TP Super Eye O Matic Insert repair question

I found this group while looking for information on my new-in-box 80’s Dynapowered iron re-issues. Considering how obsessed with Macgregors I became back in misspent youth, I’m sure coming here is a bad idea, but I’m plunging in anyway. Let’s hope I have a little more self-discipline now, but I doubt it.

When I worked in a shop back in the 80’s, I was buying-trading-selling clubs as a side business. Not the kind where you try to make money, but more like the kind where you only make enough money to buy more clubs and hope you come close to breaking even. Back then, I’d send all my clubs I wanted to play to get refinished and re-shafted. Now, after some reading and youtubing, I think I’m going to give re-finishing clubs a try and play with clubs I did myself. Which brings me to these Super Eye-O-Matics.

During college, I sold off everything I had that wasn’t in my bag or a back-up…with one exception. I held on to my Toney Penna Super Eye-O-Matic 2&3 woods because I loved the way they looked. I found them in this condition, refinished with original shafts (with the copper exposed around the band). The 2 wood looks good, but the 3 wood had damage to the white part of the insert. I put them in the corner with the intention of getting that fixed and never got around to it.

My goal is to get them into playing shape with the least amount of work possible, work that I can do myself, keeping the color and shaft as is. To do that, I need to figure out if I can fix the insert in a cost-effective way.

Any suggestions on what to do next? Donor club? Find some white fiber? If I found some fiber, how hard is it to replace just one stripe on a Super Eye-O-Matic? I’d love to hear from someone who has done it before. Any options or advice would be appreciated.

For a player, I'd tape off everything but the face and layer on some 2 part epoxy until all level, sand, and play

Unfortunately this is a good example of not including resetting of the insert and soleplate during the refinishing process. These are the results when a club is put into play. Cracked finish around the insert, moisture damage, delaminated fiber. All could have been avoided.

Ideally the entire insert and sole plate should be reset with epoxy. But first I would say it depends on how involved you want to become and your individual skill level to tackle the job properly. A person could certainly layer some epoxy over the damaged white area, shave it down and apply a coat or two of clear. If you feel comfortable going this route and not delving into more involved work detail then I would say leave it at that. I however wouldn't trust this repair for the long term if you plan on using the club much.

To take it beyond that would indeed require some patience and skill. At this point I won't go into the details. Feel free to PM me for further procedure explanation.

raggal62 has it right. This is a perfect example of why inserts and soleplates should be reset when refinishing.

This club is a candidate for a complete refinish.

Thanks for the comments. I don't know who did the original refinishing, they were in this condition when I picked them up in the 80's. If I remember correctly, they were thrown in as a sweetner in a trade I made for some other clubs.

I'm not crazy about the idea of filling the insert holes with epoxy, but short of finding a donor club with a clean insert, I was afraid that was the option I had left. If there were someone who could just do the insert, I'd look into getting that fixed by a more talented restorer.

As for Raggal's comment, "it depends on how involved you want to become and your individual skill level to tackle the job properly" that is the question. I'm really curious to see what my individual skill level is and look forward to finding out; I'm excited to see what I can learn. I going to pick up what I can from the thrift shops over the winter and see if through youtube, the Maltby book, and practice I can work my way to a decent skill level. If I can get good enough, I'll tackle these for a full restoration.

Stephen8802 - this might do the trick? Not too expensive either.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-MacGregor-3-Wood-Super-Eye-O-Matic-Golf-Club-Tourney/182598861473?hash=item2a83bd82a1:g:x40AAOSwlglcXP38

Others will know better than me but I'd assume the SEOM insert in a Tourney 3 wood is the same size as in a Penna?

Or alternatively you can go to Dave Wood's website where he shows how to replace an insert with a new piece.

http://www.davewoodarts.com/InsertReplacement.html

I was looking at those 653's as a refurb project........

use clear epoxy on the insert repair area, and build a putty dam. to avoid spill over into the wood area not in need of repair. That's the easiest way IMHO. I'd remove screws first.

SteveNZ the insert on the club you are showing is a different type. The Toney Penna insert has a V shape on the back.

mocked. Good advice using clear epoxy with a putty dam and removing the screws.

> @"robert horneman" said:

> SteveNZ the insert on the club you are showing is a different type. The Toney Penna insert has a V shape on the back.

>

> mocked. Good advice using clear epoxy with a putty dam and removing the screws.

Oops. Quite right. :|

The wood and the insert appear to have shrunk apart. You need a new insert, but if that "V" at the top goes all the way to the soleplate, it may not be possible. Sand it down and go with the epoxy, if it will withstand impact. Back in my day, you could buy mixable cycolac to build inserts, but I don't know if it's even made anymore.

Of course you can remove and replace the insert completely. My suggestion is a quicker fix.

Obviously the club has been worked on before. Looks like the insert is loose all the way around.I would attempt to remove it. I have some white insert material that I would be glad to send to you. I also have some Reed and Prince screws that I can send. Send a PM and let me know. If you can't remove the insert ,you can try to pry up the white piece. or do as mocokid suggests.