Loft/Lie machine shootout.

[Grum]

True Blue or Mitchell?

Been given the go ahead to replace my toy-town loft/life machine, with a top end machine.

I've scouted a few, the main contenders are an MR3 True Blue, the one that'll do woods and all the rest, and Mitchells top end machine.

There is a MASSIVE price difference, the Mitchell is near twice the price. I know the True Blue has a very good rep, is the extra 700-800 dollars worth it for the Micthell? Is it that much(or any?) better?

I'm edging towards the True Blue.

Any opinions and experiences would be appreciated, thanks.

[d0n]

Grum, sometimes the Mitchell Preowned Equipment Area has some good deals. If you want Mitchell maybe you can find something there that will help make the cost a little closer?

[Grum]

d0n, I've had a look around the micthell site, and spotted that and taken note, but thanks for the reply.

 

Its not an issue of wanting a micthell over a true blue because of the name or the price, its an issue of I want the best machine for the money, the easiest to use, with the best results.

 

If the mitchell is the better machine, that's what I'll be getting, if the true blue is the better machine, the same applies.

[kappasigmagolfer7]

MR3 TRUE BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The true blue gives you more bang for your buck. Ive used both machines. But the true blue is just as good if not better than the mitchell at have the price!!!!

[jaskanski]

The old adage "you get what you pay for" is true in many cases. The Mitchell is no exception. It is simply more accurate and easier to use than anything else available. I'd like to bet that there aren't many True Blue machines on tour vans around the world, but most if not all, have Mitchells.

If you have to use the equipment on a daily basis, for bending and as a specification gauge, for all types of club, the Mitchell is the way to go. Nuff said.

[Grum]

Thanks for the reply jaskanski. I can see where you are coming from, but as with alot of things, I suspect some of mitchell's price is the brand name. I'm not convinced its twice as good as the true blue to justify twice the price.

[jaskanski]

Yeah, the price is prohibitive on the Mitchell machines. I still think it's the best all-in-one machine, I wouldn't feel certain that the True Blue could accommodate some of the more varying headshapes on woods and hybrids. I think that maybe the True Blue is more for the hobbyist than the Mitchell. Both are quality pices of kit, but the Mitchell edges it because of it's accuracy not only for bending, but for simply measuring clubs.

As mentioned earlier, you may find you can get a used Steelclub machine, if someone's willing to part with it.

[Grum]

I was going to hang on and wait for MikeBabjak to post, but it'd seem hes either very passionate about the subject, or has died at his keyboard.

 

Second hand is an option, but doesn't make that much sense to me. I could buy a second hand mitchell, and STILL pay more for it than a brand new true blue? That doesn't make sense to me!

 

Realistically, being able to bend woods and hybrids is a handy feature, but it isn't something that comes up every day.

 

I notice that the Mitchell doesn't do putters, where the true blue does, +1 to the MR3 at the moment.

[jaskanski]

Didn't think of that. The Mitchell does a convertor kit for putters, or a completely different rig. But even more £££££££'s.

Hats off to MR3 for that. :hi:

[High Plains Driver]

On my dime, and not bending hundreds of clubs a month, the True Blue.

If price is no object, the Mitchell hands down.

 

I had a Steelclub+ and it was by far the best L&L machine that I have ever used.

[LowPost42]

Being fortunate to be able to choose my own gear without necessarily worrying about price (Trackman is an exception), I chose an MR3 True Blue for it's versatility, accuracy (1/4°, the mitchell at the same price point at the time offered 1/2° and only bent irons), and the lack of indication of any 'recalibration' requirement (unlike mitchells). Mitchell makes mighty fine bending bars, though. :)

[Grum]

Edging towards the TB.....and an adjustable mitchell bending bar ;)

[g-money]

Grum...I was in the same boat last year at this time...I used a Mitchell all my life (32 years worth) but someone else was paying the bills on equipment.

 

I opted to take a chance on the MR3 True Blue and price and performance was a consideration.

 

After a year on this machine...I don't miss Mitchell"s at all. The MR3 machines give you everything you could ask for in a great package. Very very versitile and it does every club without any costly add ons and conversions. I used my machine extensivly this year and it is still in spec and hasn't given me one problem.

 

The owner of the company (can't remeber his name off hand) is great to deal with. You have a problem, you call, he takes care of it. No questions asked and usually at no cost to you. Talked to a few others that totally messed up their machines, he sent replacement parts and talked them through the repairs. It's actually super easy to work on without his help.

 

Once you get used to it...you'll be on your way. And a half the price...well!

 

Hope this helps you out. Happy Bending!!!!

 

MONEY

[Grum]

Excellent post g-money, just the sort of post I wanted to see about either machine. Really swaying towards the TB at the moment. My only concern is shipping to the UK.

[Jetlv25]

I've had my MR3 for 3 years and no complaints. I have used Mitchells in the past and they are no better and in fact tend to be not as accurate after some usage. If you actually talk to guys that are in the business and used both you will probably find what i did....they actually prefered the True Blue. At least that's what I found when I was doing research on what to buy. I always get a kick out of guys that use Mitchells and say they are the absolute best but have never tried anything else, lol. In all honesty you will be fine with either unit if you buy it new. They will both perform fine for what you need. BTW, there are more than a few true blue's that have found their ways into tour vans.

[BParis]

Owner of MR3 Golf Designs, the manufacturer of the True Blue, is Roy Laing. Here is his website: http://www.mr3golfdesigns.com/index.htm

[lbhitter]

I would spend less money on your bending machine, and take the savings and invest in a quality golf club gauge.

Here is the one I recommend:

Golfworks Golf Club Gauge

 

Neither machine in my opinion soles the club with enough accuracy to give you the kind of accuracy you are looking for. Most professional clubmakers own a quality bending machine, and then check all their measurements on a quality guage.

 

I personally own a Mitchell Steelclub Angle Machine and also have the putter attachment.

Excellent machine and the reps at Mitchell provide first class service. Mitchell golf is a family run business. I still have a GW Gauge to check and verify all measurements. Great for measuring face progression, bounce angles, etc....

 

LB

[Big A HG]

Our store just got a new Mitchell last summer with the capability of doing woods/hybrids. The adjustable bending bar is awesome also. There's a reason the Mitchell is more....it's time tested and true. I've never used a True Blue, and I'm sure it's fine, but a Mitchell has no equal.

[LowPost42]

I would spend less money on your bending machine, and take the savings and invest in a quality golf club gauge.

Here is the one I recommend:

Golfworks Golf Club Gauge

 

Neither machine in my opinion soles the club with enough accuracy to give you the kind of accuracy you are looking for. Most professional clubmakers own a quality bending machine, and then check all their measurements on a quality guage.

 

I personally own a Mitchell Steelclub Angle Machine and also have the putter attachment.

Excellent machine and the reps at Mitchell provide first class service. Mitchell golf is a family run business. I still have a GW Gauge to check and verify all measurements. Great for measuring face progression, bounce angles, etc....

 

LB

 

FWIW, I haven't found any discrepancy between my MR3 TB and my gauge (http://www.golfmechanix.com/default.asp?Pdts=01&CatDescription=Golf%20club%20head%20surveying%20gauges model 010331 ), and if it matters MR3 is family run as well, provide an excellent machine and first class service.

 

I'll admit that the True Blue doesn't measure face or bounce, but so far, iron measurements between the two units (True Blue and gauge) are the same.

[supercharger]

I bought a true blue mr3 late last summer. If you do buy one ask to have it packaged in soft foam, mine came in styrofoam and it moved around and could not have been good on the machined parts and as much as they charge for shipping it should have been hand delivered. I was not pleased when I openend the box. It also had some marks where a piece had been dropped and there were grind marks instead of anodized blue. I would not recommend bending woods at all it just will not hold and the head will move. Now for the positives, it feels like quality machine work and holds irons great. I bent a couple hybrids but very iffy on the holding clamps. The accuracy itself read about .75 deg. different from the ultimate golfsmith I had. The measuring system is very smooth and light years ahead of the golfsmith. They need to redesign a few small things and it would be an excellent machine for the money. I would go with the mitchell even though I have never used one.

[mat562]

I'm using a Mitchell myself - mainly because I got hold of it at a rather cheap price, comparatively speaking, a few years back. But you probably suspected that already mate. ;) It's a cracking bit of kit, but they certainly are a bit on the pricey side if you're buying new; or even used. Mine's an older model but it's **** hot in every regard and I get excellent results with it without any dramas thus far.

 

I know one pro who uses a new True Blue machine and, honestly, it's every bit as good as the top-notch Mitchells and appreciably cheaper to boot. I've had a play on it and, for the money, I'd probably be going there if I didn't already have a machine. As alluded to above though, I wouldn't bank on being able to use it to adjust typical wood heads on a no-questions-asked basis. It's not quite as adaptable as the blurb makes it out to be. It will do putters though. A Mitchell won't - unless you stump up some more coin. If I were buying one today (particularly a brand new one) I'd fork out for a True Blue. The Mitchells have a reputation as the best, but it's a bit of a Rolls Royce-type thing. They are fantastic, and you know full well you've got quality when you work with one; but there are alternatives that are just as good and cheaper - even if they don't have the iconic name on them.

 

In terms of bending bars; Mitchell, Mitchell and Mitchell. In that order. Fantastic things and I've always had great results with the adjustable one I've got. Without a doubt the best there is, bar none. No pun intended.

 

As you already know, the shipping costs for a new 'un are going to be the stuff of a nervous breakdown though...

[imaplus3wannaplay]

The MR3 machines are not accurate for loft measurement. They are fine for lie angle. Measure the loft on a Mitchell or a good gauge. I have a Mitchell and an MR3 True Blue. I bought the MR3 with plans to replace my Mitchell, but the MR3 is as much as 3.5 degrees off on loft for some irons. This is the same for any of the machines that require you to move the clamping mechanism into a different slot for each iron. They simply cannot be accurate.

[golfbum9]

Never used one. But if I were in the market to buy ($$$ certainly a factor), then the True Blue would be it based on so many positive reviews.

With that said Mitchell is tops. I agree with Mat re the Mitchell bending bars fwiw

[chickenpotpie]

[quote name='imaplus3wannaplay' date='21 February 2010 - 04:22 PM' timestamp='1266787321' post='2267434']
The MR3 machines are not accurate for loft measurement. They are fine for lie angle. Measure the loft on a Mitchell or a good gauge. I have a Mitchell and an MR3 True Blue. I bought the MR3 with plans to replace my Mitchell, but the MR3 is as much as 3.5 degrees off on loft for some irons. This is the same for any of the machines that require you to move the clamping mechanism into a different slot for each iron. They simply cannot be accurate.
[/quote]

Dude, do you need to post this in every single thread about loft/lie machines? You make an interesting point, but it doesn't need to be cut and pasted into a bunch of threads....

I won't bother to give you the same response 3 more times.

EDIT: 5 more times

[Awalkspoiled]

[quote name='Grum' date='11 January 2009 - 03:23 PM' timestamp='1231705420' post='1418369']
Edging towards the TB.....and an adjustable mitchell bending bar
[/quote]


If you're comfortable on the TB then I think that would be a great call. I want to love the TB but just find myself more comfortable on a Mitchell, especially since I never bend woods.