Fencing Scoring Boxes

[bgkyer]

Is anyone aware of the touch timing specific for epee/foil/saber on scoring boxes? I've cobbled together a simple epee scoring box using one of the Parallax Basic2 stamp demo boards (so far the total cost is < $100 usd) but I haven't a clue for saber/foil...

These are going to be used as practice scoring machines so it doesn't need to be perfect, just close enough.

Thanks
Brad

[catwood1]

Is anyone aware of the touch timing specific for epee/foil/saber on scoring boxes? I've cobbled together a simple epee scoring box using one of the Parallax Basic2 stamp demo boards (so far the total cost is < $100 usd) but I haven't a clue for saber/foil...

These are going to be used as practice scoring machines so it doesn't need to be perfect, just close enough.

Thanks
Brad

I don't know the specs that you're looking for, but a practice box should be perfect. You don't want a box that is SIMILAR to a real machine. You want a practice box that IS a real machine. Otherwise you might as well practice foil fencing on old timing.

[pgillard]

Look at Appendix B to the material rules. For foil and sabre there are resistance criteria to be considered, as well.

[bgkyer]

Thanks for the info. I obviously I don't want it to be "technically different" which is why I posed the question to those who may know the answer or where to find it.... and as a cheap practice stand-in I want it to work "as close to real as possible". Hopefully as a side effect it may further interest in some of the jr/high school kids in our club to learn more about electronics, that is, more than just plugging in their ipod (and of course, fencing).

For now I'll be happy with a working epee setup and then i'll move on to foil/saber as I know they have some interesting differences, technically speaking.

Brad

[SJCFU#2]

Since you'll also presumably will need reels, and they tend to be even more expensive than scoring machines, you might consider simply buying a Hitmate epee system. Otherwise by the time you've built your own machine and reels (or bungee system, or whatever) you might find yourself having spent almost as much as the Hitmate would cost.

Plus, given the reservations some people have initially expressed about using the Hitmate system what makes you think they will be any more trusting of a scoring system that you've put together on your own? Especially given that based on your original post it sounds pretty much like you are winging it based on how you think a scoring machine should work rather than what's in the rules (FWIW, you wouldn't be the first to make that mistake - for details I suggest reading the "history" portion of this web page - in fact you may do well simply to base your own efforts on what Eric has provided).

[catwood1]

Reminds me of the story of the person who was 90% done with building his own scoring box, then asked "Well, I'm almost done, but I have 1 question: whats the deal with this A, B, and C line stuff?"