GolfWorks Economy Loft/Lie Bending Machine Feedback/Reviews??

Hey guys,

I’m in the market for a loft/Lie bending machine and came across the golfworks economy version https://www.golfworks.com/economy-iron-bending-machine/p/gw0053/

Has anybody bought/used these? Are they accurate enough for an avid amateur club builder? Will mainly be for personal use, but if it is inaccurate or will not hold up I’d rather just keep saving.

Any feedback greatly appreciated, as well as other options! Thanks guys!

also interested, especially since its on sale right now...?

I have had one for many years and find it very effective and accurate.

A simple unit like that will work fine for forged and soft cast irons. If bending a 17-4 stainless head though be prepared for the head to move around a good deal in the cradle while bending. You need to reset the head in the unit each time after bending and before reading your adjusted angle.

The clamping unit on that machine is as good or better than a Mitchell. As far as the gauge I can’t tell you as I use a dedicated loft lie gauge. The only downfall of those units as opposed to the ultimate loft lie is that they are not adjustable for loft so you are left bending in some funny positions the higher the loft goes instead of just working with one plane.

> @Awainer1 said:

> The clamping unit on that machine is as good or better than a Mitchell. As far as the gauge I can’t tell you as I use a dedicated loft lie gauge. The only downfall of those units as opposed to the ultimate loft lie is that they are not adjustable for loft so you are left bending in some funny positions the higher the loft goes instead of just working with one plane.

Very helpful, thank you!

Very nice machine for people who like to tinker with their clubs. I've had that machine for 3 years now. It works very well and has held up well, too.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It’s great to have a community of golfers so willing to help one another!

That looks like nearly the same design as the old Golfsmith Professional, which makes sense, because a lot of their machines are and were made by Golf-Mechanix. A very nice piece at that price. Just make sure it's mounted very secure. Spend the extra money for their most expensive bending bar and you'll be able to move just about anything. Here's the best bar for max leverage, which equals more precise bends. I know it will seem strange to spend this much on the bar in relation to the unit itself, but if you do, you'll be set....https://www.golfworks.com/ultimate-non-marring-bending-bar/p/gw0119/

> @Cwebb said:

> That looks like nearly the same design as the old Golfsmith Professional, which makes sense, because a lot of their machines are and were made by Golf-Mechanix. A very nice piece at that price. Just make sure it's mounted very secure. Spend the extra money for their most expensive bending bar and you'll be able to move just about anything. Here's the best bar for max leverage, which equals more precise bends. I know it will seem strange to spend this much on the bar in relation to the unit itself, but if you do, you'll be set....https://www.golfworks.com/ultimate-non-marring-bending-bar/p/gw0119/

Understood, thank you!

Double check with them to make sure it will fit, but these "nylon" clamp parts would also be worth adding, to further minimize the chance of marking a top-line or sole....https://www.golfworks.com/clamping-kit-for-forged-iron-heads/p/gw0122/

The main concern I would have with that model is the top clamp interface isn't brass, so it has the potential to mar the top edge of your irons/wedges. If it is replaceable with the non-marring kit or the brass component then it's probably fine for bending irons. Remember that you need accuracy from your measurement gauge, not your bending machine. Never trust a bending machine to provide loft/lie measurements; use a separate gauge for that.

What I always do is measure the club in my gauge first and then when I'm seating the club in the bending machine (technically called "registering" the club) I make sure that the bending machine is showing the same measurements as the gauge showed. If you can't get your bending machine to read the same specs, then you just have to use its measurement gauges in a "relative" manner rather than "absolute". For example, let's say you need 1* flatter on an iron. If you measure the club on your gauge and it shows 62* for the lie angle, but your bending machine reads 63*, then just bend it until the machine reads 62*'; knowing that the gauge will probably read 61* when you're done.

The most important thing for the bending machine is that it can hold the clubs firmly (no slipping) without marring them. The brass soling discs require some maintenance over time to make sure they remain smooth and won't dent your softer forged heads.

I have a Golfworks iron bending machine that I no longer use. I have it mounted on a very heavy Steel stand. Anyone interested. I am located near New York City. $40.00 takes all.

Good day. @rdickers23 do you still have the bending machine in NYC?