Advice for new clubmaker…

[Ger21]

7 hours ago, JackGatling said:

What tool/piece of equipment have did you think you needed and hardly use? What are the must haves?

 

If you plan on pulling graphite shafts, you need a good shaft puller. And practice quite a bit, so you don't destroy a customers $350 shaft.

I don't pull enough graphite shafts to justify a shaft puller, so I pay a local shop to pull them.

You'll also want a loft and lie machine.

The must have is the belt sander.

[gdb99]

2 hours ago, Ger21 said:

Been building my own clubs for almost 35 years.

Started blowing grips on last year, and will never use double sided tape and solvent again.

One layer of blue tape, and blow them on. Haven't seen one move yet. And when it's time to change them, 2 seconds to pop them off. That's the best part.

I was using 1 layer as well. That’s when I had a couple grips move on me. Royal Grip cords specifically.
I read on here that 2 layers of blue tape is equal to 1 layer of double sided tape. 
Since I have been using 2 layers of blue tape, no issues with moving grips.

[Ger21]

8 hours ago, gdb99 said:

I read on here that 2 layers of blue tape is equal to 1 layer of double sided tape. 

I don't think there are any standards for blue tape thickness. I've definitely seen different thicknesses over the years.

I think the type of grip (rubber compound) also plays a role here. I usually play Iomics, which  don't seem to move at all.

[5hort5tuff]

Just buy a set of Calipers. You'll know exactly how much tape to put. 

[ShortGolfer]

Inexpensive six inch dial calipers are plenty accurate as long as you don't drop them.

The expensive ones have better "feel" and workmanship.

Another must have tool. Easily determine shaft diameters.  Is that .600 or .580?

How thick is the paint at the end of a 0.370 shaft?

Edited November 29, 2022 by ShortGolfer

[DLeightonReid]

For me the must haves are

 

shaft puller

vise and rubber lined clamp

dremel tool

loft lie machine

air compressor and attachment for blowing on grips  (I also use double sided tape and solvent)

yard stick

utility knife with curved blade

chop saw

 

 

Edited November 30, 2022 by DLeightonReid

[DLeightonReid]

After reading this thread, I am going to ask Santa for a 1/2 inch belt sander, a ferrule installation tool, and a grip removal tool.  

[ChristopherMcDonald]

6 minutes ago, DLeightonReid said:

After reading this thread, I am going to ask Santa for a 1/2 inch belt sander, a ferrule installation tool, and a grip removal tool.  

Poor mans grip removal tool is cheap as chips and doesn't mar shafts if you're careful:

https://www.hirekogolf.com/dynacraft-multi-blade-utility-knife-includes-5-hook-2-straight-blades.html

[ChristopherMcDonald]

This thread motivated me to buy another piece of equipment. Harbor Freight is great.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/cut-off-saws/2-in-mini-bench-top-cut-off-saw-62136.html

I would go with a bigger one but alas I live in an apartment so my entire workshop lives in my outdoor storage. Every tool is required to be efficient, mobile AND small. Cutting shafts by hand tools was getting messy even for my own personal builds. 

[JCAG]

Building clubs for yourself is one thing. Building for others is another thing. Enjoy doing your own work but I suggest do not do work for others.

[JackGatling]

31 minutes ago, JCAG said:

Building clubs for yourself is one thing. Building for others is another thing. Enjoy doing your own work but I suggest do not do work for others.

I’m curious, what’s your reasoning for this?

[ChristopherMcDonald]

37 minutes ago, JackGatling said:

I’m curious, what’s your reasoning for this?

I can agree to a degree, I've built for a couple of strangers and every time they called me for advice on settings (both were drivers) I was just waiting for the day it was about an epoxy failure. That'll definitely put a sour taste in your clients mouth and word of mouth goes a long way especially when you're just starting out.

 

Don't let that discourage you though, I'm just neurotic. 

[ChristopherMcDonald]

This thread is ultimately dangerous to my wallet... Got $1000 worth of equipment I don't really have space for in my cart on golfworks LOL

[DLeightonReid]

4 hours ago, ChristopherMcDonald said:

Poor mans grip removal tool is cheap as chips and doesn't mar shafts if you're careful:

https://www.hirekogolf.com/dynacraft-multi-blade-utility-knife-includes-5-hook-2-straight-blades.html

Hey Chris - Here's a link of the grip removal tool I was referring to.  I have never used one, but I believe it will come in handy to help remove grips with an air compressor.

 

https://www.golfworks.com/the-golfworks-v-groove-grip-removers/p/vggr/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5ycBhCXARIsAPldzoXz_ldZK1NiFUmMfNvbroDxFocpwXTTqOFRR9VRbRH2OYCDeGbnUVkaAiknEALw_wcB

 

[ChristopherMcDonald]

Just now, DLeightonReid said:

Hey Chris - Here's a link of the grip removal tool I was referring to.  I have never used one, but I believe it will come in handy to help remove grips with an air compressor.

 

https://www.golfworks.com/the-golfworks-v-groove-grip-removers/p/vggr/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5ycBhCXARIsAPldzoXz_ldZK1NiFUmMfNvbroDxFocpwXTTqOFRR9VRbRH2OYCDeGbnUVkaAiknEALw_wcB

 

DOH.. A grip remover to save the grips; makes sense. 

[ShortGolfer]

If I was going to start building clubs for others, I'd start with clubs for juniors.  Clubs that are only going to be used a short time until they are outgrown and need to be changed.

The idea is to get the club back to see how well they held up.  

Edited November 30, 2022 by ShortGolfer

[JackGatling]

I guess I should clarify, by local people I was mainly referring to buddies. I live in a rural town, hours away from the nearest professional shop that can do anything more complicated than changing grips. 

 

I honestly don’t have the spare time to do anything more than fix small things for friends or guys at the local course anyway. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending anything to someone who couldn’t immediately come to me if they had any problems so I could make it right. 
 

[T_Golf_23]

On 11/28/2022 at 2:24 PM, ShortGolfer said:

Air compressor for blowing grips on and off is a must have.

What do you all recommend here? 
 

any good compact brand ? 

Edited December 1, 2022 by T_Golf_23

[T_Golf_23]

3 hours ago, ChristopherMcDonald said:

This thread is ultimately dangerous to my wallet... Got $1000 worth of equipment I don't really have space for in my cart on golfworks LOL

Look on harbor freight …. Most of the same power tools, but cheaper and much cheaper shipping. 

[T_Golf_23]

On 11/28/2022 at 8:07 PM, Greenie said:

 

 I've been blowing on my grips with an old tire inflator since 2009. I have never had any grips slip on any of my clubs. I use masking tape or blue painters tape. It's saved me a ton of money. I've changed my grips four times this yr. I recently put on my grips I like to use when it is cold.

 

The funny thing is I have only put on grips for one of my friends. I told him to get the grips and I would put them on for free. He gets some of the cheapest grips he can find on Amazon. I blow them on and half of them slip on him our next time out. I'm guessing the inside diameters were all over the place. I had to reinstall them with tape and solvent. They were ok after that. I had to buy tape and solvent and when I charged him for the materials he gets bent out of shape. He says you said free..

 

I would agree if I was running a business and charging to install grips I would use tape and solvent. Do it right.

 

 

 

 

Pure grips whole claim to fame is the blow on grip because of the tight tolerances and consistent inside diameters..

[5hort5tuff]

To do regular work for friends. 

 

-bench vise

-grip setup (however you want, as you can see we all have our ways)

- shaft puller 

- small chop saw 

- measuring ruler/setup

-countless small tools - knife, hosel brushes, epoxy mixing supplies etc etc 

 

IMO you can hold off on certain things, loft/lie machine, belt sander...

 

It really depends what you are looking for. Start with the basics and go from there. 

 

 

[ChristopherMcDonald]

19 minutes ago, T_Golf_23 said:

Look on harbor freight …. Most of the same power tools, but cheaper and much cheaper shipping. 

Big fan of theirs but I don't think they have a loft/lie machine LOL, that being the big chunk 

[DArnie]

3 hours ago, JackGatling said:

I guess I should clarify, by local people I was mainly referring to buddies. I live in a rural town, hours away from the nearest professional shop that can do anything more complicated than changing grips. 

 

I honestly don’t have the spare time to do anything more than fix small things for friends or guys at the local course anyway. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending anything to someone who couldn’t immediately come to me if they had any problems so I could make it right. 
 

Take a class from Golfworks or Mitchell and guarantee your work. You will have problems needing to be fixed, that's part of it, especially when starting out. A lot of practice is still needed as experience helps tremendously. 😎

[Yacho]

Take $50 to goodwill and buy a pile of test subjects.  Have fun, and learn hands-on, guilt free.

[ShortGolfer]

Even though I don't normally use grip tape, I bought thirteen of my favorite grip with an install kit, so I have plenty of grip tape and solvent in case I ever need it.

It cost no more that  just the grips alone.

Edited December 1, 2022 by ShortGolfer

[Pleasedwith3putts]

Get an adapter pulling kit. It's basically a series of colour coded screws and washers which make it easy to remove all adapters with a half decent puller.

[JCAG]

22 hours ago, JackGatling said:

I’m curious, what’s your reasoning for this?

If you screw up a club of yours, no one knows. Screw up someone else's club and the world will know. Also can be a quick way to lose a friend if something you suggest does not work.