Barrels loose!

[CarlKnoch]

I have a newer foil that was giving me trouble with random off-targets. It's French tipped. I checked the tip, screws, spring, and they were all fine. I checked the two-prong and the wire, and they were fine as well. Everything was hooked up properly, so I went on.

It continued to give me trouble, proving that you can't just ignore it and think it will go away just because you can't find the reason for the difficulty..... I decided to take it apart and found that after I removed the tip tape, the barrel was slightly loose. I tried to tighten it, with proper tools and everything, to no avail. When I try to tighten it, it either feels tight but loosens up after one or two touches, or when I turn it I hear a click like it has a stripped thread and it continues to turn. I checked the threading on the end of the foil and it's fine. I didn't take the barrel off as I didn't want to re-wire if I didn't have to, so I have no idea what the threads in the barrel look like.

Is there a way to stop that kind of loose barrel aside from constantly needing to tighten it between touches? Could it be that my barrel isn't threaded properly, and I need to replace that? Is that a common problem on french barrels??

A little help here would go a long way....
C

[tiger fencer]

In my experience, yes French barrels are more likely to loosen up than German. Its doubtful that the blade or the barrel's threading is stripped, if both are new.

I'd recommend using two pliars, or a pliar and wrench if the barrel has flats, or best a vice and wrench, to tighten. Grasp the blade firmly with the pliars, and tighten the barrel until you see the blade start to twist. You'd rather rewire than break your blade.

However I doubt this will last long, you've probably tried the above already. The safest thing to do is to tighten between each point.

You could use a glue to tighten it but this is risky. If you use too much you could ruin your cup. I used this with some success. First, loosen your barrel as much as you dare, or until you feel a slight ressistence to your turning. You don't want to twist off your wire or cup. Put a tiny amount of superglue at the base of the barrel and blade thread, just enough to wet the surface. Then tighten barrel. Make sure the tip is upright, so the glue won't drain into your point. Again this is risky, and it may not work.

[Mergs]

I wouldn't recommend using superglue. There is a product called Loctite that has several grades tha t you apply to threads to keep them from backing off. They range from "you can break me loose with your fingers, if you really try" to "I ain't coming loose for the second coming of Christ!" I would suggest something in between. They are color coded, but it has been so long since I have worked with them that I can't really tell you which one is which. I think Loctite-Red is the later of the above description. Good Luck!

[Artisan]

Originally posted by Mergs
They are color coded, but it has been so long since I have worked with them that I can't really tell you which one is which. I think Loctite-Red is the later of the above description. Good Luck!

Blue is the regular, red is "extra" There is also green, with the same holding as blue, but low viscosity and can wick into threads after tightening - don't use this on a point!

None of them will work well if the threads are dirty or oily.

[CarlKnoch]

Thanks all.

I once upon a time had to use loctite on a job I had, and for some reason my brain wasn't pulling that up for this application. I saw that post from Mergs and thought, "Whoa! I know all about loctite, but just didn't think of that for this!"

Local auto supply/hardware store, here I come.

[Windsor]

Originally posted by Artisan
Blue is the regular, red is "extra" There is also green, with the same holding as blue, but low viscosity and can wick into threads after tightening - don't use this on a point!

None of them will work well if the threads are dirty or oily.

Wait, wouldn't it be good to use the green so you can keep the threads tight after re-tighening? I have frequent trouble with French tips and this green stuff sounds like just the ticket, unless it would be too hard to get off?