Armorers College and armoring in general

[Greg Z.]

I have been fixing foils for a few months for my club and I enjoy it. Our coach and I have been using this activity to raise money to get new equipment for the club. So far the members have been very good about giving us business but I wonder what the usual fees should be to repair equipment. I donate my time and the parts have been supplied by my coach for the most part, but I want to be fair, yet max out the possible profit for the club. Please let me know what you all think is fair for rewiring, point replacement, general maintainance, body cord repair, etc.
Finally, if anyone who has gone through the armorers college could give me an idea of what it is like and more info, the web site is fairly superficial.
Thanks

[oiuyt]

Greg- I didn't do armorer's college but I was there for coaches college during the first two weeks this year. The armorer's (especially the first week) spent all of their time (and I mean all of their time, Dan DeChaine needed at times to abandon them just so that he could get some sleep, they were just THAT wound up about continuing) playing with Dan's collection of examples of equipment from around the world.

You basically learn what every piece of equipment from every manufacturer looks like and how to repair it, as well as what is crap and needs to be avoided and what the best of each part type is. You learn what the insides of more types of reels than you knew existed look like. You get to hear Dan's stories from in the trenches at international events from the past 40 (or whatever) years.

The first week they had 7 participants, the second had only 2, the third had 2 scheduled, although some more might have done it. From my observations it seemed to get a much better group dynamic when there were more people involved. While the two people in the second week very clearly enjoyed the course the first week people fed off each other and got more actively involved.

I'd definitely recommend the whole coaches college program, whether for coaches or for armorers. It's well run and is a great opportunity.

-B

[sallearmourer]

Most club armourers charge on the Aveage for rewire is 10.00 plus parts. Tip adjustment 5.00 plus parts. Bodycords is 5.00 for repair plus parts. Like the a lead wire is supposed to be 40cm long some of them are just 40 cm long and once cut no longer legal. Soldering work done on clips for bodycord and sabre head cord is 2.00. That pretty much what I chagre at home. Now when I have my booth at a NAC I have to chagre to cover expenses.

Tim

[DHCJr]

First of all, if you can make it the Armorer's college is a great investment for your club and you. You might also consider joining the Armorer's Guild for other chances to learn and be certified. If you are interested contact me at DHCJr@juno.com.

As far as charges, it does vary. In California it is mostly $5.00 for rewire plus parts, but we are not trying to make a business of it, you are. Also, the 'Agravation Charges' can add to that. Because we want to do a professional job, we tell them overnight. If they demand that they need it within an hour or two, it jumps to maybe $20.00, because it would be an unprofessional job.

It's going to be a little bit of give and take, but do consider going to Armorer's College or working with established Armorers.

[Greg Z.]

Thanks for the input you guys. I especially enjoyed hearing from oiuyt about how the people couldn't stop, sounds great!
I'm not sure I belong in an armorers guild just yet. I can rewire a blade I have yet to have a weapon presented to me that I couldn't at least make work better, but I have NEVER worked on a reel or worked in a tournament, etc. But I'd love to learn more.
Fencing sure is great.
Greg Z.