Strange foil tip prob...

[Purple Fencer]

Here's the situation:

Recently rewired foil...Sport 7 French wire, old barrel, but in decent shape...same for the tip.

When I gave it back to the fencer, I had a good solid b/c connection and the weapon operated properly.

I had cleaned out the barrel prior to wiring, ran a small brass tube on the tip flange to break off anyh insulating corrosion, and sanded off both ends of the spring via the deburring wheel on my bench grinder. All points of contact in side the tip assembly were, therefore, cleaned.

Todayt I get the weapon back...not resetting...constant off target.

I put it on my test box...circuit seems good, but I take the tip apart to see if three's anything I missed...insert screwdriver into the barrel and short fro mthe wire cup to the barrel, rotating the screwdriver around inside the barrel to see if there's a break i nthe cup. Negative there.

Here's the confusin part...I put the tip back together and get NO response...I put in a brand NEW tip and screws...and get no response.

The blade is held in a vise, so nothing's moving around, and the connection at the socket is good (otherwise I'd be getting nothing when I did the screwdriver test)

It appears to be in the tip assembly, but darned if I can figure out where!!

[yeoldearmourer]

You broke the solder inside the cup wire not making contact rewire REWIRE TIME

[fatfencer]

could have broke the wire right under the cup somehow. Either way its a rewire.

Fatfencer

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by yeoldearmourer

You broke the solder inside the cup wire not making contact rewire REWIRE TIME

I thought about that, but when I did the screwdriver test I got connection...and NO break when I moved the screwdriver...usually if there's a cup break, I can see it on that test...

The lack of connection only happens when the tip is installed....if I remove it and insert the screwdriver, it looks solid.

Obviously a rewire is an option, but I hate to drop back and punt so soon....

[Fechter1]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

I thought about that, but when I did the screwdriver test I got connection...and NO break when I moved the screwdriver...usually if there's a cup break, I can see it on that test...

The lack of connection only happens when the tip is installed....if I remove it and insert the screwdriver, it looks solid.

Obviously a rewire is an option, but I hate to drop back and punt so soon....

Could it be that you put just enough pressure on the contact head that you reestablished contact during the test?

[DHCJr]

The pressure of the spring should do the same thing.

This is a modification of using a screwdriver. Put the spring in only and touch the spring with the screwdriver and touch the side. If you do get a connection, then clean between the base and the collar. If you don't get a connection, then the spring for whatever reason is not seating properly.

[Joe biebel]

Originally Posted by DHCJr

The pressure of the spring should do the same thing.

This is a modification of using a screwdriver. Put the spring in only and touch the spring with the screwdriver and touch the side. If you do get a connection, then clean between the base and the collar. If you don't get a connection, then the spring for whatever reason is not seating properly.

Donald is probably on to the problem. I used Sport 7 tips for a while until I found good ones. I had the same problem. Very hard to test for but inserting the spring as Donald suggested will help you determine if it is the tip or the spring or the plastic in the contact interfering with continuity. With a penlight examine the inside edge of the plastic cup. Insert a spring into the cup ans "see" that it goes in properly. I had lots of problems with springs fitting the cups.

[Purple Fencer]

I decided to punt....the tip assembly cound use replacing anyway...but I'll remember this for next time...thanks.

Donald, when are you coming by to look at those boxes?

[fatfencer]

Originally Posted by Joe biebel

Donald is probably on to the problem. I used Sport 7 tips for a while until I found good ones. I had the same problem. Very hard to test for but inserting the spring as Donald suggested will help you determine if it is the tip or the spring or the plastic in the contact interfering with continuity. With a penlight examine the inside edge of the plastic cup. Insert a spring into the cup ans "see" that it goes in properly. I had lots of problems with springs fitting the cups.

HMM Sport 7 tips are the best French tips I've found. What tips are you referring to? I've never had any problems with them.

Fatfencer

[KD5MDK]

I believe Joe uses Leon Paul GT tips now.

[Extreme-D]

It seems that when you had shorted the cup with the screw driver, you did something to it. Probably when you were twisting it around. Then after who ever was using it, the stress finally got to it. I don't know how to fix it not knowing exactly went wrong. I'm just looking at a electrica technician manual. But as a plus you described your problem EXTREMLY well. Jolly Good as the British say!

[KD5MDK]

As you spend more time on here, you'll discover that Purple Fencer knows what he's talking about generally.

[keropie]

And on a separate note, the phrase in your signature is correctly spelled (in Latin) 'Carpe Diem,' and doesn't mean 'seize the day,' but rather 'pluck the day.' The meaning is a common misconception, but the spelling... I mean, seriously...

[KD5MDK]

I like to go with "Carpe per diem" myself, but that's because National Tournaments are expensive places to eat and drink.

[keropie]

Pluck the daily pay? Hmm...

Maybe you should stick with 'Cape per diem,' cause I think seizing will be better than plucking (I don't imagine a cash per diem would last 2 seconds in the open at a national event O.o)

[KD5MDK]

it would last exactly as far as the nearest bar, I believe, to be exact.

[Extreme-D]

Thank you. They don't teach latin in high school anymore.