Those flanges that screw on to the tip...

[Purple Fencer]

Does anyone know of a source for those little flanges thagt screw onto the tip of an electric foil or epee blade...the ones designed to hold a rubber tip?? StM has provided them in the past, but I ran out a long time ago and it's not feasible to get them from StM again.

[Sean Butler]

Unfortunately I can't answer your question but I feel defeated that I cannot even read the word "flange" without thinking "flunge". o.O

Carry on...

[SJCFU#2]

Have you considered using T-nuts (preferably the type without prongs, although I suppose you could file those off on your own)?

Finding small, metric T-nuts might be a challenge - I managed to find one listing online for one listing for 4mm but nothing for 3.5mm (although perhaps you could tap out a #6 T-nut to 3.5x0.6mm).

edit: Personally I've always favored using an old point as a dummy point when I need to put something on the end of an electric blade (provides a use for old French points that I might otherwise pitch).

[Purple Fencer]

Have you considered using T-nuts (preferably the type without prongs, although I suppose you could file those off on your own)?

Finding small, metric T-nuts might be a challenge - I managed to find one listing online for one listing for 4mm but nothing for 3.5mm (although perhaps you could tap out a #6 T-nut to 3.5x0.6mm).

edit: Personally I've always favored using an old point as a dummy point when I need to put something on the end of an electric blade (provides a use for old French points that I might otherwise pitch).

I agree....but this if for eventual replacement of SwordPlay's dry blades as they snap. We have a LOT of after school and party programs, and I'm replacing broken blades fairly frequently. Our owner understands that replacing dry carbon steel blades with unwired FIEs will cost him less in the long run, but we have a concern that parents at parties might not like a metal tip on the end. WE know that little kids don't land the point....they slap like bad sabre, but I'd like to find a way to put the rubbers on anyway.

if not, I can get a supply of screwless foil points and put them on...might be easier to find.

[SJCFU#2]

In that case have you considered dipping solid dummy points in Plastisol?

The coating may have to be renewed from time to time, but it shouldn't be that expensive and as long as you don't remove the old layers it will build up over time, making the point less and less intimidating to parents (I suspect someone who uses Plastisol on their grips might be able to provide more insight).

[Purple Fencer]

In that case have you considered dipping solid dummy points in Plastisol?

The coating may have to be renewed from time to time, but it shouldn't be that expensive and as long as you don't remove the old layers it will build up over time, making the point less and less intimidating to parents (I suspect someone who uses Plastisol on their grips might be able to provide more insight).

That had not occurred to me. Thanks!

[chinbeard]

...or dip dented/otherwise useless French barrels in plastisol: I'm sure you can find them in the garbage at local tournaments.

[Purple Fencer]

Because of so many programs outside the salle, we've decided to stay with rubber tips for now....but I AM going to dip a few un-rubbered dry blade ends in the plastisol...we'll see if a small layer will help keep the ends from popping through.

[SJCFU#2]

Because of so many programs outside the salle, we've decided to stay with rubber tips for now....but I AM going to dip a few un-rubbered dry blade ends in the plastisol...we'll see if a small layer will help keep the ends from popping through.

You might also try dipping a few of dry blades into plastisol, rubber tip and all - might help keep the rubber tips from coming off in the middle of a bout.

[EldRick]

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.leonpaulusa.com/acatalog/...pee_Point.html

[Purple Fencer]

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.leonpaulusa.com/acatalog/...pee_Point.html

No....that's a full dummy point....I can get those already (those are what were shot down). What I'm taking about is a small flange that screws onto the end of a blade and is designed only to provide a nail-head for a rubber tip to grab on to. Now that I have my cell phone running again, I'll see if I can take a pic of the epee ones I have.

[EldRick]

If the parents have a fetish for rubber, maybe you could use the LP dummy point and cover it with the type of rubber/plastic wire-tip feet that you'd find at any hardware store.

They are typically used as feet for small objects made of 1/8" to 1/4" wire, and are probably in the section where furniture feet, bumpers, felt pads, etc. are found. They come in a half-dozen sizes - big ones are called crutch-tips.

They would be way more durable than plasti-dip.

[Purple Fencer]

If the parents have a fetish for rubber, maybe you could use the LP dummy point and cover it with the type of rubber/plastic wire-tip feet that you'd find at any hardware store.

They are typically used as feet for small objects made of 1/8" to 1/4" wire, and are probably in the section where furniture feet, bumpers, felt pads, etc. are found. They come in a half-dozen sizes - big ones are called crutch-tips.

They would be way more durable than plasti-dip.

We might hit a cost angle there, tho...I can get a lot of rubber tips cheaply....not so much if we went the solid point with a rubber cover route.

[EldRick]

You're buying FIE blades so they will last forever and you're griping about $2.35?

The solid tips will be reusable forever, and thus are infinitely cost-effective...

[Purple Fencer]

You're buying FIE blades so they will last forever and you're griping about $2.35?

The solid tips will be reusable forever, and thus are infinitely cost-effective...

The FIE blades will be a slooooowwww buy....we're talking ones and twos at the most. And you have no idea how fast we go through rubber tips....between all the after-school programs and other such abuses, we figure the salle alone goes through around a gross per month. The kids drag them on teh ground and they wear out extremely fast....no amount of talking to is going to change their behavior, so constantly replacing is the only option.

I had argued initially for unwired electric points...the issue however is one of perception...school and uninitiated parents are going to feel a lot safer letting their wee ones do any sort of fencing if they see the big rubber tip. People like US know it's an illusion at best, especially since most kids slap like bad sabre, but we have to work within those perceptions if we want to maintain those programs, which can be somewhat lucrative to both teh salle and those doing the instruction.

It's not my call...I made my recommendations, but the owner writes the checks...

[DangerMouse]

Why not just put rubber tips over unwired electric points? You don't even need a full tip assembly, just an old barrel, a rubber tip, and a little tape to make sure it stays on.

[Purple Fencer]

Why not just put rubber tips over unwired electric points? You don't even need a full tip assembly, just an old barrel, a rubber tip, and a little tape to make sure it stays on.

The tips/barrels are 6mm wide or so....FAR larger than a rubber tip will allow.

[EldRick]

The tips/barrels are 6mm wide or so...

Which is why you would use hardware-store rubber feet on them. They will fit the empty barrels and/or the screw-on dummy tips.

[Purple Fencer]

Which is why you would use hardware-store rubber feet on them. They will fit the empty barrels and/or the screw-on dummy tips.

I'll give it a shot....but I don't think there's a lot for the rubber to grab onto...

[DangerMouse]

The tips/barrels are 6mm wide or so....FAR larger than a rubber tip will allow.

I've never had any more trouble getting a standard rubber tip over a barrel than I have had getting it over the flat flange of a dry blade. Drop the tips in boiling water for a few seconds and they slide right on.