How do you convert soft-tip darts to steel-tip darts?

You love the authentic feel and precise flight of steel darts – but don't want to completely replace your expensive soft-tip dart set? Perhaps you have a favorite soft-tip dart that just feels perfect in your hand, and you're wondering: Could it also shine on a classic dartboard? Or maybe you're just starting out and are faced with the agony of choice: soft-tip or steel-tip darts?

Fortunately, there's an ingenious and, most importantly, cost-effective solution to all these questions: conversion points. In this blog post, we'll show you how to transform your soft-tip darts into full-fledged steel-tip darts in just a few steps and what to look out for.

The Key to Transformation: Conversion Points

The fundamental difference between soft-tip and steel-tip darts lies in the point: steel-tip dart points are made of rigid, sharp metal that penetrates the sisal; soft-tip darts have a flexible plastic tip that is detected by the holes of an electronic dartboard.
Conversion points (also called dart point adapters or adapter tips) are the bridge between these two worlds. They are metal soft-tip dart points (2BA) that have the same thread (2BA) as your original soft-tip points. However, at their end, they feature a classic, steel-sharp needle. You simply unscrew the plastic tip of your dart and replace it with a conversion point – and your dart is ready for the steel-tip dartboard.

How to Change the Tips Correctly

Changing them is incredibly easy, but requires a little finesse.

1. Get a secure grip: Hold the dart barrel.

2. Remove the old tip: Carefully unscrew the old plastic tip counter-clockwise. If it's stuck, a small dart wrench can help – but always with protection to avoid damaging the thread.

3. Attach the new steel tip: Take the conversion point and screw it clockwise firmly into the barrel's thread. Hand-tight is perfectly sufficient; excessive force can damage the thread.

The Underrated Hero: Rubber Rings on the Thread

An often overlooked but crucial detail is the tiny rubber rings on the thread. These O-rings sit in a small groove at the base of the point or shaft. Their purpose is to wedge the connection between the barrel and the point (or barrel and shaft), thus preventing the components from loosening due to the constant vibrations upon impact.
Always check whether your new 2BA steel-tip dart point set includes such a rubber ring or if the one from your old soft tip can be reused. A missing O-ring will definitely cause your tip to loosen after a few throws and get stuck in the board – a real nuisance.

What to Consider: The Subtle Difference

Even if the conversion is mechanically simple, there are small practical adjustments.

• Weight change: A metal tip is usually slightly heavier than a plastic tip. This shifts the center of gravity of your dart minimally forward. This can affect the flight behavior. Test the new darts in a relaxed round first to get used to the slightly changed feel.
• Compatibility: Make sure that the conversion points you buy have the correct thread. The 2BA standard is by far the most common, but other, rarer threads like 1/4 BSF also exist.
  How can you reliably determine which thread your barrel has? Here's a simple trick: Most dart arrows have a 2BA thread. If you are unsure, simply use one of your dart shafts as a test tool. All standard dart shafts have a 2BA thread. Unscrew a shaft and try to screw it into the thread at the front end of the barrel – where the soft-tip dart usually sits. If the shaft fits, your barrel has a 2BA thread on both sides, and you can use any standard conversion point. However, if the thread in the barrel is larger and the shaft cannot be screwed in, then your dart arrow most likely has a 1/4 BSF thread, and you will need specially fitting points for it.
• The right board: Remember! Once the metal tip is assembled, your dart is only suitable for classic sisal boards. Throwing it at an electronic board would irreparably damage it. Keep your sets clearly separated and never play with steel tips on an electronic dartboard.

Conclusion: More Variety Without Major Investment

Conversion points are a fantastic invention for all dart players who love flexibility. They allow you to experience both worlds with your familiar and beloved barrels – the modern world of electronic scoring and the traditional world of classic steel-tip dart throwing. It's a cost-effective way to expand your arsenal without having to buy completely new darts. For beginners, it's also an inexpensive way to find the right darts.