Restoring a Mega-Dart MX-5 Blowgun Dart Pistol
Many times items are acquired that need restoration in order to work properly. Such is the case with a Mega-Dart MX-5 blowgun that I purchased. A few minor parts such as the trigger guard, a few screws, and the original camo wrapping were missing but more importantly the MX-5 wasn't building any air pressure. The original piston seal though cosmetically perfect no longer sealed the compression tube with enough force to propel a dart out of the barrel. So a new piston was made incorporating common Buna o-rings as the sealing media. The series of photos below document the restoration process.
The primary tools used to make the piston were a Sherline lathe and a Taig milling machine. The interior of the compression tube was smoothed with a swab of Scotchbrite pad attached to a wooden dowel rotated by an electric drill inside the tube. The residual adhesive left behind from the original camo tape was removed with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol with no ill effects to the plastic components.
The primary tools used to make the piston were a Sherline lathe and a Taig milling machine. The interior of the compression tube was smoothed with a swab of Scotchbrite pad attached to a wooden dowel rotated by an electric drill inside the tube. The residual adhesive left behind from the original camo tape was removed with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol with no ill effects to the plastic components.
*Click on any image for a larger view.
