Anyway to install grip...without a vise...?

[ajgoodal.704]

I've been installing grips in my kitchen for awhile now. No vice unless you consider my hands a vice. I normally just hold the shaft in one hand and slide the grip on with the other and then align it (use plenty of solvent, makes it go on easier and give you more time to tinker). I can't agree more with the advice to get hook blades. Not only are they necessary for graphite shafts, but it makes cutting the grip off alot safer. If you are installing .580 grips on .600 shafts than with no wraps you'll get a +1/64 oversize grip. If you add one wrap, you'll have the desired +1/32 oversize grip. I know alot of guys who like to build up the bottom hand, so they'll add at least another wrap on the bottom 4 inches. Lamkin has followed the lead on less taper and you'll notice that the new 3-Gen stuff feels like the right hand is built up without actually having to do it.

The last time I was at Golf Galaxy I heard a gentleman ask an associate whether you can install grips without a vice and the associate told him you absolutely need to have one. Just goes to show that just because someone is supposed to be an expert, doesn't mean they are.

[AZPhys13]

I bought a removable vise from home depot a couple of years ago for <$20 if I recall correctly. You can clamp it anywhere sturdy, like my kitchen counter, and go to town. It's small enough to keep in a box with the rest of my regripping gear and only comes out when I need it.

Here's one from Lowes, http://www.lowes.com/pd_211822-52800-BV-CO30_0_?productId=3053509&Ntt=vise&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=vise$y=0$x=0.

[cohenfive]

this is great info...i'm trying to figure out exactly what my son and i need to get started regripping our own clubs...looks like a trip to home depot is in order for a cheap vise and i guess the rest from golfsmith?

[KintamaTP]

[quote name='cohenfive' date='01 March 2010 - 04:13 PM' timestamp='1267488822' post='2286427']
this is great info...i'm trying to figure out exactly what my son and i need to get started regripping our own clubs...looks like a trip to home depot is in order for a cheap vise and i guess the rest from golfsmith?
[/quote]

I honestly don't think you need a vise. I don't use one. It's up to you as to what kind of tape and solvent you want to use, I use the non-toxic kind, water-based, so there is no worry about collecting excess or the worry of it pouring it down the drain or any of that sort of worry. You'd be surprised how little liquid you need. If you actually use the water-activated tape like I do, you actually don't even need to buy the "solvent for water activated tape" you can actually use diluted dish-washing liquid in a spray bottle, it'll do the same thing. Once you get it inside the grip and shake it well to coat it, you'll find it suds up just like soap.
All you need is some patience and time to remove the old tapes - most old tape comes off cleanly with only your hand muscles, it takes some time, but you can peel it all off by hand. On steel, you can use a knife/razor to scrape off to get it off quicker, but on graphite, it's best to just be careful with your hands so you don't scrape off too much of the paint/graphite.

I just use a towel on the floor for drips, a towel for gripping the shaft when I slide the grip on which also helps in wiping off any excess solvent/dish liquid. Then you can pull the grip on and twist it around into position. It's very easy and very simple, and you don't need a vise. All you need is a good razor-cutter knife, and that is it.

Just practise with an old wedge or something, once you do it a couple of times, it's actually fun, you'll start to experiment with all kinds of grips and become a grip fiend/Ho like me LOL

Good luck.

[OzzDOA]

Just over the kitchen sink. Really soaking the inside of the grips and the tape with solvent makes it easier to slide on and give you a little more time to fiddle with getting them lined up correctly. I can do a set of 13 clubs in about 75 minutes. It may take a little longer but at least the wife knows to leave me alone while I'm doing it so I save some money and some sanity.

[ravenranger]

I guess I am getting really old now.... 67 but still moving it out there pretty well for my age here in sunny FL. I remember regripping all my clubs using double-faced carpet tape (sticky on both sides) and gasoline as the solvent. Just used a utility knife to get the grips off, scraped the old tape off the shaft, used the carpet tape and put some gasoline into the new grip (holding a finger over the butt end to prevent leakage) poured the gas onto the new tape and slid on the grip. Had to wait overnight to use them, though, and doing it outdoors is a MUST for safety. Any old farts still using this method? I pay for my regripping now, since I am concerned I might slice off a finger with the utility knife.

[Baitkiller]

LOL at all the single guys re gripping over the kitchen sink and living room..Oh My Goodness Mrs. Baitkiller would certainly have an opinion about that. :busted_cop: