Those effing point screws.

[samster]

Someone told me my point was dirty (give it's grittiness.) He suggested I clean it out with some alcohol and a q-tip.

So you probably can guess the story from here on out-- I lost one of those itty bitty screws. Where can I get a new one? Anyone?

[Craig]

Your favorite fencing equipment supplier will have them.

Here are links to what we carry:

• German Foil Points Screws
• German Epee Point Screws
• Leon Paul Point Screws

Craig

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by samster

Someone told me my point was dirty (give it's grittiness.) He suggested I clean it out with some alcohol and a q-tip.

So you probably can guess the story from here on out-- I lost one of those itty bitty screws. Where can I get a new one? Anyone?

Most clubs have at least small supplies of screws, springs, etc. Or ask around amongst your fencing colleagues. Many of them have undoubtedly had this problem before you.

To avoid this problem in the future, keep a small magnet to capture the ittty bitty parts around when you are doing such repairs. Advertising sheet magnets or magnetic business cards work well.

[samster]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

Most clubs have at least small supplies of screws, springs, etc. Or ask around amongst your fencing colleagues. Many of them have undoubtedly had this problem before you.

To avoid this problem in the future, keep a small magnet to capture the ittty bitty parts around when you are doing such repairs. Advertising sheet magnets or magnetic business cards work well.

Yes, I got lucky. I used one of my son's toy magnets, swept the area and retrieved the screw. Thanks for all the good advice. -Sam

[SJCFU#2]

One other trick to help recover dropped screws:

Try placing a light-colored piece of fabric such as a jacket or underarm protector on table of floor over which you will be working. The fabric will help to dampen the blow when the screw drops so it doesn't bounce too far, and the light color will make the screw easier to see when you go to pick it up.

Also, consider investing in a small bag of spare screws (and maybe a bag of springs as well). You can get them from any vendor and it only cost a few dollars for a bag of ten. Consider them cheap insurance for the next time this happens (as it inevitably will).

[Fechter1]

Originally Posted by SJCFU#2

One other trick to help recover dropped screws:

Try placing a light-colored piece of fabric such as a jacket or underarm protector on table of floor over which you will be working. The fabric will help to dampen the blow when the screw drops so it doesn't bounce too far, and the light color will make the screw easier to see when you go to pick it up.

Also, consider investing in a small bag of spare screws (and maybe a bag of springs as well). You can get them from any vendor and it only cost a few dollars for a bag of ten. Consider them cheap insurance for the next time this happens (as it inevitably will).

Quoted for emphasis.

Every fencer's repair/tools bag should contain at least one bag of point screws and one of each type of spring.

To illustrate further: If/when my supply of point screws falls below 2 full bags (20 screws), I restock, usually 10 fresh bags (I know I'll need them sooner or later...)

[Sinestra]

I, too, can't emphasise enough how important it is to carry extra screws on you. I've lost them, had them pretty much dented into the barrel or stripped away (mm, german points), all sorts of brutal things--thankfully, with extras (and sometimes a dremel, among other things, heh) it's usually been pretty easy to fix.
I always have a bag of spare screws and springs in my fencing bag, along with some spare barrels and wires, just in case. I was kind of thrown headfirst into doing work on my own weapons, so now I'm just a little overly careful to make sure I won't get caught unprepared. Never hurts to have stuff on hand.

[fencerbill]

Cars need gasoline, weapons need screws. Except Sabres.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

Except Sabres.

It's true. Then all you need is a metal stick and someone to smash, and you're good to go

[remise]

You could also do what one of my kids did.

White cloth (cheap piece).

Magnetic strips hot-glued at various intervals along cloth.

Place foil or epee on cloth or over cloth and work away. When done, roll cloth up. Done.

[KD5MDK]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

It's true. Then all you need is a metal stick and someone to smash, and you're good to go

Scoring boxes help, in my experience.

[jfarmer]

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

Scoring boxes help, in my experience.

Nah, just give them a box that turns on the lights & buzzer pretty much randomly, and most sabreurs will be happy....

[KD5MDK]

They'll blame the referee.