Reshafting persimmon

[dbg78]

I am sure this has been asked countless times, but how easy or otherwise is it to reshaft a persimmon wood?

 

1990’s club with dynamic gold. Need a softer flex and preferably slightly higher launch. Ideas on shaft welcome...

 

Finally, any recommendations for a reliable place to get the work done in the UK? Preferably Scotland.

 

Thanks guys.

[James the Hogan Fan]

If you are decent with tools, you can do it yourself pretty easily. There are complications that can come up.

 

Shafts are held in by a combination of whipping, glue, and screws. Whipping unwraps (save it if you can) and the screws either loosen or must be drilled out. If you are lucky, the glue will be old and after the screws are removed, the head will be loose and just pull off on its own. If not, some heating will be required, usually performed by placing a heated rod inside the shaft such that its heat is transferred to and breaks down the bond.

 

So if you have the shaft out, and its .335, then find a .335 shaft of your choosing and insert. They still make dynamic golds of different flexes. Otherwise maybe graphite. I don’t know about modern shafts in persimmon, personally. If not .335 you will have to bore it out to make .335 fit.

 

Either way, Roughen the area of the shaft to be epoxied. Epoxy the new shaft back on and you’re good to go. If the neck is cracked at all, be sure to get epoxy into the crack to stablize it. Modern epoxy is good enough you shouldn’t need to replace screws unless you want to. Then rewhip.

 

There is a great video series on youtube where a guy goes through a whole restoration. You can watch the part about shaft removal. I’ll update with a link in a bit.

 

No idea about Scotland, sorry there. Oughton’s golf in Sacramento California is about all I know.

 

 

Here’s your link:

[dbg78]

Many thanks James. Very helpful.

[dbg78]

Should a shaft in a bore-thru metal wood be able to be pulled and put into a persimmon of the same era easily enough? Thanks

[robert horneman]

Modern shafts are.355 or.350. Most persimmon clubs were .294 or  .277. so the bore would have to be drilled/reamed to fit the new shaft.

[James the Hogan Fan]

It will come down to diameter and tip profile. I can’t say yes or no. However you will probably have to at the very least re-profile the tip of the shaft to match the sole of the persimmon club. 

[RobotDoctor]

I am in the hunt for 10-12 new 0.294 shafts. I have a couple/three sets of woods that I want to be refinished pristine.

[robert horneman]

Let us know if and where you find them?

[JoePete]

> @RobotDoctor said:

> I am in the hunt for 10-12 new 0.294 shafts. I have a couple/three sets of woods that I want to be refinished pristine.

Your best bet is probably finding old clubs on eBay and pulling the shafts. There is a bit of a contradiction to "refinished pristine," and it is one I have struggled with over the years. As fun as it can be to try to restore a club, it's only original once. Don't underestimate the value of leaving everything as is. Now, if you are looking to play the club, I think the best starting point is re-boring and putting in a modern shaft. Purists may be aghast at the idea, but I think it is far better to have a persimmon in the bag than in the case.

[RobotDoctor]

> @JoePete said:

> > @RobotDoctor said:

> > I am in the hunt for 10-12 new 0.294 shafts. I have a couple/three sets of woods that I want to be refinished pristine.

> Your best bet is probably finding old clubs on eBay and pulling the shafts. There is a bit of a contradiction to "refinished pristine," and it is one I have struggled with over the years. As fun as it can be to try to restore a club, it's only original once. Don't underestimate the value of leaving everything as is. Now, if you are looking to play the club, I think the best starting point is re-boring and putting in a modern shaft. Purists may be aghast at the idea, but I think it is far better to have a persimmon in the bag than in the case.

 

I agree that a club is original once. Most of my clubs have already been refinished, although I have a handful of fairway woods that have neck numbers and have never been refinished. I am looking to have a few sets restored to original like condition. Some have shafts are are severely pitted while others are in decent shape. I am looking to swap out the severely pitted shafts with new shafts with same bore. Most of these will reside in my MacGregor staff bag in my office but a select few drivers will continue to occasionally accompany me to the course (with a few Titleist Balata balls). I am looking to reduce my collection of classic MacGregors to complete sets of the following:

 

1954 M85W - 1-3 (with neck numbers - driver has been refinished by Dave Wood (by previous owner - 2-3 to be restored)

1954 945W - 1-4 (to be restored)

1950 693 - 1-4 (Driver being restored by Dave Wood, 2-4 to be restored)

1950 M43T - 1-4 (set has been refinished by PersimmonPal)

1954 TP Special - 1-4 (set has been refinished by PersimmonPal)

1950 653 - 1-3 (with neck numbers - to be restored)

 

I also have a spare woods:

1952 M09 Jumbo LFF (restored by Dave Wood)

1954 945W driver (reshafted with S-300 - to be refinished)

1950 693 driver (to be restored)

1953 945TW 3 wood (solid red insert)

1941 TA Ben Hogan 4393 - 3 and 4 woods (to be restored)

[Prsmnstudio]

RobotDoc - I actually have a huge stash of Dynamic taper tip .294 shafts. They are NOS, still unopened in the original box of 250 shafts. I bought them from John Powell in Sarasota when they closed. I am considering selling them because I'm moving, but don't really want to break open the box and sell piecemeal. If it comes to pass that I can't sell the whole box to a club restorer, I'd be happy to discuss a smaller batch with you. I'm also selling some of my classics, I have a some gems. Message me if you are interested.