C'mon guys, is it that hard to change shafts?

[Simp]

I mean, really? Does it usually take 3 days to change a shaft in a 3 wood? I called every shop that I know of and if I bring it in Wednesday (today) they'll have it by Saturday evening. I'm not talking about composite heads or bore-through's. I'm talking about a V Steel! Can't I do this myself and save some time and money and most importantly, aggravation?

[thewitt]

This is the busy season for most of us - so no, not hard, but also likely to be a waiting list.

 

-t

[azone]

Most of us start doing our own club work in order to get what we want, when we want and then find out there is a good bit to learn. Not hard to do most anything if approached correctly.

[RagingAardvark]

The usual issue is that there is a backlog. When I wrenched in a bike shop I could tune bikes in no time, so customers would always be baffled when told their bike wouldn't be ready for at least 24 hours (usually more). We ALWAYS had a backlog I was working through, and it's first-in, first-out.

 

And no, it's not that hard, it just takes some time to do it carefully. The investment for you is simply in the tools. I do my own now. ;)

[evensorodds]

The usual issue is that there is a backlog. When I wrenched in a bike shop I could tune bikes in no time, so customers would always be baffled when told their bike wouldn't be ready for at least 24 hours (usually more). We ALWAYS had a backlog I was working through, and it's first-in, first-out.

 

And no, it's not that hard, it just takes some time to do it carefully. The investment for you is simply in the tools. I do my own now. ;)

 

Because of that reason I learned to wrench on my own bikes last year and got pretty good at it. I plan on doing the same for golf equipment this year. I like to do things on my own so that if I mess something up I know who to blame, and also I like learning new skills.

[Simp]

Ok, so if it's not that hard then what would I need to do the basics? I'd be changing graphite shafts in the woods for the most part. Heat gun, shaft puller?

[drpino]

a lot of people think their club(s) are the only ones that have to be worked on...if you're that impatient, do it yourself. you'll need...

 

workbench or somewhere to lay everything out

vice

heat gun

shaft puller

hosel cleaner to clean up the old epoxy (can be sandpaper type or wire brush type)

hacksaw or something to tip the shaft for a fairway wood install

razor blade/box cutter to prep the tip

epoxy (mixing stick, mixing container)

ferrules

acetone

48" ruler

grip stuff (solvent, tape, etc)

swingweight scale (if you care)

frequency analyzer (if you care)

[Dyno]

Proper 24 hr epoxy needs to cure overnight so that's 2 days. The extra day might be needed if the client is a pain in the arse.

[Simp]

Proper 24 hr epoxy needs to cure overnight so that's 2 days. The extra day might be needed if the client is a pain in the arse.

 

I'm sure that the guys on Tour don't have to wait 24 to 48 hours for a driver to get reshafted. What type of epoxy do those guys use? 5 minute epoxy? Does it really matter if someone uses 5 minute epoxy or the 24 hour stuff?

[thewitt]

Tour Van epoxy is generally 5 or 10 miute cure - that is correct.

 

Remember when DiMarco's Ping driver head came off at the Masters...

 

The longer the cure time for shafting epoxy the more flexible the end joint.

 

We use a 6 hour cure as a compromise, and only use 5 minute epoxies on putters or other low impact jobs.

 

-t

[stage1350]

When you hear popping and creaking at the bond joint, you'll understand why you want to use 24 hour epoxy.

[Ogre41]

I tried the 5 minute stuff from golfsmith, but a lost 3 iron and 6 iron head later and I had to remake the whole set! I went with the 24 hr from h--- depot and haven't had a problem. I have not messed with graphite though, but I doubt there would be a big difference between bonding to graphite/steel if the tip is abraded. To be honest, a three day turnaround isn't that bad. It takes a bit of time to pull the shaft, clean the head, prep the new shaft, and install it. Then you wait for the 24 hour cure before you cut to length and grip, so that's really two days right there if you wait for the grip to dry. You can do it faster, but there can always be problems. Saving the $30 every time I want a new shaft would be a better reason for me. But to pay for that you're gonna need to do a lot of shafts if you want to swingweight and frequency each one, not to mention spine, to make it worthwhile as an investment. It's fun though!

[Simp]

Yeah, I realize that I'm not the only golfer that needs shaft changes and don't expect to be catered to, but I don't want to depend on someone else to do what I think I can do myself, on my own time. And like you say, it should be fun!

[Deggs]

It is fun but I would suggest a few practice pulls on old clubs before pulling the gamer.

[joey3108]

I'm not gonna say who is wrong or right here. The clubmakers has time schedule to make all his customers equally fair & happy and you can't wait to have your club reshafted.

 

Basically if you can't wait to meet the clubmakers schedule, you can do it your self.

 

Easy or not are depending your knowledge on clubmaking, the tooling you have, and how detail you like it to be finish.

 

Investment on tooling are depending how good of a result you need them to be and you knowledge using/handling those tools. The deeper your knowledge and the more meticulous you are will dictate on how much you gonna spend on buying the tools.

 

Mistakes can be costly ( time and money ) if you don't know what you are doing. The beauty is you don't have to blame it on the clubmakers but yourself. ;)

 

Most good Doctors are at least 1 month scheduling to make an appointment, if we can't wait...ER is the other choice or a doctors who just open their own office.

 

We don't live alone in this world, patient is a must to have to survive IMO!

 

Just my 2 cents!

 

Joe:)

[mikpga]

Maybe all the club repair outfits should start their own DRIVE THRU service for Simp!

 

To answer your question Simp...There isn't much to reshafting the club you have...

 

However, there are other repair orders that have come in before you, and you also have to allow for some time for the epoxy to set...

 

Some places can do it 'priority' for you at a higher cost...

 

It's about customer service and making sure the job is done right and in a reasonable amount of time...

 

Do you want your steak cooked thoroughly, or would you like me to zap it real quick for you in the microwave?

[Simp]

Maybe all the club repair outfits should start their own DRIVE THRU service for Simp!

 

Try reading the entire post before making rediculous comments next time. ;)

[golf80808]

Try doing it yourself. It's not too big of an investment to pull the shaft and epoxy a new one in, then regrip. If you look around, you probably already have most of the tools.

[Simp]

Yeah, I think all I'll need is a heat gun and some smaller tools. I think I'll try it. but like another poster implied, my first shaft pull/install will definitely not be a Diamana!

[cannon]

I wouldn't pull a graphite shaft without a puller if I was you.

You should be able to pick one up fairly reasonable on auction site or I am sure if you place an add on WTB some shop guys here will one they want to sell after upgrading.

Have fun

[RagingAardvark]

I wouldn't pull a graphite shaft without a puller if I was you.

Absolutely. you can't twist the head off a graphite shaft, that's a pretty good way to trash a shaft. ;)

[Ace In The Hole]

What will twisting a head off do to a graphit shaft, just curious more than anything.

[handmadeaddicted]

Want me to post pictures ok basically the shaft is not meant to have that kinda of rotational force put on the tip. A puller only puts a paralell force down the tip. Your will trash shafts twisting them out. Want to see the zcom sitting down stairs with the tip ripped off. nuff said???

[thewitt]

[quote name='Ace In The Hole' post='805441' date='Nov 28 2007, 12:34 PM']What will twisting a head off do to a graphit shaft, just curious more than anything.[/quote]

When you heat a graphite shaft, you soften it's construction - even when you heat it well below the temperature at which the resin will separate.

When you twist a heated graphite shaft, you pull apart all the fibers.

It looks like a twisted celery stalk...

-t

[chima]

first come first serve, 24 hr epoxy mandatory, whiners,complainers, pains in the arse, end of the line maybe for following day as well, so how long would u like me to cook your 3 minute egg? 30 seconds? 90 seconds? so many hours in a day,each job takes a specific time. Most wont push all other work aside for someone. Try that kinda crap gettn ur oil changed one day., see where that gets ya.!!!!It takes what it takes.

[Ace In The Hole]

[quote name='chima' post='805627' date='Nov 28 2007, 03:43 PM']first come first serve, 24 hr epoxy mandatory, whiners,complainers, pains in the arse, end of the line maybe for following day as well, so how long would u like me to cook your 3 minute egg? 30 seconds? 90 seconds? so many hours in a day,each job takes a specific time. Most wont push all other work aside for someone. Try that kinda crap gettn ur oil changed one day., see where that gets ya.!!!!It takes what it takes.[/quote]


Whoa didn't mean to reopen old wounds with this acient thread, I was just curious about the head twisting. SOrry guy, and thanks too the two who answered my question I kinda figured it would seperate the fibers but thought I would ask anyway.

[ezra76]

I've pulled several shafts on my gas stove. None of which I cared about and most of which I ruined. I've managed to save 2 graphite shafts by putting them on and off the heat for over 10minutes, not letting it heat up too much at one time. I have a thick oven mitt on the floor, step on the head and pull it straight out. The 2 I saved popped out like a cork. I wouldn't dare try it on a shaft I cared about though. Assembly is usually a piece of cake. Although the last 2 installs were previous pulls with epoxy up in the tip. I lost it into the shaft and had to pull the grip off to the drop it out the back end. I also learned how to save a grip with a coathanger, mineral spirits and a slurpee straw... and I don't recommend it, lol.

[mattsam]

I ended up making my own puller and it works GREAT. I have only damaged ONE shaft and I must be up to near 100 total pulls. I really should make one and sell them, they work great!

Its hard don't get me wrong. After killing shafts I never wanted I made a nice puller for the more expensive work. Its 30 min drive to the first clubmaker and he is no good. The only person that can do it better than me would be over an hour drive or two way shipping, making it a 5-7 day turnaround.

I have nearly worn out my current puller I need to come up with a nice air powered one!
Matt

[handmadeaddicted]

Haha I use the coat hanger thing all the time. Fold it in half and slide it down with grip solvent its easy.