Help getting setup to swap out shafts

[clemsondds]

Looking to get some equipment to help swap out some shafts and adapters.  I am looking to replace all my woods, and my son is getting into golf more...which I'm sure will lead to future shaft issues.  So thought I would go ahead and get the tools I need to swap out the shafts and adapters myself.  Could you guys recommend some tools?  Right now I was planning to get the clubmakers universal vise and the universal graphite shaft extractor (the  value shaft extractor is out of stock).  I guess I also need a heat gun or torch as well.  Anything else? Obviously, I have some basic tools at my workbench.  Thank you all! 

[SnowbirdTom]

Spend once, cry once. Requires a bench vise. I use this regularly.

Shaft extractor link

 

Golf Gripping kit

 

Shaft and adapter epoxy

[clemsondds]

32 minutes ago, SnowbirdTom said:

Spend once, cry once. Requires a bench vise. I use this regularly.

Shaft extractor link

 

Golf Gripping kit

 

Shaft and adapter epoxy

Awesome! Thank you! Do you use a heat gun? 

[hwwong]

-If you're working with graphite, you 100% need an extractor. As mentioned above, they usually require a vise.   I've used this one with great success:https://www.golfmechanix.com/co/items.aspx?pdts=single&pdtno=210022

 

-I use a small kitchen butane torch - I find I can apply heat more precisely.  Would definitely recommend torch over heat gun.  

 

-Glass Shafting Beads are a nice to have, I try to use finer ones for graphite. 

 

-Use quality epoxy, notate working time and cure time.  I like to use DP810 - it's only got like 8-10 minutes working time but for 1 or 2 clubs, it's perfect.  But supposedly it's what they use on the tour truck.  

 

-Epoxy gun if you're getting the tube kind

 

-Hosel wire brush https://www.golfworks.com/wire-hosel-cleaning-bits/p/gw0160/?srsltid=AfmBOorKMdGDh2mLciXCWlpneUZc3WMutJ04CCapJAplP7m5l4FuWd73

 

-Acetone to clean stuff

 

Keys to success:

 

Prep everything before you glue, have patience, watch youtube.

[SnowbirdTom]

56 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Awesome! Thank you! Do you use a heat gun? 

 

I do, a 1500w version from Harbor Fright.

[gdb99]

Torch is better than a heat gun for graphite, or steel, shafts. You need less heat application to break the epoxy. I never use a heat gun anymore to remove a shaft. 
Heat gun is great to loosen up old grip tape.

[Stuart_G]

10 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Do you use a heat gun? 

 

I know it sounds counter-intuitive but using a torch (propane or larger butane) is much less likely to damage graphite shafts.   How hot the shaft tip gets is much more about how long it takes to break the epoxy bond than the temperature being applied to the hossel.  And the most of the energy generated in the heat gun gets wasted - so it takes a lot longer to get the epoxy to breaking temperature.

 

The spring loading shaft extractors are worth the extra money IMO to also help prevent using too much heat and damaging graphite shafts

https://www.golfworks.com/the-golfworks-enhanced-graphite-shaft-extractor/p/gw1009/

 

Lots of threads here in the forum on options for different epoxies - do a search and review some of them before making a decision.

 

For cutting shafts to length - you can always just start with a hack saw (for graphite) and pipe cutter for steel.

 

[ScottyGolf]

If you are changing any adapters - you will need one of these. It is what I use and have had great success with it. Simple and it works

 

https://www.golfworks.com/oem-adaptor-saver-kit/p/gw0130/?sku=GW0130&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17335749732&gbraid=0AAAAAD_wfsK0urExbsk3zj7DpO36sUJPG&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhp_s4rSPjgMV2jLUAR262S-yEAQYAiABEgLfl_D_BwE

[jacob7071]

1 hour ago, ScottyGolf said:

If you are changing any adapters - you will need one of these. It is what I use and have had great success with it. Simple and it works

 

https://www.golfworks.com/oem-adaptor-saver-kit/p/gw0130/?sku=GW0130&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17335749732&gbraid=0AAAAAD_wfsK0urExbsk3zj7DpO36sUJPG&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhp_s4rSPjgMV2jLUAR262S-yEAQYAiABEgLfl_D_BwE

FYI, the shaft extractor that @Stuart_G linked comes with this adapter saver kit.  And yes, it's far easier to remove adapters with this kit.  I would highly recommend this one over the vice mounted extractor.  The spring loading feature helps keep you from using too much heat.  I rarely feel any heat on the shaft after the adapter breaks loose.  And it bolts to the table, so you wouldn't also need the vice.  Pro tip, the pads aren't great at holding the shaft, so I took an ~8" section of an old grip and sliced it open.  I wrap that around the shaft to help hold it in the extractor.  

[Nessism]

Use a torch, NEVER a heat gun, for pulling shafts.  Inexperienced builders think that a heat gun reduces heat added to the components, but the opposite is true.

 

NEVER use Golfworks Tour Set epoxy.  NEVER.  There are more failures of Tour Set epoxy than all other brands of epoxy combined.

 

Sorry, but this info is well documented in older posts here.  

[clemsondds]

9 minutes ago, Nessism said:

Use a torch, NEVER a heat gun, for pulling shafts.  Inexperienced builders think that a heat gun reduces heat added to the components, but the opposite is true.

 

NEVER use Golfworks Tour Set epoxy.  NEVER.  There are more failures of Tour Set epoxy than all other brands of epoxy combined.

 

Sorry, but this info is well documented in older posts here.  

Yes, I think everyone seems to agree that a torch is better. thanks

[clemsondds]

which epoxy do you guys recommend if gw tour set epoxy is not good? thanks

[Primo1868]

Everyone has already shared what I use. 

I would also add that patience and confidence are needed. 🙂 Its not rocket science!

[Nessism]

Just now, clemsondds said:

which epoxy do you guys recommend if gw tour set epoxy is not good? thanks

 

I use 3M or Loctite/Hysol.  If you want to use Golfworks, use the old standard 24 hour shafting epoxy, or their VB1001 High Impact Epoxy.

[Howard_Jones]

Obligatoric
Get a good ruler (i suggest Mitchell)
Get a digital caliper
a good digital gram scale who measure down to 0.1 gram as resolution


Optional
A grip tape scraper is very handy.

link to Michell club length ruler
https://www.mitchellgolf.com/shop/repair-tools/clublength-measuring-tools/clublength-ruler-measuring-tool-kit/



 

[clemsondds]

20 hours ago, Nessism said:

 

I use 3M or Loctite/Hysol.  If you want to use Golfworks, use the old standard 24 hour shafting epoxy, or their VB1001 High Impact Epoxy.

I read somewhere that using non "golf" specific epoxy can be difficult to remove due to high heat requirements and possibly damaging the shaft.  Any thoughts about this?  I would like to know that that I can remove the adapter without damaging the shaft if I need to.  What's been everyone's experience.  Thanks!

[Nessism]

46 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

I read somewhere that using non "golf" specific epoxy can be difficult to remove due to high heat requirements and possibly damaging the shaft.  Any thoughts about this?  I would like to know that that I can remove the adapter without damaging the shaft if I need to.  What's been everyone's experience.  Thanks!

 

Most OEM's use industrial grade adhesives, such as 3M DP810, DP420, DP460, etc.  These adhesives are easily broken down with heat, while at the same time, they are not brittle and very strong.

 

Some people short-cut the build process, using poor prep and/or cheap adhesives, and they "never had a problem" (as we read here commonly).

 

One of the reasons for this is because some clubs have a nice snug shaft fit, a long insertion depth, etc, so they don't stress the bond joint like some others clubs.  PXG or Ping, for example, have a short insertion depth, and a lot of shaft to hosel wall clearance.  The worst possible fit.  

 

Also, some people don't prep the hosel and shaft, properly.  Same thing as above.  You may get lucky, or maybe not.  And then the question becomes: what happens when you sell the clubs, and the next guy stores them in the trunk of their car in Texas on a summer day?

 

To me: always use best practice when building.  Always use quality materials.  Don't take chances, someone could get hurt.