epee barrel questions

[glowstix]

ok, my epee barrels seem to be coming loose a lot. do i use glue to tighen them or just use pliers?? if i use super glue or anything similar, how do get the barrel off if i need to re-wire??

[MyraTrue]

Glowstix:

you've got a couple of choices if you don't want to rewire your blade right now. You can keep tightening the tip, but it will most likely keep loosening up.

I've had some luck using a low viscosity (ie, very runny) superglue on loose barrels. You can apply a little around the base of the barrel, and if the tip is already loose, tighten and loosen it up (no more than its already loose, or you chance breaking the wires). Cappilary action helps pull the glue into the threads... tighten: pray the epee Gods like you. When you need to re-wire, you use a pair of plyers to remove to tip, just like normal, and it will come free. The glue doesn't complicate things.

Also, you can glue the tip when you're putting the weapon together. I like loc-tite (blue, the NON permament stuff). I've never had problems with barrels coming loose after that. Just a little on the threads, tighten the barrel down, and good to go.

Hope you can make something work for you.

[The Armourer]

I support the prevous advice. On the tightening I always use a pair of pliers to hold the blade just beneath the barrel and then use some locking pliers (mole grips we call them in the UK) to grip and tighten the barrel. Never leave the tightening until the barrel becomes really loose as you risk having the wires detaching from the connector/pins in the tip. Its obvious but always check the weapon still works after tightening - there is always the risk that you have pulled a wire out and a rewire will be necessary.

The Armourer

[sword_fixer]

When tightening, its best to use a small spanner at the base of the barrel. If its stuck when releaseing, put a small (flat sided to avoid damage) bar through the grub screw holes.

Avoid using superglue unless its an emergency for securing the barrel, but locknut is best for this when rewiring blades