This isn't really a question or anything. But I just thought I would vent in here about how much it sucks to have only a working lame. I have two electric foils, both of which are broken, and I have two body cords, and guess what...both of those are broken as well.
__________________ Exciting news- before even finishing Chem I, I have already received an invitation to work as a research assistant!
Oh yes - missing tip screws, A-C shorts, broken wires both along the blade and at the socket (I got the ultimate one recently - a wire breakage just below the barrel). Enough to drive you crazy
I used to share your feelings. As I got better at repairing, though, I look at it like, oh well, time to fix my weapon. I think I went through about 6 foil wires and an equal number of epee wires until I got it down correctly. It just takes a bit of time and practice. I think every fencer on this board who repairs their own stuff has or had a step during the repair process that they thought was horrific. For me, it was wrapping the wire around the nut in the socket and tightening it down.
I used to dread that part, and virtually prayed through the entire process.
Perhaps it is time to update fencing hardware. The link below shows a relatively new device on the mass market. The Everswitch is a sealed piezoelectric switch operating at 3-24V, and only $10-20. Aparently switches are set for varying amounts of pressure to trigger the circuit.
Imagine - no more springs or screws.
Trade Name
Everswitch®
Properties
Explosion proof
No moving parts
Water proof
Dust proof
Virtually unlimited cycles (tested for 50 million cycles)
Websites & Resources
Baran Advanced Technology - varieties of Everswitches
Radiatron Tactile Feedback Piezo Switch
Or change to sabre, lot less electric stuff to worry about...
__________________ With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter
Perhaps it is time to update fencing hardware. The link below shows a relatively new device on the mass market. The Everswitch is a sealed piezoelectric switch operating at 3-24V, and only $10-20. Aparently switches are set for varying amounts of pressure to trigger the circuit.
Imagine - no more springs or screws.
Trade Name
Everswitch®
Properties
Explosion proof
No moving parts
Water proof
Dust proof
Virtually unlimited cycles (tested for 50 million cycles)
Websites & Resources
Baran Advanced Technology - varieties of Everswitches
Radiatron Tactile Feedback Piezo Switch
I looked it up - but didn't see any versions smaller than a dime in diameter. Now if they made a package that fit like a conventional barrel and connected to regular wires....Oh, and the "on " resistance is 10 ohms. Then there's still the no-travel issue and FIE's acceptance of a new design.
no no no, piezoelectric switches can do a lot of things if they're custom created to do so. i think if these guys were willing to custom do some stuff for us which would effectively take over the market if done correctly, the cost to cusomize the tips would be nothing compared to the profit they could make
I tell ya, sometimes it feels like you can never get away from electrical problems no matter how much working equipment you have. The last epee event I went to, I went over and over my weapons to make sure everything was working..then for my seeding pool after I hooked up first bout I went through five bad reels on my side in a row that had to be replaced. Everyone who lost on my side must of been kicking themself after it happened for not realizing it in time.
I have to agree with Suregrip there. Learn to repair and maintain your own equipement. Once you get the hang of it, it takes very little time, and your equipment breaks less because you know how to maintain it.
But let me put it to you in another way... A friend of mine once was asked by his mother WHY fencing (electric) was so expensive and he stopped, looked at her, and said,
"Imagine you are buying highly sensitive electrical equipment, and then using it to beat the other guy about the head with." And we expect it not to break??
Weapon repair is a Zen experience. You can get someone to do it for you, or do it yourself. You don't have to like it, you just have to DO it. You can complain, that's OK, but you have to learn. It's like the world, it is a mystery, but the rule never changes. It's just the flow of electrons, or not. You can drag it out in time, or teach yourself to become fast, and detached. It's all technique.
Weapon repair is a Zen experience. You can get someone to do it for you, or do it yourself. .... It's just the flow of electrons, or not.
Please... write the book: Zen and the Art of Fencing Weapon Maintainence
For some people, it helps to think about electricity as if its pluming - the pipes have to be connected to get the water to flow. If that doesn't help there is a lot of very clear info and accurate descriptions of fencing equipment at the How Stuff Works website: http://entertainment.howstuffworks.c...-equipment.htm
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