Re-use foil wires?

[Decadence]

Im gunna be doing a rewire on my blade because of a bad barrel, and i was wondering if i can re-use the wire i just took out of my foil. would it still be able to stick because of the fact that its already covered in glue?

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by Decadence

Im gunna be doing a rewire on my blade because of a bad barrel, and i was wondering if i can re-use the wire i just took out of my foil. would it still be able to stick because of the fact that its already covered in glue?

Not in my experience...you'd have to remove the old glue to ensure a good job the next time, and that's near impossible without damaging the insulation. Plus you'd have to resolder the cup/wire connection.

Don't stress yourself...just get a new wire....it'll be more reliable and less stressful.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Urgh...is it really worth the effort? Surely foil wires can't be that much more expensive than épée wires?

I would personally never even consider cleaning old épée wires and use them again. Buy a new one and save yourself the energy and time!

[Dave]

it is possible (I had to do it once to get a foil working for the next day) but I really wouldn't recomend it. A new foil; wire doesn't cost anywhere near enough to warent the hassle that an old wire causes.

[The Armourer]

No - it really is not worth the risk. Just use a new wire.

[DHCJr]

I agree with all of the others, using the wire is not worth it. Reusing the cup and contact and making a new wire is. It would cost you a few cents and take a couple of minutes.

It is much easier than Epee. Except for PBT, you can't reuse the German and French Epee wires, because the contacts are crimped on. To make a Foil wire, take out the contact and with a surgical probe (you can get them where you get supplies for Biology class at a school. Put the contact with the top in a vise grip held loosely and the brim on top. If there is a little piece of wire sticking up grab it and heat with a soldering iron. That will mostly clear out the hole. You can finishish clearing out the hole by placing the probe pushing in where the wire went in heat and it will push through. Then bare a 1/4" to 1/2" of new wire, tin it, heat the contact and push through to the insulator. If there is not enough solder to hold it, tin it a little more. When cool hold the contact and break off the excess wire at the top of the contact and seat the contact in the cup. You have a new wire.

[smeric28]

like everyone said if you have another on hand it's not worth it. i have however done it in a cinch. you need to carefully peel back the wire to the tip before you unscrew it. otherwise you will sever the wire when you back the tip off. if the wire is the reason for the rewire. pitch it. i've only ever done it a few times for people who have broken blades or cracked barrels but the wire was still intact.

[smeric28]

2 things i forgot try and push the button out of the barrel before you unscrew it. and don't jerk on the wire to pull it just apply consisitant pressure.

[Robert Smith]

Originally Posted by DHCJr

I agree with all of the others, using the wire is not worth it. Reusing the cup and contact and making a new wire is. It would cost you a few cents and take a couple of minutes.

The big benefit for us is that we don't have to keep a collection of spare foil wires on hand. When the nearest supplier is a couple of days by post away, it's much more convenient to refabricate. Plus it's cheaper, which appeals to my penny-pinching spirit.

It's important to use an appropriate wire. I don't know what everyone else is using, but we have consistently good results with an enamelled 28-gauge wire; sold, if memory serves, as "magneto wire". One $20 spool is enough for around 150 foils - at $4 per new wire, that's $580 saved. Over a very, very looong time...

I've never managed to put a wire all the way through the cap; didn't know it was possible (thanks, DHCJr). Typically I poke out the last ermnant of the old wire with a utility knife and resolder as deep as the new wire will fit. I scrape the enamel off the last few millimetres and then cut back to around 1 mm of exposed metal; easier than trying to scrape just enough. A good tug to make sure it's firmly soldered in, and the jobs a good 'un.

[DHCJr]

I would spend a couple more pennies. Yes, magnet wire will work, maybe. The one problem is it only has one insulator. You get a knick going through the barrel or down the blade, you could have an intermittent short, which is worse then a permenant short, because you may not know you have it. There are several vendors who sell wire or you can get rewrap wire. All these options have at least 2 insulators.