| Clamp the epee securely in the vice, with the handle up and the wires facing towards you. Remove the Hex nut and any washers, as well as the handle. |
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Unscrew the wire holders in the inside guard socket, and remove the Pad and IGS.
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Remove both the Guard and the two plastic sleeves insulating the wires. Retain the sleeves for re-assemble.
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Remove both the Guard and the two plastic sleeves insulating the wires. Retain the sleeves for re-assemble.
Rotate the blade in the vice so that the tip can be worked on, and disassemble the point. Place the parts( complete epee tip, weight spring and two grub screws)in a dish or on a magnet and remove the epee point base.Once this is removed, use a point setting screwdriver and poke out the nylon wire cup inside the base. |
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Rotate the blade in the vice so that the tip can be worked on, and disassemble the point.
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Once the point is apart, carefully examine for wear and place to one side. Then either insert a suitable tool into both screw holes or use a spanner to unscrew the barrel.
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Use a small screwdriver or stiff paperclip and push out the plastic contact block from the epee point base.
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Then rotate the blade in the vice again so that the wires are uppermost.
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Then using a pair of pliers, remove both the wires.
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Once the wire is out, use a broken hacksaw blade or craft knife to clean the last of the glue out. This will also score the surface slightly and provide a good key for the blade glue.
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Carefully unwind the new wire and ensure that it is straight and free of knots. Then thread the wire through the barrel, stopping just above so that the wire can rotate freely.
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Rotate the blade in the vice point uppermost. Drip a small amount of Locknut onto the thread (do not use super glue)
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Then screw on the barrel, tightening with a small spanner. During this process it is essential that you do not trap the wires, so ensure that they are free running by moving them up and down whilst
tightening. |
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Use an epee point seating tool to correctly press home the plastic cap into the point base. If you do not have one, use a small screwdriver, but be aware that any uneven pressure on the two contact points may cause you problems with the travel spring.
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Once this is done re-assemble the point, checking for signs of wear and tear. (see point reassembly)
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Turn the blade round in the vice and wrap some tape around the tang as shown. This will protect the wire whilst securing the wire to the tang.
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| Run your fingers down the epee wire, ensuring that there are no kinks and run the wires down the bottom of the blade groove,side-by-side and parallel to each other along the entire length of the blade. Then double the wire back along itself, then around the tang several times to secure it.(wrap_wire1180.jpg) |
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Pre-tension the blade, either with string or using a length of chain. Use an epee wire seating tool to ensure that the wire is held in the correct position for gluing, and glue the handle end first.(glue_wire1230.jpg)
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When this is dry, undo the wire from the tang. This will prevent the wire from sticking to the tang if too much glue is run down the blade. Rotate the blade in the vice again, and allow several drops of glue to run down the blade. Do not use excess glue, and do not start gluing to near the barrel. Capillary pressure will put glue inside the point if you do not leave a gap of 3mm. (glue_wire_length1254.jpg)
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Once the blade glue has dried, remove the tensioner and place tang uppermost in the vice. Slide on two plastic insulating sleeves and ensure they rest just on the shoulders. It is possible to fix them in place with a drop of glue. (glue sleeves.jpg)
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Re-assemble the handle. This process is essentially a reversal of the disassembly, however care must be taken to ensure that the wires pass under the recess cut in the handle and guard.(under arch.jpg)If they do not, the wires are likely to be pinched, causing problems later.This can be very easily examined if you use one of LP's new see through guard pads.
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| Once the weapon is re-assembled and working, check both travel(link)and weight(link) before using. |
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© 2004 C Wheeler and Leon Paul
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