OEM wedge groove process

[James the Hogan Fan]

Does anyone know what tooling is used to cut grooves into clubfaces? Are they scored with some kind of scoring cutter or are they milled in with some specialized tooling. Im wondering with a stainless steel wedge, could you weld in the grooves and re-cut them somehow, and if so what kind of tooling it would require.

[Nessism]

Different manufacturers use different methods. Cast clubs typically use the grooves as cast, sometimes with face a milling process to flatten and add surface roughness. Forged club grooves are often pressed into the face, followed by grinding or milling to flatten. Other times the grooves are milled into the face using some sort of cutting tool, type varies. You might want to look at some youtube videos to learn more. Look for the Muira video (pressed grooves) and maybe some videos by Ping showing them cutting grooves on Glide wedges. As always, the devil's in the details.

 

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[wkuo3]

Most of them are milled into the face these days.

Yes, a CNC type of milling machine which is way too expensive if not used for volume production.

[James the Hogan Fan]

Most of them are milled into the face these days.

Yes, a CNC type of milling machine which is way too expensive if not used for volume production.

 

Thanks guys for your answers. I know CNC is outside my budget but I do have access to a bridgeport mill and was wondering if it were possible. At the end of the day it looks like yes with patience and a skilled machinist, but that bit they are using in the ping video is probably multiple thousands of dollars. I have an old wedge I really like with grooves that are done, and I was thinking fill with weld and mill out new ones.

Maybe the Iron Factory can handle it?

[wkuo3]

Most of them are milled into the face these days.

Yes, a CNC type of milling machine which is way too expensive if not used for volume production.

 

Thanks guys for your answers. I know CNC is outside my budget but I do have access to a bridgeport mill and was wondering if it were possible. At the end of the day it looks like yes with patience and a skilled machinist, but that bit they are using in the ping video is probably multiple thousands of dollars. I have an old wedge I really like with grooves that are done, and I was thinking fill with weld and mill out new ones.

Maybe the Iron Factory can handle it?

 

Now, I had not done this, but I believe fill in the old groove to make new noes is not practical. Might as well melt down the head and forge it again.

I had, seen others smooth out the surface before regrooving it. Lost of head weight and shape is unavoidable. Even if the top be totally redone with new layers added, then the cost involved would be several times more than the cost of a brand new one.

 

I understand the intention to hand on to the old equipment, seen a few wedge even had the face concave spot and still being used,

[James the Hogan Fan]

Most of them are milled into the face these days.

Yes, a CNC type of milling machine which is way too expensive if not used for volume production.

 

Thanks guys for your answers. I know CNC is outside my budget but I do have access to a bridgeport mill and was wondering if it were possible. At the end of the day it looks like yes with patience and a skilled machinist, but that bit they are using in the ping video is probably multiple thousands of dollars. I have an old wedge I really like with grooves that are done, and I was thinking fill with weld and mill out new ones.

Maybe the Iron Factory can handle it?

 

Now, I had not done this, but I believe fill in the old groove to make new noes is not practical. Might as well melt down the head and forge it again.

I had, seen others smooth out the surface before regrooving it. Lost of head weight and shape is unavoidable. Even if the top be totally redone with new layers added, then the cost involved would be several times more than the cost of a brand new one.

 

I understand the intention to hand on to the old equipment, seen a few wedge even had the face concave spot and still being used,

 

I agree the cost is a factor, and seeing as I got this wedge for free, any expense is more than what it cost me. The only thing I have going for me is that it’s a cast stainless club, and I don’t have to worry about losing the finish. I was also thinking of milling out the face and inserting a sort of insert, but I know then I kiss goodbye to feel and anything there used to be in the club.

 

And yeah I want to keep using it because it goes 115 yards. Not 112, not 118, but 115, (I exaggerate, I know) and that is incredibly valuable to me

[dunn]

I would just use a groove sharpener to bring em back to life....(have done it and they work great).....I know not confirming and all that but I didnt care....wasnt using them in tourneys and RIP cover off a ball when finished

 

I used motor oil and elbow grease and it worked better than I could have hoped for but it was lot of work

 

SIDE NOTE: this was on forged head idk bout cast but should work, maybe more work