Wiring a Blade

[Fencergrl]

I'm re-wiring my epee blade. This is my first time, so I need a little help. I don't want to have problems with weapons checks, so what are the rules (if there are any) regarding:

1) Bending the tang... are there any limitations or advice anyone can give me?

2) Spaghetti covering for wire inside the bell guard.... How much can be visible beyond the bell guard if any? I was thinking of widening the groove slightly with my Dremel, so it lays flat. I just want a 1/2" or so, because I have had wires get damaged at the bell guard in the past, when the pistol grip becomes loose. I would like the spaghetti covering to protect the wires at this point.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

when bending the tang, take it sloooowww.

[keith]

1) Bending the tang... are there any limitations or advice anyone can give me?

make sure the vice is securely fastened to the bench and that the bench is securely fastened to the wall - laying on the floor with an repair bench lying on top of you is only hilarious for the spectators.

2) Spaghetti covering for wire inside the bell guard.... How much can be visible beyond the bell guard if any? I was thinking of widening the groove slightly with my Dremel, so it lays flat. I just want a 1/2" or so, because I have had wires get damaged at the bell guard in the past, when the pistol grip becomes loose. I would like the spaghetti covering to protect the wires at this point.

If your wires are being damaged by the guard you are probably missing a locking washer. I would not take a dremel to widen the groove.

[daveappr]

" make sure the vice is securely fastened to the bench and that the bench is securely fastened to the wall - laying on the floor with an repair bench lying on top of you is only hilarious for the spectators. " OMG- that's hilarious!!!

[Allen Evans]

1) Bending the tang... are there any limitations or advice anyone can give me?

Using a long box-end wrench or a length of pipe can give you extra leverage when bending the tang.

[SJCFU#2]

1) Bending the tang... are there any limitations or advice anyone can give me?

Dont bend the tang so far that your grip extends beyond the edge of the bell guard (see m.4)

2) Spaghetti covering for wire inside the bell guard.... How much can be visible beyond the bell guard if any?

As little as possible. The insulation only has to extend into the guard to protect the wire. Just make sure that the wire is routed through the socket before changing direction and aligned with the groove in the grip, lest you ruin an excellent wiring job by crushing the new wire between the socket and the grip.

[yeoldearmourer]

Also only pull thru 2 inch of wire and then tighten the barrel also check the thread grove for anything that might catch the insualtion on the wire or you can get a short. Dont bend the blade more them 4inch curve in the middle while the glue is drying. Why bend the blade it strech the wire were it what pop out when hitting. If i think of anything else I let you know oh by the way what type of glue are you using. Some takes between 8 to 12 hr to dry.

What type of blade are you bending FIE or non FIE and what brand of blade.You need to put two bends in the blade one down about 1/2inch and dependent if you are right or left hand determined which way the second bend goes. R. H the bend goes towards the L H. Lh towards the right hand.
one down one about 1/2 or less left or right.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

ok, heres how I've started canting the tangs. You place the tang in the vice, then bend the blade by gripping onto the end of the forte. You get alot of leverage. Opinions?

[yeoldearmourer]

The reason I am ask for what type of blade some forges tang are so brittle any attempt to bend them will cause them to break. I had o relace several at no chanrge to customer

[HDG]

2) Spaghetti covering for wire inside the bell guard.... How much can be visible beyond the bell guard if any?

Remember, if it's sticking through the guard, a hit to the insulation will register if it's popping out of the groove; no biggie if it were foil, but since it's epee, I believe it falls under t.68.g and the hit will count. May be a 1 in a 1000 shot, but still...

[mrbiggs]

Remember, if it's sticking through the guard, a hit to the insulation will register if it's popping out of the groove; no biggie if it were foil, but since it's epee, I believe it falls under t.68.g and the hit will count. May be a 1 in a 1000 shot, but still...

That'd be nearly impossible, as the tip would have to hit only the insulation, without hitting the blade or bellguard at all.

[Fencergrl]

Remember, if it's sticking through the guard, a hit to the insulation will register if it's popping out of the groove; no biggie if it were foil, but since it's epee, I believe it falls under t.68.g and the hit will count. May be a 1 in a 1000 shot, but still...

I know, that's why I wanted to make sure it laid in the groove and was going to widen it slightly to ensure that this doesn't happen.

[Fencergrl]

What type of blade are you bending FIE or non FIE and what brand of blade.

I am bending a FIE rainbow blade. I don't know what the make is. I will have a look when I get home if you need to know.

[HDG]

That'd be nearly impossible, as the tip would have to hit only the insulation, without hitting the blade or bellguard at all.

A hit simultaneously on a grounded surface and an ungrounded surface will ground out? Shows what I know.

[yeoldearmourer]

I am bending a FIE rainbow blade. I don't know what the make is. I will have a look when I get home if you need to know.

Since you are bending a FIE blade a piece of 1/2 pipe is the way to go for the levege it prove. You can do it with a wrench but pipe will be better. Put the blade in the vice i assuming you have a vice that bolt down. Put the blade into vice down to the wide part of the blade slip the pipe over the tang and pull it toward about 1/4inch to 1/2 inch bend that the downward bend. Now for the side bend if right handed leave the blade in the vice has your facing the blade move round to your left and pull toward you about the same as above when you bending the blade that in will come toward you but the vice adjustement screw will hold it in place. If it for a lefty move the blade to the other side of vice where you have adjustement screw holding the blade as you bend. Do this slowly and steady pull. If using a box wrench the longer the better for leveage. I use the box wrech myself.

[mrbiggs]

A hit simultaneously on a grounded surface and an ungrounded surface will ground out? Shows what I know.

I think so, because any amount of ungrounded surface will allow the current to go through...I'm going to the club in 10 minutes, I'll try it out.

[fencinman89]

These "Rainbow blades" are made by a company called SportService, Theyre stamped with a little "stm" and the the t is a small dagger. Ive see lights register on the spaghetti of a blade and on the glue that is in the groove.
-Tre'

[Frank Pratt]

ok, heres how I've started canting the tangs. You place the tang in the vice, then bend the blade by gripping onto the end of the forte. You get alot of leverage. Opinions?

A vice is the best way to do it. However, in a pinch or away from home (or for someone like yours truly whose vice is mounted on a tipsy bench,) you can grab an adjustable wrench or any other tool that has a hole at the end of the handle (so it can be hung on a nail.) Slip the tang though the hole, get it as close to the top of the tang as possible, and push down on the other end or the toll to bend the tang. The longer the wrench, the more leverage you'll have. This is a good trick to keep in the back of your mind, but I'd use a vice if you can.

[mrbiggs]

I think so, because any amount of ungrounded surface will allow the current to go through...I'm going to the club in 10 minutes, I'll try it out.

I was right, any contact with a grounded surface will cause the light to not come on.

[HDG]

I was right, any contact with a grounded surface will cause the light to not come on.

Cool. One less thing to worry about.