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Affordable Lie/Loft machine


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I'm looking for an iron bending machine which is more affordable.  Around $300 or more.  I just use it for occassional bending.   As long as the vise clamped the head securely, it will be good enough.  Will put it on a work bench.   Any recommendations?

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GolfSmith is going to be your best bet. I almost ordered from there but they were all back ordered when I last looked. I ended up searching out a Mitchell and got it for $100 more including shipping (I was looking at the GS Professional). GolfMechanix makes their machines but they're cheaper through Gs than the manufacturer, especially if you search out a discount code. Only piece of advice I have is to spend the extra $150 or so on the adjustable bending bar. It's a must for bending without marring hosels.

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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GolfSmith is going to be your best bet. I almost ordered from there but they were all back ordered when I last looked. I ended up searching out a Mitchell and got it for $100 more including shipping (I was looking at the GS Professional). GolfMechanix makes their machines but they're cheaper through Gs than the manufacturer, especially if you search out a discount code. Only piece of advice I have is to spend the extra $150 or so on the adjustable bending bar. It's a must for bending without marring hosels.

 

What do I need to know when buying a bending bar?

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 Only piece of advice I have is to spend the extra $150 or so on the adjustable bending bar. It's a must for bending without marring hosels.

Definitely get a decent bending bar.  I have a Mitchell machine but use this Golfsmith bar: http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30029125/golfsmith-high-strength-bending-bar

 

Minimal to no marring if you always keep the hosel between the flat notches on the brass.

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I have one that is an older design than what they sell now. It's ok. The head usually moves when adjusting in the lie direction, so you have to carefully make sure it's set right before measuring it again. It would be a pain if you were trying to use it in a shop setting. For the occasional use in my garage, I can put up with that. The measurements are very repeatable as long as you make sure it's clamped in with the grooves level.

 

That said, the new version of it looks like it has some adjustable brass cones that will cradle the sole of the club better. It looks like it would be more stable than mine.

 

The bending bar BK linked is the same one I use. Very good bar. Doesn't leave marks as long as you're careful to use the right notches and have them set against the hosel properly.

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What do I need to know when buying a bending bar?

Adjustable is a plus but the jaw material and design is paramount. You want the jaws to be coned at the top so there's no sharp edges to mar the hosels.

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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Absolutely agree with RookieBlue7 when it comes to bending bars. As far as I'm concerned, there's Mitchell and that's it. The old adage you get what you pay for is certainly true. 

The same also applies with bending machines to be honest - Mitchell is the way to go if you can afford it, but MR3 True Blues can be had for around $500 used. 

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Absolutely agree with RookieBlue7 when it comes to bending bars. As far as I'm concerned, there's Mitchell and that's it. The old adage you get what you pay for is certainly true.

The same also applies with bending machines to be honest - Mitchell is the way to go if you can afford it, but MR3 True Blues can be had for around $500 used.

Good luck finding either used right now. End of this month should be a little easier as that's when contracts are up and new machines are being brought in and old ones taken out. Ed Mitchell told me that last month when I was in the market, end of this month he should have them. If you're wanting a used Mitchell, give Ed at Mitchell Golf a call and give him your contact info. He will call you when he gets one back to sell as preowned

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Adjustable is a plus but the jaw material and design is paramount. You want the jaws to be coned at the top so there's no sharp edges to mar the hosels.

 

Can you give an example of bending bar with a coned top?  A link perhaps....

 

Thanks! 

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I'm not sure which one Rookie is referring to. But that Goldsmith one BK linked has brass bushings with two different size notches machined in to fit different diameter hosels.

 

I never used the smaller size. Those bushings spin freely on their mounts. When you use it, you just need to be careful that you have the right notch flat against the hosel. I've never had it leave a mark, even on the softest forged clubs I've adjusted. As long as you're careful to have it seated correctly, you won't have a problem. It's very rigid too, so it won't flex or bend on you while using it.

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Go to MitchellGolf's site and look at their adjustable bar. It's like what I'm talking about. The Golfsmith one is a good secondary option

In The Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M2 (2017) w/ Project X T1100 HZRDUS Handcrafted 65x 
Strong 3 wood: Taylormade M1 15* w/ ProjectX T1100 HZRDUS handcrafted 75x
3 Hybrid: Adams PRO 18* w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4 Hybrid: Adams PRO 20* (bent to 21*) w/ KBS Tour Hybrid S flex tipped 1/2"
4-AW: TaylorMade P770 w/ Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Black Onyx S400

SW: 56* Scratch Tour Dept(CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
LW: 60* Scratch Tour Department (CC grooves) w/ Dynamic Gold Spinner
XW: 64* Cally XForged Vintage w/ DG X100 8 iron tiger stepped
Putter: Nike Method Prototype 006 at 34"

Have a ton of back-ups in all categories, but there are always 14 clubs in the bag that differ depending on the course and set-up. Bomb and gouge. Yes, I'm a club gigolo.

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