epee shim test failure

[Pierfrancesco]

my epee failed the shim test. how do i fix it?

[sallearmourer]

Step one remove the tip.

Step two. You see the small spring(contact spring) that needs to be screw down onto the post problem about two turns.

Do you have your own shims. To test if it will pass put the tip back in with the main springs without the screws and depress the tip with the 0.05 shims in and see if your test box goes off. If it dosn't go off you have it adjust to pass shim but also test it without the shims to make sure it work. If the epee doesn't work you need to adjust by pull the contact spring out again where it work when fenceing.


Tim

[DHCJr]

I agree with Tim on the shortening of the travel spring, but I do disagree somewhat on the lengthening. Because the travel springs are so fragile, I always twist the springs clockwise (tightening), but the difference is I do not push down on the spring and it will ‘Jump the track’, thus lengthen. Pulling or turning the spring counter-clockwise (loosening) tends to make the spring to not hold itself in place as well.

You might also look at the post ‘Epee Shim Gauges’ for the suggestion to use a gauge slightly less than 0.5mm.

Also, if I were rich I would take the suggestion on the German Foil screws. Many fencers have their weapons set so close to the limit; they would have to adjust the spring several times a tournament. That would be expensive. My suggestion would be to protect the screws better. My suggestion would be to cut a third piece, just slightly wider than the screws and place it over both screws underneath the tape that goes around the barrel.

[sallearmourer]

Donald

It's cheaper to replace the screws then replace all of the German parts. When I do cleaning and adjust the german tips the cost inclues new screws. Some of them I get are on the edge of being totaled. If you fence Nac you now can get away with extra tape on the tips. The weights hole has been widen to allow for different epee tips. Even with the extra tape I still see alot of flated out german screw.


When I do epee tips at NAC I replace the contact spring and screws all this as part of the cost of tip work. The epee I work on will pass any of the USFA shims.


Tim

[DHCJr]

I agree with you, but you are a professional, the suggestion was for an amateur who opens their tip several times a tournament. Also the amount of tape I suggested is not enough to be too much.

When I have worked with the U.S. Team, the USFA does not pay for parts, the fencers would not be willing to pay for new screws every time I needed to adjust their tips, and I can’t afford it. In all the trips I have done, I have never had a screw so bad, that I couldn’t get it out, BUT that is because the weapons are checked between each and every bout by professionals. Most fencers do not do a thorough job of checking every piece of equipment between bouts, replacing the tape, if there is the least amount of damage.

Also talking about the shims, I was also directing my answer to the fencer, who was asking how to fix his own epee.

I am sure you would agree that Professionals would do things differently from amateurs. I apologize that I wasn’t as clear as I should have been in whom I was directing my explanation to.

[sallearmourer]

Donald, Oh I agree with you about the US Teams.


But usually I get them after someone else as try to get them out.

The funniest thing I had written on a repair tag one time was

Hubby work on it doesn't work Fix please

The cost of springs and screws is factor in on the price.


Tim

[Zilverzmurfen]

Hi everyone!

If you´re experiencing trouble with your epéetips you might want to check out this very easy and informative page:

http://www.duellist.com/epeemain.html

It's hosted by Bruce Dickinson, former singer of Iron Maiden and also a fencer!

// Zz