repairing a bayonette socket

[remise]

To anyone who has tried this - is it possible to take apart a bayonette socket and replace the spring and the flat piece that the connector locks down onto, or is it easier and/or more cost effective to just buy another socket?

[HDG]

Originally Posted by remise

To anyone who has tried this - is it possible to take apart a bayonette socket and replace the spring and the flat piece that the connector locks down onto, or is it easier and/or more cost effective to just buy another socket?

It doesn't look like LP sells the component parts except the plastic housing and the screw and washer assembly; I'd say drop the $7 and change and just get a new one.

[fencinman89]

Why do you need to replace these, I may be able to help you fix it rather than replace.
-Tre'

[remise]

It would appear that the spring is shot and the metal piece has turned to crap. I've tried sanding the metal connector, but I'm not sure if there is a way to replace the innards, and if so, where you can get them.

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by remise

It would appear that the spring is shot and the metal piece has turned to crap. I've tried sanding the metal connector, but I'm not sure if there is a way to replace the innards, and if so, where you can get them.

So essentially you're looking to replace everything but the metal bracket and plastic block (and you may want to replace the plastic block as well - the nubs that help lock the socket in place tend to wear out over time).

HDG's approach seems more practical. Simply buy a new socket, spend a couple of dollars more for a genuine Leon Paul rather than a cheap copy, and don't worry about it for many years (or switch to two-prong, which is much easier to fix but has its own set of problems ).

[HDG]

Seconded; NEVER buy an off-brand bayonet.

[Sword Mistress]

Steps on repairing a Bayonet socket (LP or knockoff):

1. Remove grip and pad to access socket.
2. Carefully remove wire from side screw, ensuring wire remains intact as much as possible.
3. Purchase a 2 prong socket (preferably German) or a Negrini bayonet if you must have a monoprong.
4. Replace socket with new BETTER SOCKET that doesnt have parts that corrode at the least little breath of dirt.
5. Re-attach wire carefully, maybe this time with a more solid connection.
6. Replace your now obsolete LP/knockoff bayonet bodycord ends (dont buy a new bodycord! just replace the dang ends!).

VOILA!

(this is just my humble suggestion)

[Mr Epee]

Brilliant advice...

rinse and repeat steps 1 - 6 on all your foils / sabers

Then give them to a passing 12 year old, and buy some epees.

[HDG]

Originally Posted by Sword Mistress

Steps on repairing a Bayonet socket (LP or knockoff):

1. Remove grip and pad to access socket.
2. Carefully remove wire from side screw, ensuring wire remains intact as much as possible.
3. Purchase a 2 prong socket (preferably German) or a Negrini bayonet if you must have a monoprong.
4. Replace socket with new BETTER SOCKET that doesnt have parts that corrode at the least little breath of dirt.
5. Re-attach wire carefully, maybe this time with a more solid connection.
6. Replace your now obsolete LP/knockoff bayonet bodycord ends (dont buy a new bodycord! just replace the dang ends!).

VOILA!

(this is just my humble suggestion)

I am one of only a couple people at my club who uses bayonet rather than various two prong set-ups, and we have FAR fewer problems than our counterparts -- that includes my two 20 year old LP bayonet body cords. But this has been argued about in a bunch of threads already, and I doubt we'll convince each other.

[Sword Mistress]

you are right. and i will not argue. really it depends on the fencer. most (ahem) fencers of a particular weapon do not know how to properly care for their bayonet sockets/body wires, therefore they tend not to last very long and have more problems than the 2 prongs. however, the same can be said for 2 prongs. usually it is the fencer's ignorance of care and maintainence for their equipment that causes parts to go bad and wires to break, etc.

it's really just an opinion or preference. some people can use LP bayonets (never knockoffs... those are SHEET) for 20 years, some they cant even make them last one tournament.

a few words of advice:
- the plug is there for you to remove the body cord out of the socket. this applies to bayonet, 2 prongs and even EPEE for pete's sake! don't YANK THAT WIRE!
- DO NOT put those weapons with your dirty, nasty, stinky, wet socks/mask/glove/jacket/shoes/knickers/ANYTHING THAT RETAINS MOISTURE!
- and when it does break, learn how to fix it. ask any of us armorers (specifcally ones who have trained under and worked with other certified armorers, only because we know where we've all come from) and we'd be happy to let you know what the problem could be and how you could resolve it to where you arent dishing out money to either replace or repair sockets and wires.

but yes, i do prefer 2 prongs to bayonets simply because it's an easy fix. and there will be fencers who will NEVER take care of their equipment. so i'd rather have them handing me a nice 2 prong to work on rather than that bayonet.

[HDG]

I couldn't agree more. Welcome to the board btw.