Shaft extension issues

[FloggingOkie]

 Never had trouble the few times I did this in the past but doing a lot of grip work this wkend and have two steel shafted clubs that steel extensions don't even come close to fitting,  they're pretty much the same o.d. as the butt of the shafts. One is a Kenneth Smith 19 pw that had a neat little 1/2" wood ext with three little divots around the shaft to help hold it in, hated to drill it out but the club was  about 5/8 too short. I'll have to Torch out the end to remove the glued wood stuck to the inside of the shaft. Hear a lot of chatter about steel extensions adding weight, has anyone tried graphite ext on steel shafts?? Would be easy to sand them down to fit. I'm a tool maker so fabing up something from umhw or aluminum would be easy enough, but not looking to reinvent the wheel on vintage stuff with a 1+ inch ext, want a good result with one shot.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

I don't think I've ever used proprietory steel shaft extensions.

I prefer to save old shafts and cut to size and fit + epoxy in place.

[Maine Golfer]

I personally got +1 on extensions (steel) and don't worry about it changing the weight much. Yeah wooden dowles and such can be a pain to remove 

[MK Anderson]

After too many headaches with issues you describe above, I decided only to use golfworks premium shaft extensions.  They come in over a dozen sizes in very small increments. I bought the handy guide and keep a bunch of different sizes on hand. Have used to extend both graphite and steel shafts of varying diameters.  Just make sure you order the right size for your application as they don’t sand well/evenly. Also very light so negligible impact on swing weight vs steel extensions.  
 

 

[bcstones]

Golfworks has a "universal" extension that includes a plug, tapered, that goes down the center of the extension to expand the extension to fit the ID of the shaft, either steel or graphite...then cut to fit the length needed. 

[st1800e]

3 minutes ago, bcstones said:

Golfworks has a "universal" extension that includes a plug, tapered, that goes down the center of the extension to expand the extension to fit the ID of the shaft, either steel or graphite...then cut to fit the length needed. 

I’ve used those, but they’re not “universal”, they fit some shafts and not others.  I assumed they were universal and it held up a project till I could get the correct size delivered.

 I recall there is some size info on the webpage and the Q&A’s there.   
 

I don’t know why they call them universal.   

[bcstones]

@st1800e huh...I've had no problems, tho I do have other extensions...the last time I used it was to extend a Beckly Ralston Trapshooter. Origionaly my grip was at the very end of the shaft/grip, so I used it to get another 1"-2"...came out fine. Gotta admit tho, I prefer steel shaft extensions...no real reason, just a preference.

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, bcstones said:

@st1800e huh...I've had no problems, tho I do have other extensions...the last time I used it was to extend a Beckly Ralston Trapshooter. Origionaly my grip was at the very end of the shaft/grip, so I used it to get another 1"-2"...came out fine. Gotta admit tho, I prefer steel shaft extensions...no real reason, just a preference.

I imagine they’re fine on a steel shaft with its thin walls, didn’t work on several graphite, too big.  

[bcstones]

1 hour ago, st1800e said:

I imagine they’re fine on a steel shaft with its thin walls, didn’t work on several graphite, too big.  

hmmm...been quite awhile since I extended a graphite shaft, was easier to pull & replace. Good to know that about graphites, Thanks

[ezgoer]

I’ve used these stainless ones. PGA Superstore’s carry them. About $.75 more than the economy ones. They are considerably longer on the insertion end helping with adhesion and supposedly helping counterbalance the swing weight changes a little also. Was always told to use same material as the shaft but wonder if you could use aluminum or graphite in a steel shaft as long as you didn’t go past an inch?? Would help with weight changes maybe. 

Edited December 25, 2023 by ezgoer

[bcstones]

43 minutes ago, ezgoer said:

Was always told to use same material as the shaft

Guess my response to that statement would have run along the lines of "Why not? What is your reasoning?"
 

[ezgoer]

I have non other than that’s what I’ve been told. I always thought what could the difference be but…. 
 

Maybe it’s but coverage from the store guys??

 

I've only extended 1 full iron set and a few putters but never more than 1.25 inches total. 

 

My friend extended a club about 3.5 inches and that failed (bent) real quick  so guess I’d stick with 2 inch maximum extension rule for sure. 

Edited December 25, 2023 by ezgoer

[Shallowface]

I wouldn't use graphite to extend a steel shaft.  The edge on that shaft is sharp and I would be concerned about eventual breakage.

[bcstones]

16 hours ago, Shallowface said:

I wouldn't use graphite to extend a steel shaft.  The edge on that shaft is sharp and I would be concerned about eventual breakage.

I don't understand....the extension would be at the heel of your L hand (or R for a lefty)...where would the stress be?

[bcstones]

6 hours ago, bcstones said:

I don't understand....the extension would be at the heel of your L hand (or R for a lefty)...where would the stress be?

Come to think on it....even 3 1/2" would still put the "meld" in the middle of the hand....so I still don't understand where the stress would be?