Club inventory problem--body cords

[hpfencing]

Recently a number of our clubs body cords have been vanishing and I have one solutionbut Ineed help finding it.

We have the french (preir0 cords for the club that have flat 3 strand wire and what I'd like todo isbuy some of the wire that is different thanany color in the fencing world. Ihave an armor thatis willing to replace the ire sothat all ourwires are the same color. If it's XYZ color it's custom and has to belong to the club.

My question for everyone here is where could I order thewireand what is it called outside the fencing world (floor cord but I want a "new" color)

[smeric28]

what you want is known as flat wire, in comes in differents strands (ex epee wire would be 3 strand) problem is color choice is limited. you'd be better to go to the hardware store and buy some spray paint for "plastic" you know the stuff that chemically bonds and won't flake off. get irridecent lime green and spray the cables of your cords you'll be able to see them from a mile off

[Larrison]

Instead of rewiring, why not just mark the cords? Get a permanent pen, and put colored rings or the like on on the cords. Or use a good permanent paint, like model paint. Won't melt, smear or bleed once its dry --

You don't need to rewire -- you just have the mark them uniquely. Dipping the cord section of each body cord in bright red paint would probably do it..

[DHCJr]

Another solution is heat shrink tubing. A lighter color is easier and then put the club name on the cord. Do not put it right at the end, but a little bit down. They would need to shorten a lot to get rid of the mark.

[smeric28]

Originally Posted by DHCJr

Another solution is heat shrink tubing. A lighter color is easier and then put the club name on the cord. Do not put it right at the end, but a little bit down. They would need to shorten a lot to get rid of the mark.

heat shrink tubeing can be cut off the cord and usually does not leave a mark. plus you would have to disassemble one end of the plug to fit it on. it would work good for casual identification

[SJCFU#2]

It might be easier to paint the plastic plug covers than the wire. The plug covers are less flexible and a distinctive color (lime green?) should be visible from across the room.

This might not deter anyone looking for a "new" bodycord but it should help to reduce the incidents of people accidently putting the wrong cord in their bag.

Also, Del City lists color-coded parallel cable (search for DELCITY.NET) Don't know how flexible it is, but at less than $0.10/ft for 18/3 it might be worth the cost of a 100 ft spool.

[hpfencing]

Great idea guys,

I didn't know there was paint that would bond to the plastic.

We've tried permant markers, taped name "plates", and paint (it flaked badly though).

I'll look into Dell city first and then look into pain if that does not work

THanks guys.

Other ideas?

[KD5MDK]

Pain usually works...

[hpfencing]

Does anyone know of a good paint that will bonds to the cords so that they do not flake off. The painting idea actually sounds great especially for the short term.

[acaba]

My club has a check-out sheet. One of the officers of the club is avaliable at certain times to check in and out equipment. Kinda a PITA, but it keeps stuff from walking off.

[tsalyards]

Stop supplying body cords because of the incident. Use it as an example for good stewardship.

[smeric28]

Originally Posted by tsalyards

Stop supplying body cords because of the incident. Use it as an example for good stewardship.

isnt' that kind of cutting off your nose to spite your face? krylon makes a "plastic" paint it bonds itself chemically to plastic without primers or anything. the plugs definatly flex less i would like to know how well real "plastic" paint would ahere to the cable covering

[ThatReallyHurt]

We had a similar problem at my club. It's become much less of an issue lately, because (and I realize this may sound silly) we're out of "new", nice looking body cords. All we have left are the ones with kinks, peeling insulation, tape all over them - you know, they look like they've been through a cheese grater or something. They all work perfectly well, but it always seemed like only the good ones went missing...

You could also take a hot knife and (very carefully) melt an identifying symbol or your club's name into the rubber. That's not easy to remove, and cutting off the part that the name is on would ruin the cord.

[hpfencing]

Most of my fencers cannot afford equipment of there own, if I cut off the use of body cords I hurt everyone and I think it's probably the same 1-5 people doing it.

I like the "engraving" idea. I think it has potiental

I think I am going to go shopping for the plastic bonded paint and then also stamp the ends of the body cord as well.

Thanks for your help everyone... any other sugeestions?

[KD5MDK]

My club checks out gear to individuals, but we have I think 5 people designated as armorers who take care of this. (I just became one of them)

[hpfencing]

Well the cords are all painted, hope this fixes the problem, thanks everyone!

[lochinvar]

Let us know how it works. Good luck.