Lengthened clubs that need further lengthening

[motorcaster]

I have a set of wilson staff forged irons than are one inch long. I am certain that I want to lengthen them an extra inch so that I have a total of two inches. They are steel shafts. Does anyone know if a shaft will be damaged by heating up the area around the extension with a propane torch and getting the epoxy in the original extensions to release so I can pull them and put in two inch plugs?. How hot should the torch be and how long should the heat be rotated around the shaft.

Thanks

Carl Patterson

[LowPost42]

Re: Lengthened clubs that need further lengthening

Carl, I think you want at least another 34 inches on your pitching wedge - a 2 inch pitching wedge is kinda small. LOL

I know, I know - you mean you have 1" extensions and want to go with a 2" extension.

For me, a 2" extension is bordering on a reshaft. Stronger players can (and often do) break a 2" extension, in my shop the most I'm comfortable doing is a 1.5" extension. I'll do more, but the client is advised that the extension breaking is not warrantied work over 1.5".

You'll have to heat the shaft a long, long time to damage it, my friend. You have to take care with graphite, but with steel it's pretty much a free-for-all. Nothing will be hurt (except your hands if you forget to wear good gloves!)

I use a standard plumbers propane torch. Put the tip of the cone on the shaft, keep the heat moving, and you'll be fine.

When you put your new extensions in, make sure to prep both the inside of the shaft and the outside of the extension, and ensure that you let your clubs dry head-up/extension-down. This way if the epoxy runs a little, it runs towards the end of the shaft (and doesn't become a rattle, later).

Have at 'er!