Point adjustment
and cleaning
Most problems with epees can be fixed in the point.
(see above or click here for information)
Plug the epee into your test box using the bodywire/cord.
No light should show.
When the tip is depressed, the red light should light.
In the illustration, the epee is locked in the vice and
the tip depressed by my foot.
If this is not the case you should
check the bodywire/cord please read bodywire section below.
Place a 750 gram test weight gently on the tip of the
epee; the light should remain off. The tip has to have
more than a 750 gram weight resistance to be legal.
Next, place your finger gently on the test weight and
increase the pressure applied. This should make the tester’s
red light turn on.
To test the travel of an epee use the 0.50 mm feeler gauge.
“Travel” is how far the tip has to move before
a hit is registered. When the 0.50 mm front gauge is placed
between the barrel and the tip and the tip depressed until
there is no space between the tip gauge and barrel, no
light should show on the tester.
If any of these tests do not work, follow these instructions:
Clamp the epee in the vise so the top stays still and,
using a magnetized point screwdriver, remove the two small
tip/grub screws.
These are the parts found in an epee point.
The tip has a small contact spring which is what closes
the circuit and makes a hit register. When this contact
spring is too long, the epee will fail the 0.50 mm feeler
gauge test. When the spring is too short the weapon will
either not register hits or will register intermitantly.
If the spring is too short it can be either replaced or
stretched. To stretch the spring you should insert your
fingernail or a small screwdriver near where the spring
enters the point and then pull the spring gently to stretch
it. In order to stretch the spring evenly you may find
it best to rotate the point at which your nail/screwdriver
is inserted into the spring.
If the large spring, which controls the pressure needed
to score a hit, fails the 750 gram weight test ie. the
spring no longer lifts a 750g weight then this spring
is too weak and should be replaced.
Epee point parts can be bought in bags as a rewire set
or individually.
(click here to go to the top of the page)
