Removing glue from good epee wire

[Fenric13]

History:
I have an epee, it's nice and wonderful and all. Problem is the wire in the last 6 inches of the foible has popped out. I was able to glue it back in a couple of times so i could keep using it at practice, but it is now to the point where that is no longer an option.

Question:
The wire is still in really good condition, but it is covered in glue. It originally came from merchant with some old stiff glue. Also- I was able to remove tip without damage to the wire ( A miracle.) Is there any way to remove the old glue to re-use the wire?

[Mergs]

You should be able to remove most of the clue with acetone, but it depends on the insulation on the wire. If it is cotton wrapped, you're ok, but if it is vinyl or some other plastic, you could eat up the insulation and ruin the wire.

That said, since you have removed the tip and the wire (congrats, btw, for being able to do so without breaking the wire!), why not just replace the wire? MUCH easier fix.

[piste off]

Another option (next time this happens) is to use a more flexible glue (Pliobond is ideal) which does not have the same stringent requirements (e.g. utlra clean wire/blade) as the glues most people use.

I've had wires from vendors pop out to the point where there was 1/2 to 1" gap between the wire and blade, and re-glued it using Pliobond so that I could continue to fence it without rewiring. Not pretty, but it worked and saved a total re-wire job.

This technique is best used for blades that are older and where you don't want to re-wire only to have it break a month later. For a newer blade, might be better to just re-wire it.

R-