Before, a fencing club in the making

[SJCFU#2]

Bouts being fenced on the practice strips (5 and 6) aren't as likely to have a referee so why not mount the machines for each strip on the wall above the end of the strip and add extension lights in the middle (above the other end - possible mounted to the same frame as your vertical bungee systems). That way the machines would in relatively safe, yet readily accessible locations, you wouldn't need frames suspend from the ceiling near mid-strip for the machines, and both fencers could readily see the lights at each end of the strip.

[Joe biebel]

Bouts being fenced on the practice strips (5 and 6) aren't as likely to have a referee so why not mount the machines for each strip on the wall above the end of the strip and add extension lights in the middle (above the other end - possible mounted to the same frame as your vertical bungee systems). That way the machines would in relatively safe, yet readily accessible locations, you wouldn't need frames suspend from the ceiling near mid-strip for the machines, and both fencers could readily see the lights at each end of the strip.

I had not thought about that. I like that idea a lot. Thanks

[keeper of the swords]

Location? In 3rd ward ? My son plans on attending MIAD, and was looking for a place to fence in Milwaukee.

[erooMynohtnA]

Since Joe has given out the exact location yet, I won't either.

Bad news, it's not in the 3rd ward. (I don't think it is, anyway.)

Good news, you literally could not have a closer fencing club unless it was in the MIAD building. I have to walk further from where I park to get to my club than he would have to walk to Joe's place from MIAD.

[Joe biebel]

Location? In 3rd ward ? My son plans on attending MIAD, and was looking for a place to fence in Milwaukee.

erooMynohtnA is correct about the location in relation to MIAD. We actually do not have an address yet. It is approximately 230 S. Water st. and is located in the fifth ward. The location is really quite a find, as the neighborhood is full of many interesting and entertaining places such as schools, theaters, restaurants, antique stores and businesses. The area has been mostly taken over by "high-end" condominium developments. Most importantly, there is a coffee shop right across the street.

I am starting to log the various businesses restaurants and activities that go on, in and around the new club. We will post a map, in the club, of the area showing where we are and where things like restaurants are located. I have the feeling that MSFA (Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy) will be a place, and an area that people will enjoy coming to.

We will most certainly be open in March and all will be welcome. If you wish, you can send man email address, and I will make sure you go on our email list for events, and practices.

[Qbranch]

The location is really quite a find, as the neighborhood is full of many interesting and entertaining places such as schools, theaters, restaurants, antique stores and businesses. The area has been mostly taken over by "high-end" condominium developments. Most importantly, there is a coffee shop right across the street.

I am starting to log the various businesses restaurants and activities that go on, in and around the new club. We will post a map, in the club, of the area showing where we are and where things like restaurants are located. I have the feeling that MSFA (Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy) will be a place, and an area that people will enjoy coming to.

This all sounds very exciting and please do keep us informed of your progress. Your comments in this post (and elsewhere in this thread) indicate that you are very much interested in connecting with the environment outside of the club (ie., integrating with the community as it experiences urban renewal). There seems to be a golden opportunity to attract the interest of those who are frequenting the museums, theatres, restaurants, schools (etc.) that you refer to. In this respect it might be advantageous to set aside a small amount of space in the salle, if at all possible, for a 'visitors' area. I'm thinking here of a relaxed, inviting space with comfortable seating where visitors can sit down (perhaps with the coffees they've purchased across the street), and look over clearly accessible information on the club and fencing in general. This same area could also be equipped with a video monitor for viewing promotional fencing footage (or even closed circuit monitoring of fencers on the club pistes).

Money and space are always issues of course and I don't know if this quite falls in line with your interests.

[Joe biebel]

Here http://picasaweb.google.com/joefence...cademyBuildout is a link to the first photo album that I am posting. Most of these photos had to be digitally brightened to be useful the original ambient lighting was terrible. This is sort of a "before" group. Try using the slideshow feature for effective viewing on your computer. I shall add additional albums as things progress.

[Joe biebel]

Added a bunch more photos of the the demo and buildout progress. The free program "Picasa2" (photo organization and web posting) is amazing. I won't have to dump photos from my f.net account anymore.

http://picasaweb.google.com/joefence...cademyBuildout

[fencerbill]

Good luck.

Are you committed to bungee? Did you consider elevated reels mounted from the ceiling as Prise de Fer does?

If you use bungees, it is really convenient to have clevis pins in the pulleys the cable to the fencers goes through. Then you can change the cables without tools. You can change to a spare cable in a minute and repair the cables at a bench. Contact me if you need more info.

For your intermittent use of next door for tournaments: Look for used commercial carpet to roll out upside down to put your strips on.

If you go non-profit the source can get a write off. If not it will still be cheap, good cushioning and good traction.

[sir alasdair]

Even so, the walls will be padded.

Like that room you go back to when your weekend pass runs out? Is that a fencing jacket or a straightjacket?

*chuckle* sorry, couldn't resist...

[Joe biebel]

Good luck.

Are you committed to bungee? Did you consider elevated reels mounted from the ceiling as Prise de Fer does?

If you use bungees, it is really convenient to have clevis pins in the pulleys the cable to the fencers goes through. Then you can change the cables without tools. You can change to a spare cable in a minute and repair the cables at a bench. Contact me if you need more info.

For your intermittent use of next door for tournaments: Look for used commercial carpet to roll out upside down to put your strips on.

If you go non-profit the source can get a write off. If not it will still be cheap, good cushioning and good traction.

As far as the bungees go, the wire portion pulleys are connected to the bungee system with spring loaded clips. Changeout is very fast. While I am familiar with "PDF's" system via photos, I'm not sure I want the connecting plug going up. I prefer the floor height feed on our system.

When we have the system in place, I will do a photo album of the technical aspects and post it here. I expect there wil be a great deal of flattery, in the form of copying, when other clubs see this system in action.