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DIY Shaft Installation
Once you have carefully selected a shaft, (making sure that you have the correct tip size to fit into the club-head) you can have a club repair shop install it or you can install it yourself. If you feel confident enough to fit it yourself, follow the steps below to prepare the shaft and the club-head for fitting.
Once you have carefully selected a shaft, (making sure that you have the correct tip size to fit into the club-head) you can have a club repair shop install it or you can install it yourself. If you feel confident enough to fit it yourself, follow the steps below to prepare the shaft and the club-head for fitting.
Step 1 - Removing the Old Shaft
The old shaft - or whatever is left of it, must be removed from the club head. To do this, you must apply enough heat to the hosel to break down the epoxy adhesive between the shaft and the head. A heat gun or torch can be used. If you are replacing a shaft on a wood or hybrid that
has an enamel, lacquer or painted head, be very careful not to burn the coating. Most irons, woods and hybrids are fitted with a plastic ferrule at the top of the hose. After a little heat is applied you maybe able to slide it up the shaft to avoid damage or melting, although these are mostly cosmetic and are easily replaced and fitted. If there is enough shaft left in the head, place the shaft in a vise (if replacing a shaft that is not broken or a shaft you plan on saving, purchase a rubber shaft holder to prevent damage to the shaft). Apply the heat evenly to the hosel (where the shaft is attached). After a few seconds the epoxy should break down and you can pull the head off the shaft. If removing a graphite shaft, try not to twist the head off as this can damage the shaft. Wear protective work gloves to prevent burning your hands. If the old
shaft has broken off flush with the hosel of the club there are a couple of easy options to try. If it is a graphite shaft, it can be drilled out. Start with a small drill bit an work your way up in size until the shaft is out. if it is a steel shaft, heat the hosel of the club and and try pulling the broken shaft out with some pinched nosed pliers. If that fails then you can try drilling it out but be careful not to use a bit that is too large which will remove the actual inside lining of the hosel of the club-head.
The old shaft - or whatever is left of it, must be removed from the club head. To do this, you must apply enough heat to the hosel to break down the epoxy adhesive between the shaft and the head. A heat gun or torch can be used. If you are replacing a shaft on a wood or hybrid that
has an enamel, lacquer or painted head, be very careful not to burn the coating. Most irons, woods and hybrids are fitted with a plastic ferrule at the top of the hose. After a little heat is applied you maybe able to slide it up the shaft to avoid damage or melting, although these are mostly cosmetic and are easily replaced and fitted. If there is enough shaft left in the head, place the shaft in a vise (if replacing a shaft that is not broken or a shaft you plan on saving, purchase a rubber shaft holder to prevent damage to the shaft). Apply the heat evenly to the hosel (where the shaft is attached). After a few seconds the epoxy should break down and you can pull the head off the shaft. If removing a graphite shaft, try not to twist the head off as this can damage the shaft. Wear protective work gloves to prevent burning your hands. If the old
shaft has broken off flush with the hosel of the club there are a couple of easy options to try. If it is a graphite shaft, it can be drilled out. Start with a small drill bit an work your way up in size until the shaft is out. if it is a steel shaft, heat the hosel of the club and and try pulling the broken shaft out with some pinched nosed pliers. If that fails then you can try drilling it out but be careful not to use a bit that is too large which will remove the actual inside lining of the hosel of the club-head.
Step 2 - Cleaning Out the Hosel-head
Once the shaft is removed, the epoxy residue that is left in the hosel must be cleaned out. Use a hosel cleaner or a round file will work fine. Make sure the inside of the hosel is clean and dry.
Once the shaft is removed, the epoxy residue that is left in the hosel must be cleaned out. Use a hosel cleaner or a round file will work fine. Make sure the inside of the hosel is clean and dry.
Step 3 - Preparing the Shaft for Installation
First, follow the manufacturer's recommended tip trimming. To trim the tip, use a fine blade hack saw or cutting wheel. A pipe cutter can be used on steel shafts but not on graphite as it will damage the fibers of the graphite. If the shaft is graphite, be sure not to splinter the graphite during cutting as this will weaken the shaft. Put several wraps of masking tape around the area to be cut. Once you have measured the correct length for trimming, cut the tip off. Next, measure the depth of the hosel with the shaft tip and mark this dimension on the shaft with a marker pen. Next, wrap some tape around the shaft to identify which part of the tip will require preparing for fitting. On graphite shaft, remove all the paint from the tip - I suggest using a razor blade or sharp knife to do this - and again, be careful not to damage the graphite fibers.Take the blade and gently scrape away the paint from the tip of the shaft. This is enough preparation for the tip to be fitted. For a steel shaft, wrap tape around the shaft to identify the area to prepare for fitting. Use a file or heavy-grit sandpaper to the roughen the plating on the tip.
First, follow the manufacturer's recommended tip trimming. To trim the tip, use a fine blade hack saw or cutting wheel. A pipe cutter can be used on steel shafts but not on graphite as it will damage the fibers of the graphite. If the shaft is graphite, be sure not to splinter the graphite during cutting as this will weaken the shaft. Put several wraps of masking tape around the area to be cut. Once you have measured the correct length for trimming, cut the tip off. Next, measure the depth of the hosel with the shaft tip and mark this dimension on the shaft with a marker pen. Next, wrap some tape around the shaft to identify which part of the tip will require preparing for fitting. On graphite shaft, remove all the paint from the tip - I suggest using a razor blade or sharp knife to do this - and again, be careful not to damage the graphite fibers.Take the blade and gently scrape away the paint from the tip of the shaft. This is enough preparation for the tip to be fitted. For a steel shaft, wrap tape around the shaft to identify the area to prepare for fitting. Use a file or heavy-grit sandpaper to the roughen the plating on the tip.
Step 4 - Fitting the Ferrule
Push the ferrule onto the tip of the shaft and then push the shaft tip into the hose of the club.
Lightly tap the shaft onto the ground so that the club-head pushes the ferrule to the correct depth.
Push the ferrule onto the tip of the shaft and then push the shaft tip into the hose of the club.
Lightly tap the shaft onto the ground so that the club-head pushes the ferrule to the correct depth.
Step 5 - Installing the Shaft
Once the hosel and shaft have been prepared you are ready to install the shaft. Use a two pack epoxy and apply it to the inside of the hosel, making sure to coat the entire surface. Next, apply the epoxy to the tip of the shaft. Slowly push the shaft into the hosel, being sure to turn the shaft at the same time. Use a cloth and some mineral spirit to clean any epoxy residue from the hosel area. If installing a graphite shaft, line up the shaft graphics to suit. Carefully place the shaft against the wall for the epoxy to fully cure.
Once the hosel and shaft have been prepared you are ready to install the shaft. Use a two pack epoxy and apply it to the inside of the hosel, making sure to coat the entire surface. Next, apply the epoxy to the tip of the shaft. Slowly push the shaft into the hosel, being sure to turn the shaft at the same time. Use a cloth and some mineral spirit to clean any epoxy residue from the hosel area. If installing a graphite shaft, line up the shaft graphics to suit. Carefully place the shaft against the wall for the epoxy to fully cure.
Step 6 - Filing the Ferrule
The new plastic ferrule will require filing down to fit flush with the hosel. This can be done by either fine sand paper or a sanding belt. Wrap some masking tape around the shaft just above the ferrule and on the hosel so not to scratch or cause damage while filing down the ferrule. Cut a long strip of sand paper the same width as the ferrule. Put the shaft into the vice and rubber shaft holder and wrap the sand paper around the ferrule. Using a pull/push motion, lightl sand down the ferrule while turning the club head until the ferrule flush with the hosel. To obtain a sheen on the ferrule, use a piece of folded flat paper towel dipped in acetone and lightly wipe the ferrule until a sheen appears. Leave to dry for a few minutes.
Step 7 - Trimming and Adding the Grip
Cut the club to the desired length from the butt end, use a fine-blade hack saw or cutting wheel. A pipe cutter can be used on steel shafts but not on graphite as this will damage the fibers of the graphite. The club length measurment is made from the heel of the club to the butt. Once the club is at the correct length, all that is required is to fit the grip.
The new plastic ferrule will require filing down to fit flush with the hosel. This can be done by either fine sand paper or a sanding belt. Wrap some masking tape around the shaft just above the ferrule and on the hosel so not to scratch or cause damage while filing down the ferrule. Cut a long strip of sand paper the same width as the ferrule. Put the shaft into the vice and rubber shaft holder and wrap the sand paper around the ferrule. Using a pull/push motion, lightl sand down the ferrule while turning the club head until the ferrule flush with the hosel. To obtain a sheen on the ferrule, use a piece of folded flat paper towel dipped in acetone and lightly wipe the ferrule until a sheen appears. Leave to dry for a few minutes.
Step 7 - Trimming and Adding the Grip
Cut the club to the desired length from the butt end, use a fine-blade hack saw or cutting wheel. A pipe cutter can be used on steel shafts but not on graphite as this will damage the fibers of the graphite. The club length measurment is made from the heel of the club to the butt. Once the club is at the correct length, all that is required is to fit the grip.
