoyed by some. Those that prefer to spend more time on the concrete material are free to skip around the video, and I appreciate those viewers and commenters just the same. Thanks again!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

@@johngallagher3732 Thanks John! But I really took no offense. See my reply to Mike below.

[@Barboler]

Love it

[@yilmadellelegnabebe4825]

Hi this is a great video! Practical on every side of it from making to shooting blowguns. I really like your thoughtful way of presenting the whole thing from start to finish with ideas on shooting as well. I managed to make one from a pvc conduit but the problem is what you mentioned. It sags and this is a big problem. Is there any way round this problem? Can you also provide some comment on short darts vis a vis long ones. Perhaps some idea on aiming would be good as well. Thanks very much.

[@jamesstewart5371]

Duct tape a broom stick to the bottom of the pipe to prevent it from bending

[@tobytillotson9246]

very cool

[@edragon6591]

Awesome vid and content. You mentioned that 10' was too long , why? I was thinking 3-4' would be more optimal. What are the plus and minus of diff lengths? Would you get more compression if you had a wider mouthpiece to maybe a reducer ... 3/4" to 1/2" for the mouthpiece?

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

ed ragon The length debate on blowguns can be a long one. Different lengths are better for different things. You can get a pretty decent dart speed out of a 10’ blowgun, if your lungs have the strength to push it that far. The back pressure can be enough to physically damage your lungs though if your not careful. Any pressure in the alveoli greater than 30-40 cmH2O can cause damage, and blowgun shooting already causes a brief period of high PEEP (peak end expiratory pressure.) Also, when we used a piece of conduit that long, we had to use some sort of rest to hold the blowgun up. It’s not a very practically-sized object to move around with. I do like shorter blowguns in the 3-4 foot range, but you’ll find that the velocity decreases. Everything is a trade off. As for the mouthpiece: Think of your mouth as the reducer from your trachea and pharynx. Adding a wider mouthpiece would only make the reducer slightly longer, with little to no effect.

[@davidhamner5420]

Wooden dowels can be eurathaned to help keep them from warping.

[@danielcarpenter4107]

Great video! Really enjoyed it. Any opinion on copper pipe? Thanks

[@torrotorro1944]

Yup, I was thinking the same thing. I would imagine so. Gonna go that route. Looks like fun. This young man is brilliant.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Sorry, didn't see this comment until now. I have used copper pipe in the past. 1/2 inch copper pipe is actually about 1/2" in ID. So .50 caliber. It works great! A little less "umph" in my experience than the .625 ID pipe. The copper pipe does bend easier, so you have to be a little more careful not to smack it against doorways, trees, etc. It's also harder to find a straight piece at the hardware store.

[@rabbithomesteading3797]

Heck yea! Tim Wells! World best primitive hunter we all should know about! Make sure its straight by putting on floor and see how it rolls is better then eyes. Well mine. lol Make sure your pipe dont have the seam running down inner part. Honestly Id say find a bore where you can buy darts to work with. They are cheap and effective. Then play around if you are interested into making your own. Which is awesome! You can always play with making your own. But will alway have the backup of paying for effective darts. Mine I bought, but big bore. .625. I would love to see if that is less effective or more, compared to .50 inch caliber. It seems smaller might be quicker. I mean less volume for same speed. Makes since to me but IDK in real world if even matters or .... I did like and sub because you mention Tim Wells! It is also very education video! TY Hopefully my comments also help people as much as your video does! Few live but we all die! Live it up!

[@LKH9Channel]

I love blowgun videos. My blowgun sounds like gunshot, not silent at all.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Might try a longer tube, and possibly looser cones. Either that or a different cone material. When I was shooting the 2-4 footers, I got that loud pop as well.

[@LKH9Channel]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist heavier darts give louder explosion. You can hear that pop in my videos

[@Chaos------]

You want a broad cutting head. A proper dart thats well placed can drop a buffalo reliably. They fly quit fast and have enough kinetic energy to peirce the heart or multiple critical organs.

[@utubeu8129]

your content was great to me

[@gregspangler5155]

good job excelent fun

[@falcaoperegrino1487]

🇧🇷 perfect dards 👍👏👏

[@kb3svj]

The idea of numbering darts is a good idea. The wooden form is a helpful tool to get consistently uniform cones.

[@loneninja]

A plumb Bob works too.

[@gregorypusz2739]

Blowgun vids rock 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@donjohnson7189]

Might I suggest that you use "Prussian Blue". You can purchase a small tube for a couple of bucks at your local automotive parts store.😉

[@darkpassenger65]

Wow, I'm surprised with the velocity that thing puts out. Think I'll make one.

[@scottjohnson9225]

I like my blow guns to be 6 1/2 to 7 foot long for extreme accuracy. I like to use bamboo skewers from store for darts. Exacto #23 blades make good hunting points.

[@IntexCrocodile]

Blowgun building idea: metal pipe with the pvc inlayer. Will be straight and smooth at the same time.