Odd eppe point failure

[ejemyr]

Hi,

I'm by no means an accomplished armorer, but skilled enough to buld or re-build an epee or foil now and then.

Today I’ve experienced a first. One of my son’s epees was failing, grounding out (only) when point was pressed. After much searching, I found out that when one of the point screws was unscrewed half way, problem disappeared. Solved it quick-and-dirty by putting an itty-bitty (0.5mm sq) piece of plastic tape on the bottom of the epee screw.

Is this a common or odd problem?

BTW, this was a Leon Paul, size 2, non FIE blade with standard (non-coated) point.

Regards,

[Craig]

Is the problem still there with a new/replacement point screw?

Craig

[ejemyr]

Nope, this seems to "insulate" the screw.

[SJCFU#2]

Sounds like a screw worked its way through the layer of plastic insulation sandwiched between the metal core and outer jacket of the epee tip. When the tip is pressed down the contact spring touches the contacts at the base of the barrel and the core portion of the tip becomes part of the circuit. Normally the plastic keeps current from leaking out into the outer jacket however when the insulation failed the screw provided a path for current to get from the core to the outer jacket, the barrel and eventually the blade (hence the grounded weapon). Backing off on the screw will break its contact with the core of the tip, which is why the ground went away when you started to take the screw out.

While it's not what I would consider a common problem it's certainly not unheard of. It sounds like the tape you added is taking the place of the faulty insulation so the problem has gone away for now but you will probably have to replace that tip sooner or later.

[ejemyr]

Thanks!
A luxury to have experts so nearby!

I may perhaps have to learn to be less forceful when screwing in epee point screws...

Regards,

[Alex_Paul]

Yep, diagosis correct by the aforementioned experts.

If screw really hard or tighten the screws very regurlely you can drill the screw through the nylon. Leon Paul screws don't tend to work their way loose as much as some others so once they are in you shouldn't need to worry about them.

[DangerMouse]

This is a problem I've only had with LP points and screws. Of course, it's really rare and the benefits of the LP screws far outweigh this problem.

[XanderHal]

Yes I've also had this problem with LP regular tips and screws, not with Germans.

I think it was Cville who gave me the advice to paint some nail polish on the ends of the screws to insulate them. I got this to work eventually, but now that I'm aware of the problem I will be more careful when tightening the screws and it shouldn't happen again.

Are the LP GT tips subject to this problem as well?

[fencerbill]

Thanks!
A luxury to have experts so nearby!

I may perhaps have to learn to be less forceful when screwing in epee point screws...

Regards,

Screwing too hard can get you in trouble in a multitude of ways.

[Purple Fencer]

Screwing too hard can get you in trouble in a multitude of ways.

Not even TOUCHING that one!!!

[telkanuru]

It's really bugging me that epee is spelled with 2 ps.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

It's really bugging me that epee is spelled with 2 ps.

If you can't even manage to make a joke out of it, you should go to sleep............

[Alex_Paul]

Are the LP GT tips subject to this problem as well?

Yes, the insulation on both serves two purposes firstly insulation (obviously!) and secondly to push the screw back into the threads locking it and helping to keep it in place. If we make the plastic harder to prevent the chance of screwing through it then you also lose the additional benefit of it acting as a lock.

[telkanuru]

If you can't even manage to make a joke out of it, you should go to sleep............

I can't be on top of my game all the time, sadly.