ONE -- SOLID Pool Noodle Blank--roughly 5.5 to 5.75 inches long
(I sell mine in sections approximately 28 1/2ish inch sections that are "UPS'able Each section can be cut into 5 pieces )
Don't EVEN think of using those that have the hole thru them! Not Allowed
ONE—2 ½ inch OD x 1/8 inch thick leather washer disks
The special disk to add the support for the shafting
ONE-- 1-5/16 / 1-3/8 inch – 1/8” thick leather washer disk
(The rules say, yellow poly pipe is normally 1 5/16th in diameter.)
(You can use 1-5/16th disks BUT the larger diameter is for safety if you want it)
ONE-- half of a cutup tennis ball (optional)
It makes a nice "THUMP" as it hits without hurting (adds 1 oz of weight)
When you see the tape.. All of it is 2 inch wide . NOT the 1 3/4 inch width tape, it does make a difference in the way the taping, layers, and weight goes. NOTE: 1 foot of tape adds .1 lb
Watch how much you use, it adds up quickly!
1. Take a section of Pool Noodle and cut it into 5 equal pieces (a full Pool Noodle you will get 10 pieces) and each "noodle" will vary in length, so measuring is a GOOD thing. Noodle color may vary and does not mean a thing.
2. One piece will look like this (5.5 to 5.75 inches long)
Cut a piece 1 ¾ to 2 inches wide for the collar.
Leaving a piece over 3 ½ to 4 inches
long for the nose.
3. Here is a picture of the shape you will need if you use a half tennis ball for a tip. I use a belt sander to shape the foam so the tennis ball fits over the tip.
BUT remember you need to have 4" distance from the tip of the FOAM, not the tennis ball, to the bottom of the 1.25 inch hole you will cut next.
(Society minimum is 3")
Make sure it is a snug fit so it will NOT slide around or it may rip off.
The extra time and care will make a better tip and they will last longer.
4. Cut an 1 ¼ inch hole thru the center of the collar section for a snug fit over the shaft and near the leather washer
using a 1-1/4" SHARP forstner drill bit.
(NOTE: I do mean center!)
5. On the top of the shaft, you will need to place one or two 1-3/8th inch diameter by 1/8" thick minimum (1-5/16" diameter is Society minimum) HARD leather disks.
Yes the hole in the foam is smaller, but will stretch to allow the disk to go to the bottom and then wll be a snug fit on the shaft when taped.
6. Use two pieces of strapping tape seal the tube 1st before attaching the washers to the siloflex shaft. it keeps water from getting to the washers
(Showing mine with two washers)
Sand a bevel from ¼ inch from the 1 ¼ hole thru to ½ to ¾ inch up the side of the collar to help allow the tip to have a good fit and aerodynamics
(as good as a plastic pipe with foam can get.)
Hmmmm
Somewhere along here I might tell you if you cut 3 inches off your ballista shafts,
you may save .8 of a pound
(that is if you are using 160 psi yellow.)
Ok – Slide the beveled collar up the ballista shaft and make sure it is flush with the leather disk.
Ok – Put the 2 ½ X 1/8 inch leather disk on top of the collar assembly and secure it by (2) crossed strips of strapping tape.
Then take a (2) short strips and wind it up from just below the collar on the shaft toward the 2 ½ leather disk squeezing it down slightly to secure the collar to the shaft.
I put the tip on top of the collar assembly and use 6 short strips to secure it overlapping by ½ inch. Then do the strips over the top of the tip to the bottom of the collar and about 2”more making sure it’s snug.
And a small strip (not shown) over the bottom of the tape and up the collar securing it.
There are 3 wraps of strapping tape that start about an inch below the junctions of the two sections and overlap each other about ¾ inches toward the tip to keep it from bulging at impact.
Now add strips over the top of the noodle tip with yellow "duct tape", making sure you overlap on the top and sides.
Add 1 to 2 small strips of yellow "duct tape" starting from the bottom of the tape and go up to to the bottom of the foam locking the first layer of duct tape onto the shaft.
I add (1) strip around the middle to help the strapping tape keep it all from bulging out.
I may not need it, but will see over time..
Please Note: Fins are OPTIONAL as of this date. (6/1/2008) but the following Society rule applies.
“Javelins (bolts) must be stable in flight or have fletching made from flexible material to make them stable in flight.” If they fly really out of control, you really may need fins or you may not be allowed to shoot!!
They are a good thing.
Make sure they DO NOT weigh more than 16 oz or they will FAIL!!!
Weigh & check them BEFORE you go to an event, so you don’t look foolish!
Check them each time you pull them out!!
Make sure all of your bolts are identified in readable English with your name, group, and kingdom.
(Society minimum is 3") 
