Nerf
From Free net encyclopedia
- For information about nerf as used in computer gaming, see Nerf (computer gaming).
- For information about nerfs in Star Wars, see Creatures of Star Wars.
Image:Nerfer.jpgNerf is a foam-plastic material used in childsafe toys. Produced by a division of Hasbro, the Nerf line contains hundreds of projectile-launchers.
Originally introduced by Parker Brothers in 1969 as an indoor-safe ball created by Reynolds Guyer, it was an instant fad. Sales of the balls mounted to four million in the year of their inception. Later, the range of Nerf products expanded through the Super Soaker company to include mock weapons that fired Nerf ammo, such as rifles and pistols.
Contents |
Nerf Weapons
Nerf weapons became popular with technology workers in the US in the 1990s, to the point that on-line stores aimed at this crowd (ThinkGeek, for one) started including Nerf products. The Nerf weapons were typically used in cube warfare. As this community of Nerf users contained many people who customize hardware and software for fun, a large Nerf modding movement soon appeared.
Some enthusiasts have made their own blasters predominantly out of PVC and/or brass tubing. An example of this can be seen in the fast action rifle or FAR, designed and made by boltsniper of the NIC (Nerf Internet community). Boltsniper is the leader as far as more complex homemades go (see e.g. his latest rifle). However, Nerf homemades can also be very simple, comprised of only a ball valve and some PVC. Then there are those in between boltsniper's rifles, and the simplistic guns like cxwq's BAMF, or Carbon's SNAP.
A type of inexpensive homemade dart called the Stefan Dart was developed by Stefan Mohr in 1995. Materials to create these darts include foam backer rod (also known as caulk saver or, less formally, "FBR"), fishing weights, 1/4" slingshot ammo, BBs, or similar, and hot glue. An instrument, usually the tip of a hot glue gun, a soldering iron or a drill, is also used to create a hole in the back of the dart, allowing air to build up in the pocket and giving it more power, similar to minié balls. This type of dart is more aerodynamic than standard Nerf suction cups darts, so it travels farther and straighter. Stefans are inexpensive, costing about $0.03 each in materials, compared to Nerf darts which can be anywhere from $0.25 to $0.50 per dart.
Nerfing modification
Separate groups of 'Nerfers' tend to discover the ability to modify Nerf guns for increased performance. These people find a community on the Internet, sharing tips and ideas for modifications. There are several primary modifications that are done to Nerf blasters. These include: barrel replacement, disabling over-pressure release valves, and rubber banding or spring replacement.
One of the more common modifications is to replace the barrel for improved accuracy, efficiency, and range. The material the barrel is replaced with creates a perfect seal with the dart. Progressive barreling uses tighter seal at the back than the front so that more pressure is able to build behind the dart before release. The only problem with this type of modification is that it tends to increase reload time because the dart must be placed into the tighter barrel which is more difficult and slows one down during the heat of battle. This progressive barreling practice is also referred to as "nesting". The most common barreling material for progressive barrels is brass which is found at hobby shops and typically used with diameters of 9/16” for the main barrel and 17/32” for the tighter barrel. Nesting has also been done using Crayola marker bodies, fitted into 1/2" PVC. While not quite as effective as brass nesting, Crayola/PVC nesting is a potential alternative to those without access to brass materials. Other barreling materials for non-progressive barrels include PETG, CPVC and PVC. Others have been used but are much less well known.
Image:Overpressure.jpg Disabling the over-pressure release valve increases the possible tank pressure in air blasters. Most Nerf guns with an air tank will have a hole in the pump for excess air to escape. By plugging this hole, more air is allowed to be pumped into the tank, which in turn allows more pressure to build up behind the dart. The drawback of plugging the gap is that the air tank has the potential to rupture after being pumped too many times.
Spring replacement and rubber banding of spring powered blasters is used to increase the speed at which the air is released. This is done by replacing the weak, stock spring with a much heavier one. In the case of banding, an elastic band is placed along the plunger shaft, in effect doing the same job as a heavier spring. However, going through with either of these methods of modification may result in permanent damage to both the case and the internals.
Electric Nerf guns can be modified to take higher voltage or have faster motors. The Mech Six for example can have its voltage increased from a measly 4.5 volts to 12 volts or so for extra power. You can set it up to use a car battery or plug into a wall and watch your darts soar. Darts may be torn to pieces by the faster motors however.
List of Nerf Blasters and other imitations
This is an incomplete alphabetical list of Nerf Blasters and their imitations:
- Airtech 1000
- Airtech 2000
- Airtech 3000
- Airtech 4000
- Arrowstorm
- Ball Blaster
- Ballzooka
- Batman's Blaster (official Nerf)
- Big Bad Bow
- Blast-a-Ball
- Blast-a-Matic
- Lanard Big Salvo
- Lanard Blast Bazooka
- Blastfire
- Airzone Boss Bow
- Bow 'n Arrow
- Chainblazer
- Coral Viper
- Crossfire
- Airzone Crossbow
- Crossbow
- Dart Tag Blaster
- Double Crossbow
- Eagle Eye
- Electric Eel
- Expand-a-Blast
- Firefly
- Firestrike
- Lanard First Shot
- Gyrostrike Crossbow
- Hidden Shot
- Hornet
- Jango Fett Blaster
- Laser Fang
- Lightnin' Blitz
- Lanard Lightning Ball Blaster
- Lock 'n Load
- Long Shot
- Magstrike
- Maverick
- Lanard Max Shot
- Lanard Mech Six
- Motorized Ballzooka
- Monoblast
- Nerf Blaster 1 (NB-1)
- Nite Finder
- Nite Finder Ex-3
- Pop Dartz Squeeze Shot
- PowerClip
- Rapid Fire 20
- Buzz Bee Toys Rapid Fire Rifle
- Reactor/Airtech Ball Blaster
- Lanard Rev Shot
- Rototrack
- Scout
- Secret Shot
- Secret Strike Pocket Blaster/Secret Target Strike
- SharpShooter
- SharpShooter II
- Sneakshot
- Splitfire
- SuperMAXX 500
- SuperMAXX 700/750
- SuperMAXX 1500 (old and new editions)
- SuperMAXX 3000 Blue, Green and Yellow
- SuperMAXX 2000/5000
- SuperMAXX Disk Shooter
- Switch Shots Super
- Switch Shots Ultra
- Switch Shots Max
- Tech Target
- Airzone Tek 6
- Airzone Tek 10
- Titan
- Airzone Triple Mech
- Lanard Triple Shot
- Two Towers Uruk-Hai Crossbow
- Mattel Ultimator
- Vortex Firestorm
- Vortex Tornado
- Vortex Tornado X/2
- Wildfire
- Warthog
- XXL Bazooka
Nerf Wars
Nerf wars are organized get-togethers of people who share the hobby of modifying Nerf guns, and are places where they can then use their creations in war-game-style play.
Many have become quite successful annual events, such as Armageddon (Southern California), Apocalypse (New Jersey) and SENO (South-Eastern Nerf Out; Alabama; bi-annual). Others happen multiple times throughout the year, at roughly the same designated times, such as YANO (Yet Another Nerf Out), which happens every other month or so in Southern California, and CAFF (California Foam Fest), which occurs once in the spring, and once in the fall, also in Southern California. DCNO (DC Nerf-out) is a relatively new major war that happens once in the spring and once in the summer. Still others are simply groups of friends who get together on a weekend to enjoy some friendly, harmless, challenging play.
You need not attend a large, organized gathering such as Armageddon or SENO to enjoy Nerfing, but they are excellent places to develop your skills if you are seriously considering the hobby for the long-term.
Related usages
"Nerf" can be the act of deliberately removing access to an object, source, or information.
Nerf can be used as an adjective to define an object or activity involving Nerf weapons. For example, a "Nerf war" is an organized battle using Nerf weapons. Some modern corporations use these for stress relief and to boost morale.
"Nerf" is also frequently used by members of the Nerfing community as a verb. "To Nerf" is basically synonymous with "to participate in a Nerf war".
Nerf can also be used as a verb (typically in online role playing games) to mean "make less powerful", implying that the "real" thing was replaced by foam. For example, "Rogues were nerfed in the latest patch" or "Wow, they totally nerfed that quest reward." See Nerf (computer gaming) for more information.
External links
- Official Website - Official Nerf website.
- NerfCenter - Comprehensive stock reviews of most pre-2004 Nerf blasters.
- NerfHQ - Discussion-based forums.
- Nerf Haven - Advanced Modification Forums, Homemade Nerf guns.Template:Toys-stub</pre>