Dart accessories explained, flights, shafts, points and more

When you start playing darts, you will quickly notice that there are many different accessories besides darts themselves. Think of flights, shafts, dart points and wallets. There are also tools such as repointing machines, flight lock tools and dartboard levelers.

These accessories help you improve your dart setup, extend the lifespan of your equipment and optimise your overall playing experience.

In this guide we explain the most important dart accessories.

Flights and flight accessories

Flights are available in different shapes, sizes and thicknesses. The most common shape is the standard flight. These flights are available in several thicknesses such as:

• 75 micron
• 100 micron
• 125 micron
• 130 micron
• 150 micron

The thicker the flight, the stronger it usually is. Thicker flights generally last longer, but they are also slightly heavier which can increase the total weight of your dart.

Besides the standard shape there are also other flight shapes such as:

• Pear
• Kite
• Slim
• Big Wing

There are also L-Style flights. These are durable flights that keep their shape and are often used without a flight protector.

Another development is integrated flight systems. In these systems the flight and shaft are combined into one piece. This helps flights stay in place better and means they need to be replaced less often.

Flight protectors and flight lock tools

To make sure flights get damaged less quickly you can use flight protectors. These small protectors are placed at the back of the flight and help prevent damage when darts collide with each other.

There is also a flight punch machine. With this tool you can place a small ring into the shaft so that the flight stays much more securely in place. This helps prevent flights from falling out of the shaft during play.

Shafts

Shafts are the part between the flight and the barrel of your dart. They are available in different materials and lengths.

The most commonly used shafts are nylon shafts. These shafts are relatively inexpensive and available in different lengths such as:

• X-short
• Short
• Inbetween
• Medium

There are also shafts made from aluminium or titanium. These shafts are usually slightly heavier but generally last longer than nylon shafts.

Which shaft length suits you best depends on your throw and the balance of your dart. Many players test different lengths to find out what works best for them.

Dart points and point accessories

Dart points can wear down or become smooth over time. When this happens darts may not stick in the board as well.

With a dart sharpener you can lightly roughen the points so they gain more grip in the dartboard again. This can help reduce bounce-outs.

You can also choose to install new dart points in your darts or have them replaced.

Repointing machine

With a repointing machine you can easily remove dart points from your darts and install new ones. This is useful when your points are worn out or when you want to use a different point length.

Quick points

Besides standard dart points there are also quick point systems. With these systems you can easily unscrew and replace dart points without using a repointing machine. This allows you to quickly switch between different point lengths.

Dart wallets

A dart wallet is ideal for safely storing and transporting your darts and accessories. In a wallet you can usually store not only your darts, but also spare flights, shafts and other accessories.

Wallets are available in different sizes. There are small wallets that easily fit in your pocket and larger wallets where you can store multiple sets of darts and accessories.

Dartboard accessories

Besides accessories for darts themselves there are also tools designed for your dartboard.

Dartboard leveler

A dartboard leveler helps you hang your dartboard perfectly straight. By using a dartboard leveler you prevent your dartboard from hanging crooked, which is important for a fair and consistent throw.

Conclusion

Dart accessories play an important role in your dart setup. Flights, shafts and dart points all directly influence how your darts fly and how comfortable you play.

Tools such as a repointing machine, flight lock tool or dartboard leveler can also make maintaining your darts and dartboard much easier.

By testing different accessories you will discover which combination works best for your playing style.