What spare tip parts to keep on hand?

[TodG]

I am putting together a kit for field repairs for electric weapons. It's been a long time since I've fenced, so I am looking for some suggestions of what spare parts - specifically tip parts - I should keep in my toolbox.

A List of essential replacement parts for both foil and epee would be most appreciated.

Thanks, Tod

[Purple Fencer]

Spares of everything....tips, screws (ESPECIALLY screws!), springs (both types if epee), barrels, and wires...you can never have enough.

[Mergs]

If you are just doing 'field repairs', then I'd say screws and springs, and possibly one or two tips. You won't have time to do anything that requires the rest of the stuff (wires, barrels, blades, etc.), unless all you are doing is armory type work. In that case, what the hell, bring the whole enchilada!

[TBean]

For field repairs I keep tip-screws, springs (both for epee), tips and superglue. Also, a test box, weight, shims, appropriate screw-drivers to make the repairs and a wrench to tighten a barrel. For foil you might want some tape as well. It all fits in one of my sons's old pencil cases from school.

In my larger box I have wires, barrels, glue more complete set of tools for repairs as I have been known to re-wire a weapon in a hotel room.

[D'Art]

Mustn't forget some cotton buds to clean the insides of the barrels.

[Fechter1]

Note: this is Epee.

For standard maintenance and quick fixes: tip screws, springs (contact and pressure), Qtips, cleaning solution, spare tips, continuity tester, steel wool (for guard cleaning), crazy glue, spare pommel nut, tightening tool, pliers.

For potential rebuilds: Dremel with wire brush, grinding, cutting wheel attachments, fletch-tite (longer-term glue), spare wires, point assemblies, a bending tool (long pipe for me) and of course my trusty mobile vise.

With the full setup, which is surprisingly compact, I am basically carrying a mobile armory... And yes, I have build weapons at tournaments, and actually used them...

[TodG]

Do most of you have standardized tips? I have a bunch of weapons accumulated over the years, with a mix of German, French and British points.

If you have a favorite point style, why do you prefer it?

Thanks

[Fechter1]

Originally Posted by TodG

Do most of you have standardized tips? I have a bunch of weapons accumulated over the years, with a mix of German, French and British points.

If you have a favorite point style, why do you prefer it?

Thanks

All my small electric parts are german (FWF). I would definitely advise standardizing your equipment in that respect. More manageable that way.

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by TodG

Do most of you have standardized tips? I have a bunch of weapons accumulated over the years, with a mix of German, French and British points.

You definitely want to standardize on a single manufacturer. It's practically a necessity with foil because no one is compatible with anyone else. Epee tends to be a little more forgiving - in a pinch most manufacturers parts will work - however you will tend to get better results by sticking with a single manufacturer.

If you have a favorite point style, why do you prefer it?

Most people prefer German (finer machining tends to make for a smoother action). Sometimes in epee people will use Leon Paul tip screws with French or German tips - the threads on the LP screws are cut to slightly higher standard than French or German screws so they tend to hold better. The downside is that once you put a LP screw into a tip there's no going back - a French or German screw won't stay put.

[DangerMouse]

Originally Posted by TodG

Do most of you have standardized tips? I have a bunch of weapons accumulated over the years, with a mix of German, French and British points.

If you have a favorite point style, why do you prefer it?

Thanks

For epee it doesn't matter much as all the parts are more or less interchangeable. The only part that's really different are the screws (LP have a slightly different threading than french or german). I standardized all of my screws to LP, but use a mix of LP and FWF parts.

[TBean]

Originally Posted by TodG

Do most of you have standardized tips? I have a bunch of weapons accumulated over the years, with a mix of German, French and British points.

If you have a favorite point style, why do you prefer it?

Thanks

Yes I standardized, it just makes it easier in the long run. A lot less labeling of small bits and pieces. I use German.

[TodG]

Thanks all. Looks like German is the favorite, and about half of what I have is that way. Epees are all German, but the foils are a mix. Time to rewire.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by TodG

Thanks all. Looks like German is the favorite, and about half of what I have is that way. Epees are all German, but the foils are a mix. Time to rewire.

Go for the FWF Xtra point....the protection they give the screws AND the resistance to denting are worth it.

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Go for the FWF Xtra point....the protection they give the screws AND the resistance to denting are worth it.

Seconded!

These are also sometimes referred to as "NextGen" points.

The nice things about the FWF Xtra/NextGen point is that it addresses the long-standing problems of dented barrels and mashed screws while maintaining compatibility with existing German tips, springs, wires and screws (only the barrel has changed). Their downside is that because the barrel wall is thicker it adds a little weight to the tip and it makes it that much easier to wrap too much tape around the barrel and fail weight test because the test weight got stuck on the tape.

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by SJCFU#2

Seconded!

These are also sometimes referred to as "NextGen" points.

The nice things about the FWF Xtra/NextGen point is that it addresses the long-standing problems of dented barrels and mashed screws while maintaining compatibility with existing German tips, springs, wires and screws (only the barrel has changed). Their downside is that because the barrel wall is thicker it adds a little weight to the tip and it makes it that much easier to wrap too much tape around the barrel and fail weight test because the test weight got stuck on the tape.

The weight differance is a whopping 9/10th of a gram...anyone who claims they can feel THAT slight of a differance 3 feet out on the end of a weapon isn't paying attention to his actual fencing.

All you need is ONE wrap of tape in any case....I've seen as many as FOUR,
and people wondering why the weight won't go down.

[keeper of the swords]

I use scotch brite pads instead of steel wool-- no conductive bits to find their way onto my magnetic parts tray (then onto a tip...) or in a barrel. I second (third?) using LP epee screws - period.

[Mergs]

This is amazing to see how a simple question of what spare TIP parts to have on hand to do field repairs has morphed into a discussion on what to bring with you to do everything but adjust the timing on an atomic clock! (shakes head; you'd think everyone on this forum was working for the government!)

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by Mergs

This is amazing to see how a simple question of what spare TIP parts to have on hand to do field repairs has morphed into a discussion on what to bring with you to do everything but adjust the timing on an atomic clock! (shakes head; you'd think everyone on this forum was working for the government!)

Well...you USED to....

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Bring it all.

And a dremel.

I've done rewires between pools and DE's.

Major pain in the ass, but sometimes you don't have time to dick around.

[Mergs]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Well...you USED to....

What do you mean 'USED to'? Who do you think paid my way out to see you last month?!??