Foam Fork v1.3 (dart pickup tool)

Pick up darts by wedging them between the fork prongs. Can collect 3x7 darts in one run.  

You will need a ½x24" inch dowel rod from any craft store (with option to use 16mm barrels too). The bore for inserting the dowels are meant to be a tape-fit on. Wrap a strip of scotch tape around the ends of the wooden rod until they secure in place. This is meant to accommodate variations in dowel diameters and print settings. 

Hinge: There is now a twist locking hinge. Cut your dowel in half to make it collapsible. Print with 6 walls

Dowel Rod: There's now a printable 255mm (10 inch) long dowel rod option that stretches most print beds. Print it flat, then fold and glue it. You can scale it then orient it diagonally for an even longer one.  

Recommended heatproof material: PETG/PCTG/PolymakerHT-PLA. The fork prongs are tuned specifically for the gentlest application of force; any heat damage can warp it out of function because they are thin. You can print in PLA, just note that you may have to heat bend it back in place with a lighter should you leave it in a hot car. The model is pre-oriented and has features making it favorable to print because long objects are prone to lifting. Still recommend using +5°deg hotter bed to prevent curling.

Tips

• You can scale the model in the slicer in the long direction to increase fork capacity.

• The holes in the handle are for darts. When folded, they keep the fork from wobbling.

• Try to evenly distribute darts in all 3 columns as you pick up. The darts in neighboring slots push out the prongs to enhance the grip (filling just one column will have that column only hold 5 darts.)

• If darts fail to grab, chances are the foam diameter is worn beyond usability and should be discarded. This makes the foam fork a good gauge for filtering dart quality from community pools. 

• Additionally, you can secure the fork end in place with m2.6 (or “Nerf” shell screws).

• Thank you DartDevil for blessing and inspiration

Changelog

[2025-02-09] Added 16mm shaft bore version so you can use old barrels or CPVC instead of wooden dowel.

[2025-10-07] Version 1.1, improved structure. Removed some of the anti-curling cuts, and beefed them up so they won't shatter along that point. 

[2025-10-17] v1.2, Uploaded STEPs, beefed up reinforcements in the anti-curling cuts even more. 

[2026-01-23] Added a twist lock hinge

[2026-04-10] V1.3. Better Handle: simpler, no more fractures from the anti-curling features. Thicker Fork. Added a feature on the handle where you can insert darts to keep the fork locked while folded.   

[2026-07-12] Added a printable dowel rod. Instructions above.