Place to buy dies

[cowpaste]

I broke off a few foil blade tips, and I would like to obtain a die (and die holder) to cut new threads to make a new tip. I've visited the local Home Depot and Lowe's, but they are stupid idiots that sell only "American" system die/taps. It freaking pisses me off. God damned stubborn "I am the best in the world. We do not need to change" mentalities SO LET'S BE DIFFICULT TO MAKE SURE OUR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, AND EVERYTHING ELSE ARE NON-COMPATIBLE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

It wouldn't matter anyway if they did sell metric stuff because they only sold taps and dies in GINORMOUS sets that cost like $100. So, does anyone know of an online hardware vendor where I could purchase ONE die holder and ONE 3.5[mm]/.6[mm] die?

By the way, I've checked with thefencingpost, but they ran out.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Originally Posted by cowpaste

I broke off a few foil blade tips, and I would like to obtain a die (and die holder) to cut new threads to make a new tip. I've visited the local Home Depot and Lowe's, but they are stupid idiots that sell only "American" system die/taps. It freaking pisses me off. God damned stubborn "I am the best in the world. We do not need to change" mentalities SO LET'S BE DIFFICULT TO MAKE SURE OUR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, AND EVERYTHING ELSE ARE NON-COMPATIBLE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

It wouldn't matter anyway if they did sell metric stuff because they only sold taps and dies in GINORMOUS sets that cost like $100. So, does anyone know of an online hardware vendor where I could purchase ONE die holder and ONE 3.5[mm]/.6[mm] die?

By the way, I've checked with thefencingpost, but they ran out.

I've purchased some at harbor freight, but they were for tangs. As for the legalitys and rules of cutting new threads onto a broken blade tip... I think it might be a little bit iffy, but its not like you'd get caught unless they decided to measure blades.

[DHCJr]

Originally Posted by D+F+P=Hadouken!

I've purchased some at harbor freight, but they were for tangs. As for the legalitys and rules of cutting new threads onto a broken blade tip... I think it might be a little bit iffy, but its not like you'd get caught unless they decided to measure blades.

Why do you say it would be iffy even if they measured blades. There is a minimum length (implied), but you would need to cut off at least 4" from the shortest blade made to be illegal. They will have no problem with legality. There is the problem of making use of the die. One thing to note, the threads are made BEFORE the groove is cut. You will need to temporarily fill in the groove before you try and thread.

I have had better luck with the smaller indepedent harware stores for finding metric.

[Purple Fencer]

Save yourself the hair loss and just buy a new blade....easier on the nerves...

But, like Don says...small hardware stores sell them. Just make SURE you get the right size (which slips my mind at the moment...)

[HDG]

I just ordered a die and die-stock from blade;American Fencing & LP also carry them as well as a couple others I'm drawing a blank on. Don't take my word, though, I'm one of those 12X24 people -- Santelli blades...

Alternately, try Sears, they seld metric and US singly and in sets.

[beeyeelelwhy]

Look on ebay too, although not always reliable, my dad bought a set of 50 good quality still in their packaging taps and dies, of all sizes metric and "American" for about 15 dollars. I'm sure you can find them separatly.

[neevel]

McMaster-Carr- you can find pretty much anything there. Also,Micro-Mark will have them, along with a variety of other useful things for armory. Otherwise, like Donald and Sam have said, look for a small hardware store-- independents are good, but most cities will have one or two well-established Ace or True Value franchises that are also good. You can pretty much forget about places like Home Depot-- they don't bother stocking anything that's even remotely uncommon.

I'd also agree with Sam that it's really not worth the bother, especially on a non-FIE blade. You'll need to do something like laying in a sufficiently thick bit of (unstranded) wire into the groove and securing it with a bit of solder. If the groove isn't filled, the die will hang up on the edges, and trying to force it will both mess up the threads and potentially damage the die.

FWIW, I've spent the last 6 months setting up domestic production and sourcing spares for a device that was originally designed in France, and I concur entirely on the whole SI vs. English thing. I just took deliverly of 24 spare compressors, but they didn't come with the threaded hose barbs to hook up the air-line tubing to. Not even McMaster lists hose barbs that have the right threading (G-1/8, as opposed to the US-standard NPT for such fittings). I finally found a place that may be able to get them (Maryland Metrics if anyone need a source for metric parts), but I suspect it may end up being cheaper and simpler to just have someone from the Paris branch just buy a bunch and mail them over.

[cowpaste]

I would love to just buy new blades, but I have 2 FIE blades with broken off tips. Thanks for everybody's help by the way.

From the posts above, it is apparent that I need to fill in the blade groove somehow. Is just pure solder okay? What about super glue? Also, neevel, what do you mean by "unstranded?" Does that mean uninsulated?

I'll think I'll try Sears tomorrow. I'm glad someone mentioned that because I would have never thought of it.

[DHCJr]

Solder by itself it too soft. I actually use a pin. But what unstranded wire means is a wire that has only one strand. In other words a solid wire. For example the wire down your blade is unstranded, but is too small to use. The wire in your body cord is stranded, thus made of many strands all wrapped together.

Also, you might check with Michael Mergen Mmergens@hotmail.com
who is in the Houston area for a clinic. If he doesn't feel up to it, there is Gary Van der Wege wedge@centurytel.net in the San Marcos area and is a level 3 Armorer, who you might contact.

[Mergs]

Cowpaste - contact me by email or PM.

The size you are looking for is 3.5mm x .6 and the smaller Sears stores don't carry them, but the larger ones might. Also in the Houston area there are several machine shop support outlets for McMaster Carr and Grainger. Try them, and they are near the South Loop.

So what are you doing that is making these tips break off?

P.S. Thanks for the endorsement Don, but I am back permanently in Houston (that is until Uncle Sugar decides that I'm needed again!).

[cowpaste]

Bleah, I figured simple solder was too soft.

What guage wire should I use? If I use something too small, then wouldn't it be almost the same as just solder? After all, the die would be cutting into the solder this way. If I use something to big, then I won't have a nice round shaft to cut the threads. Maybe I am just worrying too much?

[HDG]

Just got a message from Blade: they are out of the die I ordered and die stocks. Might still have the one you need.

[Barry Paul]

Leon Paul sell the dies and holders. Fill the grove in by jamming a paper clip into it. Place the wire over the thread and position in vice jaws. carefully close the jaws which should force the wire tightly into the grove easiest if you have three hands. Grind the excess wire off the tip and create a small chamfer. When you have ruined the die and blade replace with a new one from????? L.P? Barry Paul

[cowpaste]

I've looked at Blade's website but they don't seem to have anything. Besides, I am a bit reluctant to order from Blade.

Lol, thanks for the info Barry.

[HDG]

Originally Posted by Barry Paul

Leon Paul sell the dies and holders. Fill the grove in by jamming a paper clip into it. Place the wire over the thread and position in vice jaws. carefully close the jaws which should force the wire tightly into the grove easiest if you have three hands. Grind the excess wire off the tip and create a small chamfer. When you have ruined the die and blade replace with a new one from????? L.P? Barry Paul

LP blades? Always and only.
$47 - $53 LP dies? Not as compelling.

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

Originally Posted by cowpaste

I broke off a few foil blade tips, and I would like to obtain a die (and die holder) to cut new threads to make a new tip.

Have a look at this:

http://www.vaab.se/cgi-bin/produkter..._gangsnitt.htm

Die is "gängsnitt" in Swedish. The 3,5*0,6 die is what you are looking for. Its price is 157;- SEK, or 24$. Add in shipping cost. 3,5 is an unusual size, otherwise (for the M4 epee tip, for instance) it would have much cheaper.


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson