Shaft Extractor...looking for one, what do you have? What do you recommend?

I am looking for a shaft extractor. I have looked all over the web, read lots of reviews. Anyone have one they aren't using? Any advice on a good, cheap alternative for just very limited hobby use?

You can post in WTB section if you’re looking to buy one.

Did you come across the DIY extractor when you were researching? There’s a few different examples out there. Some examples can offer inspiration to create your own device with the tools you currently own.

Personally I had no problem shelling out $300 for my extractor. Why? That’s less than the cost of ONE high end shaft. So if you damage one high end shaft you have already lost more money than it would cost to buy an extractor. Most of the DIY ones use multiple devices. The designated extractors are just one machine and easy to store.

I bought one on the local classified for $80. Its a Maltby, small in size and pulls very well. I can understand why someone wouldnt want to buy a $300 extractor when most shops charge $10 to pull a shaft. Thats 30 pulls....not to mention for most steel shafted irons you dont need an extractor at all.

Keep your eyes peeled on the BST and craigslist. Something will pop up.

I have the Mitchell one. I’m not even a huge Mitchell fan I’m more of a golf mechanix guy but i use the shaft puller prob more than anything in my shop and it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. I haven’t tried the golf mechanix ones so I can’t comment on them but I have nothing but good things to say about the Mitchell. Get one and it will Last you a lifetime or 2.

I have this one from golfworks:

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

It used to be about $20 cheaper when they would put it on sale but maybe the new red paint caused the price to increase. No matter, I think it’s well worth the money. It’s heavy duty, especially for a hobbyist. And the spring load feature is nice to help make sure you don’t over heat and cook the shaft.

I have the same one Johnny T posted and it works great. Be warned however... if you buy a quality shaft extractor, that "very limited hobby use" will turn in to wanting to try every shaft known to man. You'll start looking for any excuse to build something new. Being able to pull and install adapters on your own really opens up Pandora's box. I finally got tired of guys doing horrible work on my clubs, bought everything I'd need to do my own work. I'm really glad I did, I really enjoy building clubs now. It's therapeutic. My advice would be to pony up and just buy a quality, easy to use extractor.

I have this one: https://www.golfworks.com/value-shaft-extractor/p/gw1112/

It's been fine for the very limited extracting I do. Pair it with a precision butane torch, and it works fine.

I did actually build one: https://www.tutelman.com/golf/measure/shaftPuller.php

That was a pain in the a** to make, but worked well enough for what I wanted. I don't have a drill press or access to much of a machine shop, so it took me forever with a drill, cutoff saw, and angle grinder. If you have access to the tools, it's a good little machine. Otherwise, buy one.

I also have the value model from Golfworks. Have had 0 issues with it, and I've pulled many, many shafts. Wouldn't work for a real shop, but fine for at home tinkering.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002QVYCRI/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

I have one of these, works a treat.

Man. This is why I love this site. Appreciate the feedback and info Gents.

I have the “enhanced” one also and appreciate the spring-loading feature. Shafts turn loose the instant the epoxy is hot enough.

One proponent of the spring loaded extractors here. Well worth the extra cost - particularly for those new to using a torch to pull graphite.

> @tareatingrat said:

> I did actually build one: https://www.tutelman.com/golf/measure/shaftPuller.php

>

> That was a pain in the **** to make, but worked well enough for what I wanted. I don't have a drill press or access to much of a machine shop, so it took me forever with a drill, cutoff saw, and angle grinder. If you have access to the tools, it's a good little machine. Otherwise, buy one.

If you are handy and only do a few shafts then try the Tutleman tool. I am a woodworker and have tools. And I love tinkering. I found it easy and fun. Very useful tool and does the job. Hardest part was finding the puller, they don’t sell them at Harbor freight any more , but ounce figure out what they are called there are tons on eBay. You can also get short pieces of aluminum angel on eBay as well or Home Depot/Lowe’s.

You can get a nice used one from $40 - $70 and it'll serve the purpose, but , if you're going to pull the shafts quite a few times a year or extracting a set of graphite shafts once in awhile, then look into the hydraulic extractor, they have new ones on the auction site for about $120. Look for one that with the hydraulic unit bolted onto the frame, not welded on, so toy could change the unit in the future instead of junk it.

Many of the hobbyist have both, the hydraulic one for ease of operation to save some elbow grease and the manual one for back up unit.

> @dbdors said:

> > @tareatingrat said:

> > I did actually build one: https://www.tutelman.com/golf/measure/shaftPuller.php

> >

> > That was a pain in the **** to make, but worked well enough for what I wanted. I don't have a drill press or access to much of a machine shop, so it took me forever with a drill, cutoff saw, and angle grinder. If you have access to the tools, it's a good little machine. Otherwise, buy one.

>

> If you are handy and only do a few shafts then try the Tutleman tool. I am a woodworker and have tools. And I love tinkering. I found it easy and fun. Very useful tool and does the job. Hardest part was finding the puller, they don’t sell them at Harbor freight any more , but ounce figure out what they are called there are tons on eBay. You can also get short pieces of aluminum angel on eBay as well or Home Depot/Lowe’s.

They still sell a drill press vice at Harbor Freight. I just bought one a couple weeks ago and built a shaft puller. It wasn't the best looking thing since it came from scraps sitting around. So I had our Fab shop cut me all new pieces and it looks better now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLF-CLUB-SHAFT-PULLER-EXTRACTOR-FOR-STEEL-GRAPHITE-SHAFTS/163617887463

I have this one and it works great. It doesn't even need to be bolted down or anything

> @"Johnny T" said:

> I have this one from golfworks:

>

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

>

> It used to be about $20 cheaper when they would put it on sale but maybe the new red paint caused the price to increase. No matter, I think it’s well worth the money. It’s heavy duty, especially for a hobbyist. And the spring load feature is nice to help make sure you don’t over heat and cook the shaft.

Wow. I bought this exact model yesterday from Golfworks because it was on sale for $183.99. Looks like the sale ended.

Was previously using a hydraulic bottle extractor one. I would not recommend. Less than 20 pulls and the seal is busted and leaking oil all over. Never again.

> @mikewohlwend said:

> > @dbdors said:

> > > @tareatingrat said:

> > > I did actually build one: https://www.tutelman.com/golf/measure/shaftPuller.php

> > >

> > > That was a pain in the **** to make, but worked well enough for what I wanted. I don't have a drill press or access to much of a machine shop, so it took me forever with a drill, cutoff saw, and angle grinder. If you have access to the tools, it's a good little machine. Otherwise, buy one.

> >

> > If you are handy and only do a few shafts then try the Tutleman tool. I am a woodworker and have tools. And I love tinkering. I found it easy and fun. Very useful tool and does the job. Hardest part was finding the puller, they don’t sell them at Harbor freight any more , but ounce figure out what they are called there are tons on eBay. You can also get short pieces of aluminum angel on eBay as well or Home Depot/Lowe’s.

>

> They still sell a drill press vice at Harbor Freight. I just bought one a couple weeks ago and built a shaft puller. It wasn't the best looking thing since it came from scraps sitting around. So I had our Fab shop cut me all new pieces and it looks better now.

I was not talking about the the vise, it's the "pulller" that you need for the screw thread/carriage system. If you click on the links that to the items you need in the Tutleman page, it mentions two items from Harbor Freight, the vise and the Puller. The link to the puller is broken, and last time I searched Harbor Freight I could not find the puller that he used. Its called a Pitman puller or Pitman Arm Puller, if you search eBay you will find them, there are less that $15 shipped.

> @PNB_Golf said:

> https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLF-CLUB-SHAFT-PULLER-EXTRACTOR-FOR-STEEL-GRAPHITE-SHAFTS/163617887463

>

> I have this one and it works great. It doesn't even need to be bolted down or anything

These were not available at that price when I was planning, but have seen them since. By my estimate, it could cost about $50-55 to build the Tutleman depending on what you have. $123 shipped is a great prices for one of these. If I had to do it today, I might consider ordering one.

> @dbdors said:

> > @mikewohlwend said:

> > > @dbdors said:

> > > > @tareatingrat said:

> > > > I did actually build one: https://www.tutelman.com/golf/measure/shaftPuller.php

> > > >

> > > > That was a pain in the **** to make, but worked well enough for what I wanted. I don't have a drill press or access to much of a machine shop, so it took me forever with a drill, cutoff saw, and angle grinder. If you have access to the tools, it's a good little machine. Otherwise, buy one.

> > >

> > > If you are handy and only do a few shafts then try the Tutleman tool. I am a woodworker and have tools. And I love tinkering. I found it easy and fun. Very useful tool and does the job. Hardest part was finding the puller, they don’t sell them at Harbor freight any more , but ounce figure out what they are called there are tons on eBay. You can also get short pieces of aluminum angel on eBay as well or Home Depot/Lowe’s.

> >

> > They still sell a drill press vice at Harbor Freight. I just bought one a couple weeks ago and built a shaft puller. It wasn't the best looking thing since it came from scraps sitting around. So I had our Fab shop cut me all new pieces and it looks better now.

>

> I was not talking about the the vise, it's the "pulller" that you need for the **** thread/carriage system. If you click on the links that to the items you need in the Tutleman page, it mentions two items from Harbor Freight, the vise and the Puller. The link to the puller is broken, and last time I searched Harbor Freight I could not find the puller that he used. Its called a Pitman puller or Pitman Arm Puller, if you search eBay you will find them, there are less that $15 shipped.

>

>

>

I didn't realize that design used the puller as well as a vise.

> @mikewohlwend said:

> > @dbdors said:

> > > @mikewohlwend said:

> > > > @dbdors said:

> > > > > @tareatingrat said:

> > > > > I did actually build one: https://www.tutelman.com/golf/measure/shaftPuller.php

> > > > >

> > > > > That was a pain in the **** to make, but worked well enough for what I wanted. I don't have a drill press or access to much of a machine shop, so it took me forever with a drill, cutoff saw, and angle grinder. If you have access to the tools, it's a good little machine. Otherwise, buy one.

> > > >

> > > > If you are handy and only do a few shafts then try the Tutleman tool. I am a woodworker and have tools. And I love tinkering. I found it easy and fun. Very useful tool and does the job. Hardest part was finding the puller, they don’t sell them at Harbor freight any more , but ounce figure out what they are called there are tons on eBay. You can also get short pieces of aluminum angel on eBay as well or Home Depot/Lowe’s.

> > >

> > > They still sell a drill press vice at Harbor Freight. I just bought one a couple weeks ago and built a shaft puller. It wasn't the best looking thing since it came from scraps sitting around. So I had our Fab shop cut me all new pieces and it looks better now.

> >

> > I was not talking about the the vise, it's the "pulller" that you need for the **** thread/carriage system. If you click on the links that to the items you need in the Tutleman page, it mentions two items from Harbor Freight, the vise and the Puller. The link to the puller is broken, and last time I searched Harbor Freight I could not find the puller that he used. Its called a Pitman puller or Pitman Arm Puller, if you search eBay you will find them, there are less that $15 shipped.

> >

> >

> >

>

> I didn't realize that design used the puller as well as a vise.

Yes, and there are actually two designs on that page. The Blanchard-Tutelman design uses the puller. The Flanagan design only uses a vise and some aluminum angle.

Here is my homemade hydraulic puller. Works great.

I got the old Golfsmith spring loaded “economy” model. Has holes to mount to a work bench but is heavy enough to just sit down. Totally agree with at least getting spring loaded feature, that helps not over heat. Make sure to grab the adaptor removal kit, as previous poster said... once you can take apart your own clubs it’s never ending. I have built my wedges with 4 shafts this year just for fun.

I have the Golfworks Value Shaft Extractor mounted in a vise and it works fine.

A fellow member on here just hooked me up with the GolfMechanix version and it works great. Received it yesterday and pulled an entire set already. Super smooth. Appreciate the feedback fellas!

I use my hands, never ruined a shaft once. If you have the time to be careful an extractor is unnecessary, though they are excellent to speed things along or do volume. If you’re doing 1 shaft every few months they’ll never be worth your money.

> @cmagnusson said:

> I use my hands, never ruined a shaft once. If you have the time to be careful an extractor is unnecessary, though they are excellent to speed things along or do volume. If you’re doing 1 shaft every few months they’ll never be worth your money.

I have to disagree - unless maybe one only needs to pull really cheap shafts. Sure, some people can manage it - but it's rare and not an easy skill to learn. A MUCH higher percentage of people will end up damaging the shaft than not when trying to pull graphite with out an extractor and at today's higher costs for many wood shafts, it's well worth the time and money for the lower end economy of DIY pullers.

You don’t need one for steel shafts but with graphite any twisting turns the tip into mush.

For graphite shafts a good puller/extractor lets you use much less heat and that is simply a great thing for the shaft tip integrity. My rig above cost about $75 to make. Makes for great fun experimenting and finding a shaft for the driver. And now my golfing buddies are enjoying that too and we can share shafts and easily and safely shafts and change tips if needed. This year it’s gotten even better since so many club are using real deal oem shafts that you can pick up great quality shafts with different profiles and properties for much less then even 5 years ago.

> @RobK said:

> A fellow member on here just hooked me up with the GolfMechanix version and it works great. Received it yesterday and pulled an entire set already. Super smooth. Appreciate the feedback fellas!

Curious what version