Where do I buy spaghetti?

[lochinvar]

I have to re-wire an epee that has both wires in one piece of spaghetti--not legal for competition.

I have been unsuccessful at finding any spaghetti tubing with which to insulate the wires. Radio Shack doesn't carry anything that small, and Circuit City doesn't carry components AT ALL anymore.

Any other suggestions? Any answers appreciated; I need this weapon for the upcoming Sectionals.

[D'Artagnan1673]

I know for a fact that Triplette carrys spaghetti. I would guess, but am not positive, that all other vendors carry spaghetti.

[damianip]

Everyone knowa that spaghetti is available in the macaroni section of your favorite supermarket.

Actually, in a pinch, I've used very small diameter heat shrink tubing (the clear stuff). I can't remember the diameter... 1/16, 3/32nds?

Most decent electronic supply stores have it. Just don't shrink it on. I don't know if RS stockes it.

Triplette, Physical Chess, Blade, Amfence, and Fencesmart all definitely carry the real stuff.


Paolo

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
<strong>I know for a fact that Triplette carrys spaghetti. I would guess, but am not positive, that all other vendors carry spaghetti.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks, D'Art, but I was hoping there was a way to get it locally rather than pay $5.00 shipping for $1.20 worth of parts.

[Mr. Foilist]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>

Thanks, D'Art, but I was hoping there was a way to get it locally rather than pay $5.00 shipping for $1.20 worth of parts.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Use electrical tape. Take the piece of tape, cut it to length. Then, lay the wire down in the middle of the tape. The tape and the wire should be parallel in orientaion. Then, press the wire down to insure good adhesion.

Next, fold the sides of the tape up against each other so the they stick and the wire is stuck in the crease. Press the sides together, firmly.

Now, the wire should be completely surrounded by electrical tape. Take a pair of scissors and cut off the excess tape as close to the wire as you can while leaving just enough excess to make a seal between the flaps that you folded up possible.

Connect the wires to the socket as usual.

Is it legal? I dunno. I've done it plenty of times and have never been bothered about it. The rules only specify that the wire has to be insulated from the guard and socket. They say nothing about spaghetti tubing.

Good luck.

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by lochinvar:
<strong>I have to re-wire an epee that has both wires in one piece of spaghetti--not legal for competition.

I have been unsuccessful at finding any spaghetti tubing with which to insulate the wires. Radio Shack doesn't carry anything that small, and Circuit City doesn't carry components AT ALL anymore.

Any other suggestions? Any answers appreciated; I need this weapon for the upcoming Sectionals.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Loch...I think I still have your address from the other day...I'll send you some stuff on the house. I'll see if I can spare about 5 feet. Look for it in your mail in a couple'a days.

HOW did someone get both wires in the tubing? It's not that big!

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by Purple Fencer:
<strong>


Loch...I think I still have your address from the other day...I'll send you some stuff on the house. I'll see if I can spare about 5 feet. Look for it in your mail in a couple'a days.

HOW did someone get both wires in the tubing? It's not that big!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks, PF. I appreciate it.
Oh, and they used larger diameter tubing; it looks about the same size as the insulation on 14 AWG house wiring...

[oiuyt]

If gotten it at a local electronics supply store "You-Do-It Electronics". Considerably cheaper than buying from fencing vendors. They also have heat shrink tubing, but that's more expensive, might as well get what you want, especially when it's cheaper.

RS around me also doesn't carry the tubing, look for somewhere bigger is my suggestion.

-B

[Mergs]

I keep a spool of 22AWG or 24AWG hookup wire around for this reason. Cut a piece of wire about 1/4 to 1/2 inch longer than what you need, strip the insullation off (the same amount as the overage you cut), clamp the bare wire in a vise and pull the rest of the insulation off in one piece. Instant spaghetti!

I know, and I make my own pommel nuts, too.

[simonc]

[quote]Originally posted by damianip:
<strong>Actually, in a pinch, I've used very small diameter heat shrink tubing (the clear stuff). I can't remember the diameter... 1/16, 3/32nds?
Paolo</strong><hr></blockquote>

Heatshrink makes fantastic spaghetti. I use the 1.5mm variety, twice. I shrink the first lot down with a match, then re-shrink again. The result is incredibly robust, takes well to gel superglue (ahem) and requires mere seconds to apply, unlike the trad thread-the-straight-wire-through-the-curvy-spaghetti irritation.

[Bebop and Rocksteady]

Why not just visit your local supermarket?

[lochinvar]

[quote]Originally posted by Bebop and Rocksteady:
<strong>Why not just visit your local supermarket?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Ha...ha...ha...
Haven't heard that one before...

[Zelda]

simonc, where do you buy heatshrink from? Tandy or Dick Smith???

[Purple Fencer]

Loch, did you get the "pasta" I sent?

BTW, your knickers arrived this morning. Look in your personal email sometime this evening for the FedEx Ground tracking #.

Thanks fer the business! (shameless plug)

[Bebop and Rocksteady]

I guess I should read other people's posts before making my ingenious jokes...

[simonc]

[quote]Originally posted by Zelda:
<strong>simonc, where do you buy heatshrink from? Tandy or Dick Smith???</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Zelda,

I buy my shrink from Jaycar Electronics, which have stores in Sydney, Canberra (where I am), and I think Newcastle and Wollongong. Google them.

I've been using the clear 1.5mm variety, so I can see what is going on inside (esp handy if a guard is suspected of mashing the wire).

Cheers,

[Zelda]

Well that rules out Brissy, may have to send friends on a hunt!! Thanks Simon.