Fluid Feel Reshaft help!!!!

[JJensen]

I bought a set of 84-86 WS Tour Blade fluid feels and I am wanting to reshaft them. This is my first reshaft, and I realize it could be a tough one, but I am up for the challenge.

 

First a few questions.

 

These are .355 taper correct?

How do I remove/save the plugs?

Can I purchase new plugs?

 

Thanks guys!

[JJensen]

Anyone?

[teevons]

Wilson shafts are one of the hardest to work with for first time pull. The shaft might be smaller than 355, not sure about an 84 but earlier years were smaller than 355. I had to bore out the hosels on any staffs I reshafted with other than WS shafts. You will need to pull it and see. Good thing is they are not pinned.
Plugs are no longer available but you might check with Wilson as they still might have some in hiding.
The plug might come out in the shaft when you pull it, sometimes they stay in the head. The factory had a machine that put the plug in . I usually used colored epoxy on top of a cork in the shaft after it had cured in the head to make it look like a plug.
Good luck

[kobe882]

Im doing the same type of project. ill pm you some of the links ive found later today.

yes sounds like .355 taper . Although you may have to bore out the hosel .

if you lose a plug sounds like you can "make a new one" by filling it with some red colored epoxy. I pulled one shaft so far and the red plug was not damaged. But sometimes I guess they will fall out.

[JJensen]

[quote name='kobe882' timestamp='1379767947' post='7888205']
Im doing the same type of project. ill pm you some of the links ive found later today.

yes sounds like .355 taper . Although you may have to bore out the hosel .

if you lose a plug sounds like you can "make a new one" by filling it with some red colored epoxy. I pulled one shaft so far and the red plug was not damaged. But sometimes I guess they will fall out.
[/quote]

How hard was it to pull?

[kobe882]

The one I pulled was a fluid feel bullet back dynapower from 69-71.



a minute to a minute and a half with a propane hand torch and it twisted off with a bit of force.. It didn't really want to come off though. Wasn't horrible. I think I have three from the same era yours are from that I'll be pulling as well.

[kobe882]

this was the one i did yesterday: http://www.ironfinder.com/Individual-Irons/wilson/dynapower_staff_model_%28bullet_back%29-69.htm

from my research the easiest way is to heat the hosel with the propane torch for a minute or so then clamp the head in a vice using a kitchen hot pad to protect it. then pull the shaft out, twisting if necessary.


i believe these are the ones you are doing: http://www.ironfinder.com/Individual-Irons/wilson/staff_tour_blade_%28line_over%29-84.htm

i've got two or three of those in my set to do as well.

[JJensen]

Yup those are the ones I have.

[Froth]

Just a tip when working with these stubborn clubs - Many 80's Era Wilson hosels are threaded at the top and "bite" into the taper of the shaft, Do not attempt to "Pull" them straight off, you'll actually end up snapping the shaft in some clubs. You've got to twist the heads off the shaft, Looking at the club from the sole you need to turn the head Left(counter-clockwise) to remove them, I like to think of it as "opening up" the club, to take the heads off. Likewise, Looking from the end of the shaft you would turn the shaft to the left.

Edit: I find it best to apply a slight twisting force WHILE heating the hosel, you'll know the moment it lets go and will not overheat the hosel this way. Does not take as much heat as you think.

[kobe882]

let me know what shafts you go with. im not sure what im gonna use yet. ive read its best to go with a lighter shaft to keep the swing weight closer to normal.

[JJensen]

[quote name='kobe882' timestamp='1379848286' post='7892227']
let me know what shafts you go with. im not sure what im gonna use yet. ive read its best to go with a lighter shaft to keep the swing weight closer to normal.
[/quote]

I have been thinking about snagging some of those x200s off the bay cheap.

[juice744]

were you able to pull all the shafts on those 84-86's? I have a set of walter hagen (the model just after Crenshaw grind) and I have heard they were owned by Wilson at the time. and that they have similar shaft removing issue. (I have heard they are threaded too) Also, the hagens have false bottoms. there is a insert that makes it look like a through bore, so I guess there is a potential that yours could be the same if the parent company was the same. - (this is all second hand info)

would love to know how it works out, as I have avoided even trying to pull mine because of the problems I have heard about

also, just a side note- I find using a small flame applied evenly works best. if you use I big flame I feel like the shaft expands in the hosel and actually becomes MUCH harder to pull.

[JJensen]

Not sure if I'm going to do this anymore. Cash I short right now.... If anyone wants these to play around wisth let me know and I'll give you a deal.