Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

gatorjosh · 02-21-2006, 12:58 PM

i got a new prier maraging foil from fencing post a while back, but my barrel keeps loosening up nomatter what I do. I've given it to armorers to tighten and had it loosen up again in the middle of important bouts. Im wondering if I need a new barrel or if there is any way to make sure it doesnt come loose again.. what could the problem be?

twisterfencing · 02-21-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorjosh

i got a new prier maraging foil from fencing post a while back, but my barrel keeps loosening up nomatter what I do. I've given it to armorers to tighten and had it loosen up again in the middle of important bouts. Im wondering if I need a new barrel or if there is any way to make sure it doesnt come loose again.. what could the problem be?

gatorjosh:
It could be the barrel? It could be it was not tightened down tight enough when first put on? It could be a number of things.

Without getting into a lot of quick fixes, which in my openion are just that, quick fixes = return of problem, you are going to have to re-wire the blade.

My suggestion (remember this means my openion) next time you re-wire it, put a single drop of Med (blue) lock-tite on the tip threads before you screw down the barrel. I have used this meathod for years now with few (yes some still want to come off) problems. This should solve your problem. Lot of work to solve it, yet, with a loose barrel, its only a short time before the wire starts twisting at the end of the cup and you will have a broken wire anyway.

Gary Spruill

parrythis · 02-21-2006, 01:32 PM

If you want to try a quick fix in the meantime, try applying a drop of green (penetrating) loc-tite before tightening the barrel. It will wick into the threads. Apply sparingly (one drop should suffice) then tighten the barrel.

I have had good luck with this.

penguin_2000 · 02-21-2006, 01:34 PM

Are you using pliars or a spanner to tighten? I find I can't get them tight enough with pliars and must use a real wrench to tighten.

It could also be that the barrel is cracked. Tighten the barrel, then check the neck of the barrel by the threads and use your finger to feel for a hairline crack in the barrel. Could also be stripped threads on the blade or barrel.

Good luck...

D'Art · 02-21-2006, 01:55 PM

You could just use a drop of LP or Allstar glue if you have them, and apply a drop before you tighten it next time, and tighten using a vice and bottle-nosed pliers.

Morion · 02-21-2006, 02:04 PM

I use Red Loctite whenever I rewire a blade. It makes the barrel a little difficult to remove later but they never get loose on me.

***Craig*** · 02-21-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Art

You could just use a drop of LP or Allstar glue if you have them, and apply a drop before you tighten it next time, and tighten using a vice and bottle-nosed pliers.

I would use Loctite instead as the LP and Allstar glue is essentially superglue.

Craig

gatorjosh · 02-21-2006, 05:25 PM

When using glue as well as tightening the barrel, does it cause problems if you want to take the barrell out to rewire the blade? Will the glue totally stick the barrel to the blade?

KD5MDK · 02-21-2006, 05:53 PM

It depends on what type of Loctite you use, how to best get through it. One of them requires heat (red?) and others are only susceptible to force. If you use superglue, I suppose your easiest bet is acetone.

Mergs · 02-21-2006, 06:44 PM

Actually, I'd recommend Thread Lock from Loctite. And I'd use Blue (242) which is recommended for the kind of application we use. For those that are using 'I ain't coming loose, even for the Rapture' Red, you do run the risk of ruining the threads or the barrel trying to remove them. In other words, way overkill! And I wouldn't recommend Purple either, it's for small screws (Dooh! No offense, Sam, but hey if the shoe fits.........!)(Oh, that's going to leave a mark!

) and not what is being applied here, although I have heard folks using it for those nasty little epee screws that keep wanting to fall out.

Another thing to do is check to make sure the barrel isn't cracked. No mater how hard you crank down on it (and make it worse if it is cracked) it'll still work its way loose because the only thing maintaining contact is the 'springiness' of the metal wanting to return to its original state.

Purple Fencer · 02-21-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mergs

And I wouldn't recommend Purple either, it's for small screws (Dooh! No offense, Sam, but hey if the shoe fits.........!)(Oh, that's going to leave a mark!

)

I'm hit!! MEDIC!!!!

Actually...I seem to be fighting a cold and the laugh was DEFINITELY appreciated, Mike!!

But remember...I'm Italian...the "small screw" ain't my problem!

WhipLash · 02-21-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

But remember...I'm Italian...the "small screw" ain't my problem!

does that mean that Italians simply pass the problem on to others?

Purple Fencer · 02-21-2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhipLash

does that mean that Italians simply pass the problem on to others?

Not THIS Italian....I'm trying to SOLVE some of these ^#%$# problems!

DHCJr · 02-22-2006, 02:13 AM

This is a suggestion for when you rewire. The blade could have a shoulder just below the threads. If it does, then file down the shoulder. When you have a shoulder the barrels stops when it hits the shoulder, not when it is tight.

HDG · 02-22-2006, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHCJr

This is a suggestion for when you rewire. The blade could have a shoulder just below the threads. If it does, then file down the shoulder. When you have a shoulder the barrels stops when it hits the shoulder, not when it is tight.

Is this becoming a more common problem? It has come up in a number of recent threads; if it is becoming more problem, what's the deal?

DHCJr · 02-22-2006, 02:32 AM

I don't know if it is becoming more of a problem. There has always been some blades that have shoulders. It could be that people are talking about it more or the manufacturers are cutting corners.

twisterfencing · 02-23-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morion

I use Red Loctite whenever I rewire a blade. It makes the barrel a little difficult to remove later but they never get loose on me.

Morion,
I used to use the red loctite until I snapped an end off the blade taking the barrel off. I have a friend that still uses the red stuff, one trick he showed me was: when taking the barrel off, he uses a small micro tourch, applying the flame right where the 5mm slots/6mm slots are at at the base for just a few seconds. This heats up the locktite for an easy release.

Gary

fencerbill · 02-24-2006, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisterfencing

Morion,
I used to use the red loctite until I snapped an end off the blade taking the barrel off. I have a friend that still uses the red stuff, one trick he showed me was: when taking the barrel off, he uses a small micro tourch, applying the flame right where the 5mm slots/6mm slots are at at the base for just a few seconds. This heats up the locktite for an easy release.

Gary

A soldering gun or iron will do the same thing. Even worked for a barrel that had been put on with superglue.

KD5MDK · 02-24-2006, 02:24 AM

Red loctite is designed to be weakened with heat.

Mergs · 02-24-2006, 06:21 AM

WAY too much trouble using Red Loctite.