Basic Clubbuilding question...

[BigJim13]

Have been pulling a few shafts lately and have run into shaft plugs. These, IMHO, are the worst part of pulling shafts. I seem to have a real B@#%h of a time getting them out. I seem to do best at them when I use a really small drill bit, but am afraid I may damage the shaft. So, any suggestions as to what way works best to get these out? Thanks!

 

[MGP]

Shaft plugs?

You mean tip weights? Or hosel plugs?

When I have a tip weight stick in a hosel I usually just heat the head so the remaining epoxy gets soft and then pull the plug out whole with a pair of needle nose pliers. I haven't had to drill one out yet.

Tip weights stuck in the shaft usually will usually pull outwith pliers right after the shaft is pulled and the epoxy is still soft.

The first hybrid shaft I pulled (one of my first shaft pulls ever) had a tip weight stuck in the hosel. Had me scratching my head for a while as I didn't want to drill it out... finally tried the needle nose pliers and it worked great.

 

[BigJim13]

Sorry, I guess I should have been clearer. I'm talking about the plugs that, I guess, are to help weight the head. In this case it's a plastic plug and it is stuck firmly in the tip of the shat. Is it safe to reheat the tip of the shaft a bit to try to pull that sucker out? I have a feeling if I pull the tip of this plug off than I am never going to get it out of the tip of the shaft!

 

[dave.]

you mean steel shafts? You must bhe letting the epoxy cool, as MGP says they should just come out with small pliers. If they are in the shaft they still should be loose unless you have let them cool down

 

[BigJim13]

you mean steel shafts? You must bhe letting the epoxy cool, as MGP says they should just come out with small pliers. If they are in the shaft they still should be loose unless you have let them cool down

No, Graphite. And yes they cooled down. I, for some reason, wasn't paying attention after I pulled the shaft and then later noticed the plug was stuck in the tip. I don't really want to reheat the tip, but I guess I could just enough to get the plug out.

 

[indacup]

Are you talking about metal plugs in the graphite shafts? Like these?

 

[FATC1TY]

I have those in my irons... They fall out like hell if your not paying attention when you pull the shafts..

 

[BigJim13]

Are you talking about metal plugs in the graphite shafts? Like these?

I wish it were those, those are easy to get out. The one I am finding most is a plastic tip. I'm going to see if I can find one on Golfworks or Golfsmith and post a link.

 

[Augster]

BigJim, I know what you are talking about. I know the Hogan Hybrids had something like that. Nike drivers also. They are a PITA.

I have used a drill or a ramrod. I try the rod first. If that doesn't work, I drill with the smallest bit I can find then ramrod again. A lot of time the twisting bit will twist the piece out with it.

Good luck.

 

[FATC1TY]

Try some punches.. I have used those before, and they work well for even getting epoxy out of the tip of the shafts when you pull them and stuff.

 

[mddubya]

In true Shot Talk tradition I'm going to hijack your thread for a bit Jim. Has anyone tried using a heat gun instead of a propane torch to heat and pull shafts with?

I'm not real comfortable putting a open flame on a club I paid hundreds of dollars for.

 

[Rockford35]

In true Shot Talk tradition I'm going to hijack your thread for a bit Jim. Has anyone tried using a heat gun instead of a propane torch to heat and pull shafts with?

I'm not real comfortable putting a open flame on a club I paid hundreds of dollars for.

I only use a heat gun, never the torch. Works like a charm and no colour change or paint issues after the fact to deal with. I bought a gun that has specific tips that install on it for better heat focus.

R35

 

[BigJim13]

I only use a heat gun, never the torch. Works like a charm and no colour change or paint issues after the fact to deal with. I bought a gun that has specific tips that install on it for better heat focus.

R35

I don't like using a heat gun. I don't feel like it heats fast enough or pointed enough. I also DON"T use a propane torch on a graphite shafted clubs. I use a butane pen torch that I got a HD for about $12. The propane torch gets the hosel on a driver/fw to hot and you risk overheating the tip of the shaft. The only time I use a propane torch is on irons with steel shafts.

 

[LyleG]

drill em out.

 

[indacup]

We use a torch on everything but light color heads or anything w/ insert......then, a heat gun