MP63 Set - Raw!

[williamsnrb]

*Thanks for helping with my photo problem, Hawkeye77!

 

So I've always played blades, but last year I put a used set of MP63's in the bag. I liked them, but the blade-bug bit me and I put the MP33's back in. I tried to sell the 63's on the BST for cheap, but they had quite a bit of browning and no one bought them. Despite having DG Pro S300's in my 33's, I've had trouble hitting the mid/long irons high enough over the last couple of years (my swing speed has dropped as I'm getting further away from my playing days) and I hit the mid/long irons in the 63's wonderfully. Anyway, I thought putting the 63's back in play would be the answer, but they were pretty brown. So, I took the heads off and took them to a local chrome shop. They stripped the chrome and blasted them, and I reinstalled the heads today. They look really cool if I do say so myself. I think they look a lot like the JPX900 heads, which appeal to me. I know they will rust, but I like that look, too, so no worries there. Anyway, check them out. The ferrules have not been turned down yet and I suspect I'll need to add lead tape to get the swing weight back up. The chrome guy said that they only lost about 5g of weight per head in the process, though, so hopefully it won't be too bad (about 2.5 swing weight lighter).

[williamsnrb]

I'll take better pictures tomorrow after they've dried and I turn the ferrules.

[tobybear]

Quick build question,

 

You dont let your clubs cure like that head up do you?

 

Either way the heads look awesome!!

[williamsnrb]

Quick build question,

 

You dont let your clubs cure like that head up do you?

 

Either way the heads look awesome!!

 

Sure do. I learned it years ago when I was in the PGA program. The reason behind it is the heavy heads don't allow potential bubbles to push the heads off of the shafts (slight separation). If you build enough clubs with the shafts up to cure, one day you'll come back to find a shaft (or multiple) that separated slightly between the ferrule and the edge of the neck. Newer epoxy doesn't allow this nearly as much as the older stuff, but a habit is a habit. :)

[williamsnrb]

Also, I still use the 24 hour cure epoxy.

[WanLefty]

Just a note for next time - I'd use a finer grit blast media. Something like glass beads. Will be a better wearing raw finish.

 

Being raw now you can clean them up super easily so no big deal anyway.

 

Well done on actually doing something like this as most people just talk about it.

 

Wan

[williamsnrb]

Just a note for next time - I'd use a finer grit blast media. Something like glass beads. Will be a better wearing raw finish.

 

Being raw now you can clean them up super easily so no big deal anyway.

 

Well done on actually doing something like this as most people just talk about it.

 

Wan

 

Thanks for the input! Actually, he did use glass beads because I have read that sand takes off more metal (weight) than glass does. After I get them finished up tomorrow, I'll take better pictures. These pictures aren't the best because it was raining in Memphis today. Couldn't use the sun.

 

I've actually thought about doing this for a long time, but never did (just like you said). But after this set didn't sell, I thought it was a perfect time to try it. I'm excited to see how they turn out in the end!

[Philipp]

Sure he used glass? Maybe super coarse grit.

Fine glass beads would have left an almost glossy satin finish.

[Boiler0007]

Perfect candidates for Brichwood Casey plum brown finish, or torched with WD40!

[williamsnrb]

I turned down the ferrules and am really excited to hit these clubs! Here are close up pictures:

[williamsnrb]

Sure he used glass? Maybe super coarse grit.

Fine glass beads would have left an almost glossy satin finish.

 

Hmmm... he said he used glass, but maybe I'll call him and see if it was coarse or fine. This is the first time I've done something like this, so I'm not familiar with the difference in looks. It would appear from the comments that this finish is not as fine as it would have been with fine glass. Is there a long term difference between the two approaches?

[williamsnrb]

Perfect candidates for Brichwood Casey plum brown finish, or torched with WD40!

 

I've been considering adding a Birchwood blue on these (I've got some on hand from previous putter projects), but wasn't sure how it would wear. I'm really not looking to have high maintenance irons (I already have 2-3 putters that have to be babied :) ). I've torched putters with oil quenching in the past, but they are high maintenance, too. That's why I didn't go that route prior to installing the heads. I'm thinking about just letting them rust. I've seen other raw sets that I liked that were rusted. What do you think about the blue?

[williamsnrb]

Here's the set at the range yesterday. Rusty and awesome! The decrease in swing weight was not too bad, but I may add some lead tape to bring it up a little.

[RogerinNewZealand]

I think its a great result on some old irons that get a Great New Life.

I just bought some MP37's and was wondering about the next step !!

I'm guessing the Labour Cost was like half an hours work??

Cheers, Roger

[williamsnrb]

I think its a great result on some old irons that get a Great New Life.

I just bought some MP37's and was wondering about the next step !!

I'm guessing the Labour Cost was like half an hours work??

Cheers, Roger

 

Yea, the cost of having the chrome stripped and blasted was negligible. And I'm really happy with the result! I'm glad they didn't sell on the BST so I could try this. Haha

[williamsnrb]

Here they are in the bag:

[Philipp]

Sure he used glass? Maybe super coarse grit.

Fine glass beads would have left an almost glossy satin finish.

 

Hmmm... he said he used glass, but maybe I'll call him and see if it was coarse or fine. This is the first time I've done something like this, so I'm not familiar with the difference in looks. It would appear from the comments that this finish is not as fine as it would have been with fine glass. Is there a long term difference between the two approaches?

No, there should be no difference. Especially since you will leave them rusty.

[ChristopherMcDonald]

Can you explain how you turned your ferrules? The method in particular would be awesome because they looked pretty bad before and looked perfect after turning

[williamsnrb]

Can you explain how you turned your ferrules? The method in particular would be awesome because they looked pretty bad before and looked perfect after turning

Sure thing. I reused the original ferrules because the only ones I had on hand have a silver ring on them (the ones I used when I reshafted my 33's) and I like the look of all ferrules matching the wedges. If you want to reuse ferrules, then when removing the heads, use low heat (I use a heat gun) and keep it away from the ferrules. It can cause the tips to expand a bit (as you can see in the pictures just after the heads were reinstalled), but it keeps the ferrules intact. Then after the heads dry, put a wrap of masking tape on the end of the hosel and use a very fine sandpaper to go around the flared ferrule. Once it's pretty uniform, switch to acetone on a paper towel to melt the ferrule into the shape you want it. After it's finished, use some more acetone to wipe the plastic ferrule in a quick rotary motion to get the ferrule even and shiny. I hold the paper towel in one hand and spin the shaft with the other. A fabric belt sander is easier, but not necessary if you only want to turn down a few ferrules. With a little practice and patience, you can have them looking perfect without too much trouble.

[Hack Daddy]

I had my wedges stripped as well. What I've found - use salt water mix spray to get a good base coat going. Then use sand paper to knock it down after a few days and they will mellow out.

[williamsnrb]

I had my wedges stripped as well. What I've found - use salt water mix spray to get a good base coat going. Then use sand paper to knock it down after a few days and they will mellow out.

 

Those trusty rusty's are beautiful. Copper/brass ferrules? Great look!

[MackDaddy480]

Do you have any recent pictures of the iron faces close up?

[ChristopherMcDonald]

Can you explain how you turned your ferrules? The method in particular would be awesome because they looked pretty bad before and looked perfect after turning

Sure thing. I reused the original ferrules because the only ones I had on hand have a silver ring on them (the ones I used when I reshafted my 33's) and I like the look of all ferrules matching the wedges. If you want to reuse ferrules, then when removing the heads, use low heat (I use a heat gun) and keep it away from the ferrules. It can cause the tips to expand a bit (as you can see in the pictures just after the heads were reinstalled), but it keeps the ferrules intact. Then after the heads dry, put a wrap of masking tape on the end of the hosel and use a very fine sandpaper to go around the flared ferrule. Once it's pretty uniform, switch to acetone on a paper towel to melt the ferrule into the shape you want it. After it's finished, use some more acetone to wipe the plastic ferrule in a quick rotary motion to get the ferrule even and shiny. I hold the paper towel in one hand and spin the shaft with the other. A fabric belt sander is easier, but not necessary if you only want to turn down a few ferrules. With a little practice and patience, you can have them looking perfect without too much trouble.

 

Good info here sir appreciate the explanation, will give the sandpaper trick a shot!

[FlyingLaw1]

I had my wedges stripped as well. What I've found - use salt water mix spray to get a good base coat going. Then use sand paper to knock it down after a few days and they will mellow out.

 

SICK!! The brass ferrels and paint set it off. Nice work!

[1b!ggolfnut]

Any face updates? They look like they rusted up very quickly!

[williamsnrb]

Do you have any recent pictures of the iron faces close up?

 

I'll upload some now.

[williamsnrb]

Any face updates? They look like they rusted up very quickly!

 

They did rust quickly!

[BIG STU]

Yep like them look like some of my scrap pile finds---- And if it has been as humid in your neck of the woods as it has been here lately I can absolutely see how they rusted up so fast. Love rusty irons and putters-- Makes the OCD prim and proper guys wondering what junkpile you dragged those from which 99% of the time for me is true they literally came off the scrap pile. I drive a truck for a metal recycling company and find lots of clubs especially classic ones in the bins