Old foil... how do i remove the barrel?

[Chafunkta]

I was just given a 20-something year old foil to rewire. The point is a weird design I've never seen before. The barrel is completely round on it, as in there's no place to place a wrench in order to unscrew it.

Does anyone have any ideas how I could get it off without messing up the barrel? I thought of sticking something through the two holes where the grub screws go, but that seems like it'd put too much stress on the thing I place through the holes (namely my screwdriver).

[KD5MDK]

Sounds like the only thing to try is vise grips.

[epeeisky]

David, you could try and use a hex wrench to get it out. An epee barrel of mine didn't have a spot for a wrench and I used a hex wrench stuck inside the barrel to get the sucker off there.

[keropie]

I was just given a 20-something year old foil to rewire. The point is a weird design I've never seen before. The barrel is completely round on it, as in there's no place to place a wrench in order to unscrew it.

Does anyone have any ideas how I could get it off without messing up the barrel? I thought of sticking something through the two holes where the grub screws go, but that seems like it'd put too much stress on the thing I place through the holes (namely my screwdriver).

I've definitely done the screwdriver thing. If you're gentle, you'll be able to stop well before you hurt the screwdriver (mind you, the barrel may still be stuck depending on HOW stuck it is, but...)

[Purple Fencer]

I'd save the screwdriver and just stick through a paperclip....what's important is that you give something for the pliers or vise grip to grab on to.

Is it a really narrow barrel? Probably an oranhge pplastic insulator on the shaft of the tip?? Might be an old Prieur.


Note to Barry Paul....THIS is why flats are necessarry on a barrel...remember what I said about few people having a specialized drill chuck??

[Mergs]

To hell with what it looks like on the outside! Just grab it with a pair of vise grips, twist it off, chang the wire and screw it back on and tape over the b*****d! Sheese, this ain't rocket science.


And I know rocket science!

[Purple Fencer]

To hell with what it looks like on the outside! Just grab it with a pair of vise grips, twist it off, chang the wire and screw it back on and tape over the b*****d! Sheese, this ain't rocket science.


And I know rocket science!

Man....that road trip of yours is starting to show!!


BTW...your mask and a sample of the cords is on the way.

[Chafunkta]

Is it a really narrow barrel? Probably an oranhge pplastic insulator on the shaft of the tip?? Might be an old Prieur.

That's exactly what it is. Good job, Purple.

I'm taking Merg's advice - I'm going to become a rocket scientist.

[Purple Fencer]

That's exactly what it is. Good job, Purple.

I'm taking Merg's advice - I'm going to become a rocket scientist.

Heh...a friend of mine who marches in teh color guards of the drum corps I perform with IS a rocket scientist at JPL....working Cassini, IIRC

[DHCJr]

Just remember to grab at the base with the vise grips, where the groove are on some barrels.

[Larrison]

Umm... no one has recommended blasting the threads with a couple of drops of penetrating oil and letting it wick in for a couple of minutes before laying on with the vice grips? Might make it easer...

[esskreemr]

Just crack it and split it off and throw away. What's the likelihood of finding a tip with a decent fit for it anyways? The thread should still be standard, right?

[Linkthealmighty]

Um... Grab it with a pair of pliers and twist to the left, if that doesn't work try gun powder and duck (that last bit's important )

[Morion]

Um... Grab it with a pair of pliers and twist to the left, if that doesn't work try gun powder and duck (that last bit's important )

How will a duck break the point loose???

[Purple Fencer]

How will a duck break the point loose???

*reaches out...ka-slaps Morion*

[Linkthealmighty]

How will a duck break the point loose???

Well you see, ducks are in fact wonderful armorers, simply by quacking........ Yeah, I got nothing.

[KD5MDK]

You trade the duck to a chef, who boils the foil for you. Then you ice the blade and twist off the still-heated barrel...

[fencerbill]

And then there is trying to rewire a blade when someone super-glued the barrel on. The last time, I was able to use my soldering gun to warm it enough to finally break it loose, but the fumes were not pleasant.

[Frater_Frag]

If a foil is that old I recommend that you simply polish it and put it on display!
After all, there are not that many foils left intact that are that old!