Epee tip jamming

[Craig]

Another Epee question:

Name: Ann Marie
Weapon (primary): Epee

Question:

Sometimes, the tips on my epees seem to "jam", and I have to really bang the target for the light to go off. I've checked the springs and screws and was told that both are fine after getting a second opinion. What could be wrong?

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by webmaster:
<strong>Another Epee question:

Name: Ann Marie
Weapon (primary): Epee

Question:

Sometimes, the tips on my epees seem to "jam", and I have to really bang the target for the light to go off. I've checked the springs and screws and was told that both are fine after getting a second opinion. What could be wrong?</strong><hr></blockquote>


I had a situation like this recently. Is there a dent on the barrel that may be projecting inside? When I replaced the barrel, the problem went away. Only prob it, it makes a rewire necessarry.

Take out the tip and put it into another barrel. if it moves smoothly, the barrel's dented.

You could use a mandrel to smooth the inside out, but I;ve never had any luck doing that without destroying the barrel.

[neevel]

Just to verify, by 'jamming' is meant that light won't always go off when you hit, rather than the tip staying stuck in the depressed position after a touch, correct?

You've indicated that the contact spring looked fine (i.e., not being just marginally short or bent a little off to one side). Other possibilities:

- Dirt or corrosion on the point contacts or the end of the contact spring. Clean point (Q-tip + alcohol works fine, plastic-safe contact cleaner may be better) and end of contact spring.

-The barrel may be dented so that it keeps the tip from fully depressing except with a firm or perfectly straight-on touch. Either use an Uhlmann/Allstar mandrel to restore the barrel, or rewire with new barrel.

- There's a break in one or both of the wires right beneath the contacts. A hard hit will push the wire back together with the contact so you'll get a light, but afterwards it'll pull away again. Rewire the blade.

- Check at the guard socket to make sure there's a good connection with the A & B wires. A slightly loose nut could cause an intermittent connection.

-Check your body cord for any intermittent problems with A or B lines.

-Dave