Faulty spools can manifest a variety of different problems.

A continuous or intermitent off target light at foil on the same side as the spool at fault.

At foil, on the side of the spool at fault – a continuous or intermitent failure for an on target hit to be registered on the lame jacket.

At epee, on the side of the spool at fault – valid hits being registered on the guard.

The lead failing to retract back into the body of the spool.

At foil, a failure to register any hit on the side of the spool at fault.

Repairing broken springs

A Leon Paul spool contains three springs, each contained with cases. When a spring breaks, the lead will fail to return back into the body of the spool.

1. Open up the spool by removing the knurled nut on the side and lifting off the outer half of the spool to reveal the inner real onto which the lead winds and in the centre of this the socket and contacts.
2. Lift out the socket and contact unit and then lift of the real. Take care in doing this, one of the risks in repairing spools is allowing a spring to ‘escape’ and this can occur at this point if one of the springs is stuck to the real and its casing comes of as the real is lifted off. The real connects to the first spring with a square socket, if it feels that this is stuck, gently flex the real and it will loosen. This will reveal the springs in their casings.
3. Now it is neccesarry to determine which spring is broken. Twist the square socket in the center of the first spring and try to feel if there is any break in this spring. Lift of each spring trying the same test, taking care that the casing of each spring does not split appart causing the spring to escape. This test may or may not reveal which spring is broken.
4. Using a screwdriver, lift the cover of the spring case you first suspect and inspect the spring for breaks. The most common place for breaks is just near the screw which retains the spring to the outer case.