Gary Player Slazenger

pbulacz · July 12, 2023

Hi All,

I have a 2 iron in the attached Gary Player Slazenger irons that I am trying to restore.

It has a cracked ferrule which I’m replacing however I cannot get the club head off. Is anyone aware of whether these clubs are standard epoxy or threaded on?

Heat has not worked, only managed to melt the damaged epoxy. Brad Meehan from youtube suggested I reach out to this group, he also mentioned the club head and shaft may have just rusted and fused together which may mean just needing to cut the club head off.

bcstones · July 12, 2023

52 minutes ago, pbulacz said:

Hi All,

I have a 2 iron in the attached Gary Player Slazenger irons that I am trying to restore.

It has a cracked ferrule which I’m replacing however I cannot get the club head off. Is anyone aware of whether these clubs are standard epoxy or threaded on?

Heat has not worked, only managed to melt the damaged epoxy. Brad Meehan from youtube suggested I reach out to this group, he also mentioned the club head and shaft may have just rusted and fused together which may mean just needing to cut the club head off.

I think anyone from the UK might be able to help you better....thought it sounded familar - @Jiggered has a YouTube channel that covered the Slazenger Gary Player....enjoy

st1800e · July 13, 2023

the shaft could have been crimped when installed, common in the era when adhesives were not what they are today. I've never tried to remove one, but it would take a lot more force than normal. Rust may be an issue as well. Try some penetrating oil, NOT wd 40, something like PB Blaster or Kroil...Available at auto parts stores.

pbulacz · July 13, 2023

interesting re the crimping, would it be noticeable on the shaft or hozel?

For those interested I took the club to my local pro shop today and even they had no luck getting the head off with the shaft extractor and all their methods.

I’ll try the penetrating oil from an auto shop. I’m starting to think the shaft may be corroded or the shaft could have a thread and if I could just find something that could hold the shaft still from twisting maybe i’d have enough leverage to screw the head off. Unfortunately the rubber shaft clamp I have that I use in my vice doesn’t hold the club still enough no matter how tight it will still twist in the rubber fixture.

Foozle · July 13, 2023

Another possibility at this age and if UK made is "Delafit" spot welding. This is an internal spot weld system. Any examples I have seen have "Delafit" stamped on the hosel but given the fight this shaft is putting up it may be a possibility.

There are ways to removed these but I would generally regard them as fit for life and only replaced if a shaft breaks in which case the section in the hosel and weld can be reamed out.

st1800e · July 13, 2023

2 hours ago, pbulacz said:

Unfortunately the rubber shaft clamp I have that I use in my vice doesn’t hold the club still enough

Try some 2 sided grip tape on the shaft inside the rubber clamp.

The Aspidistra in the Hall · July 13, 2023

2 hours ago, Foozle said:

Another possibility at this age and if UK made is "Delafit" spot welding. This is an internal spot weld system. Any examples I have seen have "Delafit" stamped on the hosel but given the fight this shaft is putting up it may be a possibility.

There are ways to removed these but I would generally regard them as fit for life and only replaced if a shaft breaks in which case the section in the hosel and weld can be reamed out.

The definitive technique for removing Delafit spot-welded shafts is described in my PGA manual of the period.

Move the ferrule away from any possible heat damage.

With a long steel rod establish the point of blockage and location of the spot weld.

Heat the area with a blow torch to 'cherry red'.

Iron head in vice and pull to remove shaft.

A footnote states that most, but not all, iron heads or ferrules had Delafit stamped on them.

Jiggered · July 14, 2023

That's not a UK made Slazenger, could be Canadian, Australian or South African, I'd take where you found them as the guide for that.

Only other options as to why the head won't budge are a pinned head or a screwed shaft.

A pin should be easy to find, but I've never known Slazenger to use threaded shafts.

Is repairing the ferrule in-situ a possibility?

pbulacz · July 14, 2023

I bought it in Australia so yes I’d say an Aussie slazenger.

How would I replace a ferrule without taking off the club head? unless i’m missing something it can’t be done. The old ferrule is gone now haha after trying to budge this head with so much heat it’s gone bye bye in a combustible fashion.

Jiggered · July 15, 2023

I didn't know what the damage was to the old ferrule, if it was cracked you could have tried infilling with stained epoxy and clamping to bring the join together but if the ferrule is gone then you've a tough task on your hands.

I'm no expert on ferrule replacement and generally don't bother trying to repair them, I look at a damaged ferrule as a sign of a club's history.