Spools

Hello All

I'm trying to refurbish some Lean Paul spools but can't get them to run
smoothly. I believe each spring to be OK but can any body point me in the
right direction?

Thanks

Tim

-)-----o

Describe them. The brand name doesn't mean much to me though I've worked
on the snail and flat variety, Russian, German and some as yet unknown.
Springs are a usual source of trouble.
j.

tim harris wrote:
> Hello All
>
> I'm trying to refurbish some Lean Paul spools but can't get them to run
> smoothly. I believe each spring to be OK but can any body point me in the
> right direction?
>

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 16:33:11 -0700, Jonathan Jefferies
<jonathanjefferies@alamedanet.net> wrote:

> Describe them. The brand name doesn't mean much to me though I've worked
> on the snail and flat variety, Russian, German and some as yet unknown.
> Springs are a usual source of trouble.

Leon Paul reels are snails.

-Mark-

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 23:05:07 +0100, "tim harris"
<timjharris@ntlworld.com> wrote:

>Hello All
>
>I'm trying to refurbish some Lean Paul spools but can't get them to run
>smoothly. I believe each spring to be OK but can any body point me in the
>right direction?

I'd double check the springs. Open the cannisters and inspect each
one to make sure they are okay, and they are greased.

Check the spool that the cord wraps around for any cracks that might
be catching the cord as it plays out or winds back in.

Check the outer case for damage around the hole where the cord exits
the case. Is the little ring thingy in the hole? Is there a crack or
other damage that might be causing it to catch?

Well the description of not being able to get them to run smoothly
is sorta vague. But if it's that they don't retract and they are
snails as Mark indicated then look for a break in the spring where
it is joined to either the outer rim or the axle. The fix is rather
straight forward if very messy. Just heat an inch or two of the
end of the spring where the break is and then let it air cool.
Then you can drill the spring fairly easily, put in a new hole
and reattach. (oh and yeah, rewind which is a ... job)

If it's just stiction, Perry's pretty much covered it. Though
I have seen the wipers create problems. Usually it's a matter
of putzing with it until you spot what's out of adjustment.
J.

Perry Quan wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 23:05:07 +0100, "tim harris"
> <timjharris@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Hello All
>>
>>I'm trying to refurbish some Lean Paul spools but can't get them to run
>>smoothly. I believe each spring to be OK but can any body point me in the
>>right direction?
>
>
> I'd double check the springs. Open the cannisters and inspect each
> one to make sure they are okay, and they are greased.
>
> Check the spool that the cord wraps around for any cracks that might
> be catching the cord as it plays out or winds back in.
>
> Check the outer case for damage around the hole where the cord exits
> the case. Is the little ring thingy in the hole? Is there a crack or
> other damage that might be causing it to catch?

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 22:26:28 -0500, Perry Quan did issue forth:

> I'd double check the springs. Open the cannisters and inspect each one to
> make sure they are okay, and they are greased.

WARNING! Do not do this wearing your nice white kit!

That happened once to a "friend". Yeah, friend. That's it. Definately
not me though.

Huw "Boing!" Pritchard

fencerbill@aol.com (Fencerbill) wrote

>
> I feel forced to contradict this advice and, in essence, Leon Paul, the
> manufacturer.
>
> DO NOT GREASE LEON PAUL SPRINGS.

I was told by one of the armorers at a NAC to grease the springs with
Vaseline.
Haven't done it yet, but then I live in the desert, so rust isn't much
of an issue.

I'm not quite sure what you mean as far as the grease turning to
"glue". Well, no, I know what you MEAN, but...do the springs need to
move so much and freely that a little sticking inside the packs will
retard the working of the reel significantly?

fencerbill@aol.com (Fencerbill) wrote


> A well
> cleaned set of springs only needs about two or three turns to work smoothly.
> When they get sticky, you will need several more.
>
> Bill Hall

Leon Paul recommends 15 turns...and in repairing our reels I have
experienced persistent problems with only 5 turns---the cable will not
retract all the way back in after being extended, and after each
play-out another foot or so remains outside the reel.

This was before I greased the springs.

After winding the suggested 15 turns, the reels work fine, again
without greasing the spring packs.

So now you have me uncertain whether to grease or not!

"William Marshal" <trebuchet30303@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:dc7987e.0307230131.1a9fc812@posting.google.co m...
> "tim harris" <timjharris@ntlworld.com> wrote
>
> >
> > I'm trying to refurbish some Lean Paul spools but can't get them to run
> > smoothly. I believe each spring to be OK but can any body point me in
the
> > right direction?
>
>
> In what way do they not run smoothly? Do they pull too hard? Does the
> wire not retract all the way back into the casing? Do they give flaky
> white lights? Or what?
>
> Old Leon Paul "pyramid" reels are fairly simple to fix, but you need
> to describe what they're doing.

They seem to be fine until I put them back together and the they just feel
really rough!! They feed out OK but are reluctant to reel back in smoothly
all the way! I hope this is helps as it's the best way I can put it!

In article <dc7987e.0307250016.21b587ee@posting.google.com> ,
trebuchet30303@yahoo.com (William Marshal) writes:

>So now you have me uncertain whether to grease or not!

consistent application of one system works best, rather than one particular
system or another. But for any lubricant, periodic cleaning and lubrication are
required.

I had never heard what Leon Paul's recommendations were, thanks for that. I
just know that the reels that I service with WD-40 work well with about three
turns of preload.

Another factor which may be significant is just how the reels are used, on a
regulation length or on a shorter strip.

How far apart are the reels set and how far apart are the connections to the
fencers. A regulation length strip is about 46 feet (14 meters) long. The
fencer ends are about 3-4 meters apart for Epee and Sabre and about 2-3 meters
apart for Foil. So each reel has about 5 meters of cable out. This is the
situation where you want the reels to react smoothly and without hesitation.
The 15 turns of preload attributed to Leon Paul is effectively another 4-5
meters of equivalent cable payout.

This extra equivalent payout is probably more appropriate where the salle is
cramped and the reels are closer together; i.e., less payout on average. You
want the reels to work best under the exact conditions of use.

I will still defend my use of WD-40 for consistent maintenance but perhaps will
use a little more preload.

Bill Hall