Graphite shaft tip deformation

[Elapsoe]

Has anyone had an issue with graphite shaft tip deformation? My local shop accidentally put a 0.335 adapter into a 0.37 hybrid shaft when swapping an adapter from Titleist to Callaway, and the tip is deformed to taper and coned at the end because the tech melted the shaft to fit into the 0.335 adapter. The tech says it is not a big deal, but the shaft is a $200 Ventus hybrid shaft, and I am not sure how much damage will affect the shaft's performance.

 

Photos shown here : https://imgur.com/a/R1YBtf3

[Ger21]

They owe you a new shaft. This is unacceptable.

I'm assuming he tipped it quite a bit as well, to remove the step it must have had.

[jacob7071]

Melted the shaft?  How the hell would that help a .370 shaft fit into a .335 adapter?  If he literally melted the shaft, he ruined it.  Too much heat will break down the resin holding the graphite layers together.  

 

Why wouldn't he just sand down the tip to get it to fit?  Even then, I'd make them replace the shaft.  If it now won't seat properly in the adapter it was designed for, they need to replace the shaft.  

 

If they do offer to replace the shaft, make sure they don't just tip trim the bad one and put an adapter on it.

Edited May 21 by jacob7071

[Elapsoe]

56 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

They owe you a new shaft. This is unacceptable.

I'm assuming he tipped it quite a bit as well, to remove the step it must have had.

Absolutely, he must ground at least 1/2” down to removed the coned section. The shaft was 9TX and that would add another flex on top.

[Elapsoe]

36 minutes ago, jacob7071 said:

Melted the shaft?  How the hell would that help a .370 shaft fit into a .335 adapter?  If he literally melted the shaft, he ruined it.  Too much heat will break down the resin holding the graphite layers together.  

 

Why wouldn't he just sand down the tip to get it to fit?  Even then, I'd make them replace the shaft.  If it now won't seat properly in the adapter it was designed for, they need to replace the shaft.  

 

If they do offer to replace the shaft, make sure they don't just tip trim the bad one and put an adapter on it.

He is still thinking of putting 0.37 adapter and fill the void with epoxy. I guess I will try, and go back to him, asking about the replacement. I wouldn’t want to have a doubt every time I hit with a good shaft.

[Nessism]

Epic fail!  Hope they own up to it.

 

Yet another example of why I do all my own work, and hate people!  

[jacob7071]

3 minutes ago, Elapsoe said:

He is still thinking of putting 0.37 adapter and fill the void with epoxy. I guess I will try, and go back to him, asking about the replacement. I wouldn’t want to have a doubt every time I hit with a good shaft.

I definitely would go back and (politely at first, but don't budge) tell them you need a new shaft.  You can put a smaller shaft into a larger hosel using a shim, but if he's suggesting filling the void with epoxy instead, I don't think he knows what he's doing.  Shave a .370 shaft to fit a .335 adapter?  No one who has ANY type of club building training would do that.  If he thinks it's no big deal, tell him he's welcome to keep the shaft after he gives you a replacement.  

 

And what did you mean by "melted?"  Did he literally heat the shaft?  If so, I would not accept anything that uses the original shaft.  It's new shaft or I raise a biiiiig stink.  

 

 

[mogc60]

All of the structural integrity of the shaft at the very tip is gone. It’s paper thin walls now. And probably not much better an inch up the tip. That’s way too much to shave off a graphite shaft. .370 taken to .355 is very minimal but going to .335 leaves very little strength left. I would demand a new shaft. How does one accidentally put a .335 adapter on a .370 shaft anyway?  If this shop doesn’t know what the right adapter is they probably shouldn’t even be putting on grips. Truth is they figured you would never know…well now you know. Make the fools get you a new shaft and do the work yourself. It’s simple stuff 

[Elapsoe]

5 hours ago, Nessism said:

Epic fail!  Hope they own up to it.

 

Yet another example of why I do all my own work, and hate people!  

I do all the other work except the adapter installation. Maybe I should look into this as well 😞

[Elapsoe]

4 hours ago, jacob7071 said:

I definitely would go back and (politely at first, but don't budge) tell them you need a new shaft.  You can put a smaller shaft into a larger hosel using a shim, but if he's suggesting filling the void with epoxy instead, I don't think he knows what he's doing.  Shave a .370 shaft to fit a .335 adapter?  No one who has ANY type of club building training would do that.  If he thinks it's no big deal, tell him he's welcome to keep the shaft after he gives you a replacement.  

 

And what did you mean by "melted?"  Did he literally heat the shaft?  If so, I would not accept anything that uses the original shaft.  It's new shaft or I raise a biiiiig stink.  

 

 

Yes, he melted the shaft with heat to put into a 0.335 adapter. He says I won’t notice any differences, but we shall seeeee

[Stuart_G]

8 hours ago, Elapsoe said:

Yes, he melted the shaft with heat to put into a 0.335 adapter. He says I won’t notice any differences, but we shall seeeee

 

There is nothing more to see.  He doesn't know what he's doing.  There is ZERO chance that he hasn't ruined the shaft.  That's just not how epoxy or composite materials work.  The only way to deform the shaft tip like that is to break down the epoxy that holds the graphite layers together.  And once that bond is broken it will never be the same.  It can't be reshaped once it's cured.  

 

 

I wouldn't risk taking a single swing with that shaft at a ball.    Don't waste any more of your time with the tech - go right  to the owner or manager.  They need to be aware of the situation.

 

 

8 hours ago, Elapsoe said:

I do all the other work except the adapter installation. Maybe I should look into this as well 😞

 

Installing an adapter is easy.   The only new skill you might have to take on is pulling graphite to remove the old adapter if you want to be able to switch them out.    It's not that difficult to learn but you do need to invest in a good puller and torch.

Edited May 22 by Stuart_G

[bvanlieu]

Could you save it if only the tip resin is melted and you tip the shaft 1"? Perhaps.

 

Should you even consider this? Absolutely not.

 

That is profound incompetence, I would talk to the boss people as suggested and let the shaft do all the talking.

 

 

 

 

[azone]

New shaft for you.  Do the work yourself or use a competent craftsman.  The people who did your work are monkeys. 

[Pepperturbo]

On 5/21/2025 at 6:51 AM, Elapsoe said:

Has anyone had an issue with graphite shaft tip deformation? My local shop accidentally put a 0.335 adapter into a 0.37 hybrid shaft when swapping an adapter from Titleist to Callaway, and the tip is deformed to taper and coned at the end because the tech melted the shaft to fit into the 0.335 adapter. The tech says it is not a big deal, but the shaft is a $200 Ventus hybrid shaft, and I am not sure how much damage will affect the shaft's performance.

 

Photos shown here : https://imgur.com/a/R1YBtf3

Have them redo the installation...  They don't get to tell you something is no big deal.

[Lefty Mondegreen]

22 hours ago, Elapsoe said:

I do all the other work except the adapter installation

Is the link to the hardware store, spring loaded diy adapter puller still available?

 

Yes, yes it is ...

[iRod]

4 hours ago, Lefty Mondegreen said:

Is the link to the hardware store, spring loaded diy adapter puller still available?

 

Yes, yes it is ...

This is so simple and awesome. Great for anyone trying to start without breaking the bank.

[Ger21]

10 hours ago, Lefty Mondegreen said:

Is the link to the hardware store, spring loaded diy adapter puller still available?

 

Yes, yes it is ...

I'm stopping by HD on the way home, and grabbing a spring and some washers. 😃

[IC3BURGH]

Straight to jail stuff.

[Ri_Redneck]

On 5/21/2025 at 10:29 PM, Elapsoe said:

Yes, he melted the shaft with heat to put into a 0.335 adapter. He says I won’t notice any differences, but we shall seeeee

The dude's an idiot. Show him this post.

 

BT

[CircleC29]

On 5/21/2025 at 9:29 PM, Elapsoe said:

Yes, he melted the shaft with heat to put into a 0.335 adapter. He says I won’t notice any differences, but we shall seeeee

Make sure that the replacement shaft is new and uncut. Do Not let this place do any work to it. They know not what they do.

 

Learning to install your own adapters is not as hard as it sounds, as long as you get the proper advice. Plenty of discussion on the subject here.

[Elapsoe]

Updates:

 

They put the correct adapter this time but it was installed crooked. I talked to the guy at the shop and they agreed to reimburse me for a new one. Thanks for all your comments guys!