Shaft cutter/ferrule turning machine from Golfworks

[oldhamer25]

Anyone had experience with this machine?

https://www.golfworks.com/the-golfworks-1-x-30-shaft-cutter-ferrule-turning-machine/p/gw1120/

[mesomike]

It excellent for turning ferrules. I have it.

 

Just swap the two plastic holders. Put the round one in front and the v one in the back.

[lbhitter]

It looks nice, but the rpms look high. Much easier to have success with something in the ~1600 rpm range.

 

https://www.golfworks.com/shaft-and-ferrule-prepping-machine/p/gm1058/

[halliedog]

Is anyone really having that much trouble turning ferrules? Where are you buying them from? I go Cel-Parts every time, and order something remotely close to the correct O.D., then it's just a matter of some acetone on a white tee-shirt and very minimal elbow grease.

 

I have an old Dremel with abrasive cut-off wheels set up in a "homemade" vise next to my club-holding vise that I use for cutting shafts. Measure twice, mark, (use masking tape if graphite), and cut - pretty simple.

[oldhamer25]

Thanks for all the information and suggestions.

[SUMM1T]

Is anyone really having that much trouble turning ferrules? Where are you buying them from? I go Cel-Parts every time, and order something remotely close to the correct O.D., then it's just a matter of some acetone on a white tee-shirt and very minimal elbow grease.

 

I have an old Dremel with abrasive cut-off wheels set up in a "homemade" vise next to my club-holding vise that I use for cutting shafts. Measure twice, mark, (use masking tape if graphite), and cut - pretty simple.

 

It’s not that turning ferrules is difficult, but that it needs to look a specific way at all times. I have done both methods and much prefer turning ferrules down with a belt and then finishing with acetone. It gives me the best chance for a clean and even ferrule that has shine to it. “Homemad” shops are great for the weekend warrior, but as soon as it becomes part of your livelihood, it just doesn’t cut it.

[mesomike]

Is anyone really having that much trouble turning ferrules? Where are you buying them from? I go Cel-Parts every time, and order something remotely close to the correct O.D., then it's just a matter of some acetone on a white tee-shirt and very minimal elbow grease.

 

I have an old Dremel with abrasive cut-off wheels set up in a "homemade" vise next to my club-holding vise that I use for cutting shafts. Measure twice, mark, (use masking tape if graphite), and cut - pretty simple.

I’m sold. How much to build a whole set for me? Lol

[dunn]

I bought a belt sander and made my own "holder"......that sander is really expensive for what it is....

[wfwp]

As dunn pointed out the self contained unit has a hefty price for the limited benefits. Since the rpms are high the self contained machine seems to have little benefit to buying a 1" x 30 belt sander, ferrule turning arm, and a chop saw separately ($160 v. $250). I agree with Ibhitter on the professional belt sander is better if you are looking for golf specific sander (tip prep and ferrule finishing).

[MysteryV]

I actually picked this little guy up recently to test out:

 

https://www.golfworks.com/ferrule-and-shaft-prepping-tool/p/gw0101/?

 

Figure if it's a piece of junk, it's a pretty cheap experiment.

[mesomike]

As dunn pointed out the self contained unit has a hefty price for the limited benefits. Since the rpms are high the self contained machine seems to have little benefit to buying a 1" x 30 belt sander, ferrule turning arm, and a chop saw separately ($160 v. $250). I agree with Ibhitter on the professional belt sander is better if you are looking for golf specific sander (tip prep and ferrule finishing).

 

Yep it is a bit pricey. I wanted something that was compact and would prep, cut, and turn ferrules all in one. Its easy for me to slide it around on my bench and doesn't take up much space.

[Joker91]

I actually picked this little guy up recently to test out:

 

https://www.golfworks.com/ferrule-and-shaft-prepping-tool/p/gw0101/?

 

Figure if it's a piece of junk, it's a pretty cheap experiment.

Curious how this one works

[Cwebb]

It looks nice, but the rpms look high. Much easier to have success with something in the ~1600 rpm range.

 

https://www.golfwork...chine/p/gm1058/

 

Agreed. Always go with a 42" belt, if you want to be efficient with ferrule turning

[Jagpilotohio]

I always use the time tested method of lint free cheesecloth with acetone and spinning the ferrule in my fingertips to turn the ferrule.

 

Takes some practice I guess but I’ve been doing it nearly 30 years.

[MysteryV]

Odd question from a ferrule turning noob - but why the emphasis on "lint-free"? Seems like it's referenced everywhere.

 

Does the lint "melt" into the ferrule if you're using acetone?

[SUMM1T]

Odd question from a ferrule turning noob - but why the emphasis on "lint-free"? Seems like it's referenced everywhere.

 

Does the lint "melt" into the ferrule if you're using acetone?

 

Lint will show when using acetone on ferrules. It becomes a mess when cleaning off, you just make it worse every time you try cleaning it off. I use the cheap paper towels from my grocery store that have the designs on them because they produce less lint. There are some "special" wipes you can buy online, MitchellGolf sells them on their site. However, if you know what you're doing, you'll be fine without special ones.

[halliedog]

I always use the time tested method of lint free cheesecloth with acetone and spinning the ferrule in my fingertips to turn the ferrule.

 

Takes some practice I guess but I’ve been doing it nearly 30 years.

 

I've never used cheesecloth, but also didn't mention in my post that I always use a very old Tee-shirt that is at end of life. Barely any cotton left on there to leave lint. And it can be white, grey, blue - whatever. As long as it doesn't have any lint fibers to get embedded into the ferrule. I usually use an old white one because I primarily use white ferrules with colored rings, and the colors don't seem to bleed into the white area as bad.

 

To you guys doing this as a business, I totally understand using a machine to do this - you don't have time to dink around like I do, since I'm only doing a few sets/year!

[oldhamer25]

Mesomike that was my thinking as well, but I am leaning towards the belt sander and ferrule turning arm suggestion. Sure wish golfworks would let that 20% coupon for tools to work on the bigger machines.

[Jagpilotohio]

Odd question from a ferrule turning noob - but why the emphasis on "lint-free"? Seems like it's referenced everywhere.

 

Does the lint "melt" into the ferrule if you're using acetone?

 

Correct. Lint and turning ferrules is a bad mix.

[Jagpilotohio]

I always use the time tested method of lint free cheesecloth with acetone and spinning the ferrule in my fingertips to turn the ferrule.

 

Takes some practice I guess but I’ve been doing it nearly 30 years.

 

I've never used cheesecloth, but also didn't mention in my post that I always use a very old Tee-shirt that is at end of life. Barely any cotton left on there to leave lint. And it can be white, grey, blue - whatever. As long as it doesn't have any lint fibers to get embedded into the ferrule. I usually use an old white one because I primarily use white ferrules with colored rings, and the colors don't seem to bleed into the white area as bad.

 

To you guys doing this as a business, I totally understand using a machine to do this - you don't have time to dink around like I do, since I'm only doing a few sets/year!

 

Totally agree. If I did any real volume I’d have one of those machines the first time they went on sale.

[delmer]

It looks like a nice unit. I've got a Baldor motor with a 42"belt and a 6" cutoff wheel but it is essentially the same setup.

 

The only thing I was going to say would be a downside is the availability of a good 30" belt but they make the felt turning belt in 30" and I would recommend that.

 

The only thing better than a felt belt for turning ferrules is a cork belt but the cork belts are a lot harder to find.

[mesomike]

Mesomike that was my thinking as well, but I am leaning towards the belt sander and ferrule turning arm suggestion. Sure wish golfworks would let that 20% coupon for tools to work on the bigger machines.

Yeah I did the ferrule turning arm and sander before, but it just doesn't hold the club in the right position like this machine does. Makes it much easier with the guides.

[Stuart_G]

I actually picked this little guy up recently to test out:

 

https://www.golfwork...tool/p/gw0101/?

 

Figure if it's a piece of junk, it's a pretty cheap experiment.

Curious how this one works

 

Personally I was a bit disappointed with it. For me at least, I found that a regular shaft clamp and a shoe-shine motion with either the sanding paper or felt strips was much easier and much more effective.

[delmer]

I actually picked this little guy up recently to test out:

 

https://www.golfwork...tool/p/gw0101/?

 

Figure if it's a piece of junk, it's a pretty cheap experiment.

Curious how this one works

 

Personally I was a bit disappointed with it. For me at least, I found that a regular shaft clamp and a shoe-shine motion with either the sanding paper or felt strips was much easier and much more effective.

 

I actually do the clamp method like Stuart G suggests once in a while just for fun and you actually get better results doing it that way than anything. The only reason to by a machine to turn down ferrules is if you're doing a lot of clubs. You can turn them by hand really easily if you're only doing a set here and a set there.

[McGolf]

I like units that save space in the shop so any small foot print dual purpose machine is a win.

however you have to have the right tool for the right job.

The best RPM for ferrules is around 1800 rpms where cutting/grinding is about 3600.

So a sander polisher makes since at 1800 where a sander for grinding and cutting is a tool at 3600.

If you cant get there use a light touch when finishing ferrules

[delmer]

I like units that save space in the shop so any small foot print dual purpose machine is a win.

however you have to have the right tool for the right job.

The best RPM for ferrules is around 1800 rpms where cutting/grinding is about 3600.

So a sander polisher makes since at 1800 where a sander for grinding and cutting is a tool at 3600.

If you cant get there use a light touch when finishing ferrules

 

It depends upon how fast the belt is going and the contact wheel looks pretty small on that unit so I'm not sure how the belt will perform. Golf Works usually puts out pretty good tools so I'm sure they addressed the higher RPM motor with the smaller contact wheel.

[Matts816]

Anyone had experience with this machine?

https://www.golfwork...chine/p/gw1120/

 

Own it and use it frequently. Its a great machine, just have to be a bit careful not to burn the ferrules, once you get a feel for it, it's very simple. Shaft clamp and cutting part works great. Belts change fast and easy. Saves a ton of space. I wouldn't hesitate to buy again.

[oldhamer25]

I actually picked this little guy up recently to test out:

 

https://www.golfwork...tool/p/gw0101/?

 

Figure if it's a piece of junk, it's a pretty cheap experiment.

Curious how this one works

 

Personally I was a bit disappointed with it. For me at least, I found that a regular shaft clamp and a shoe-shine motion with either the sanding paper or felt strips was much easier and much more effective.

I have done the sand paper strips before to work on ferrules. When you say felt strips, do you mean that you take a felt belt and turn it into strips to work on the ferrule?

[Stuart_G]

I have done the sand paper strips before to work on ferrules. When you say felt strips, do you mean that you take a felt belt and turn it into strips to work on the ferrule?

 

When I say felt strips, I'm talking about the "cloth ferrule polishing strips" that come with this:

 

https://www.golfwork...tool/p/gw0101/?

 

Notice in the 'add-ons' you can buy them separately as well.

[oldhamer25]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, might have to give that a try.