DIY: Regripping with an Air Compressor

[Matt Saternus]

As I promised, here is a DIY thread on how to regrip your clubs using an air compressor instead of the traditional double-sided tape and solvent method. Since I am not terribly savvy with inserting pictures, I will just do this as a series of posts and describe each picture and what I'm doing.

 

I'll start with the equipment needed:

 

Air compressors

New grips

Masking tape

Utility knife

Air compressor grip tool

 

Suggested equipment:

 

Vice w/rubber shaft holder

Solvent

 

First, you will need a vice and a little rubber piece that holds the shaft without damaging it. These should be pretty easy to find at any golf store with clubmaking equipment. In truth, you probably don't NEED a vice, but it sure makes life easier. Put the shaft into the rubber holder and clamp it into the vice.

[Matt Saternus]

Next, cut off the old grip. This will require some force. Safety tip: always point the blade AWAY from you. It is likely that while trying to cut down the length of the grip, the blade will pop lose. This is annoying, but it will be annoying and painful if the knife pops out and comes towards you. Pull off the old grip.

[Matt Saternus]

Step #3: Cut off all that sticky, messy grip tape. I will not miss grip tape, not one bit.

[Matt Saternus]

#4: Use regular, one sided masking tape to build up the grip to your desired size. For me, one wrap is peachy. Make sure that you clog up the hole at the top of the shaft with the excess tape.

[Matt Saternus]

#5: This is optional, but I've learned that solvent is always your friend.

 

Put some solvent in a cup . Dunk the end of the shaft into the solvent, and do the same with the end of the grip.

[Matt Saternus]

#6: Attach your grip tool to your air compressor. Set your output regulator to 50 psi. Slip the tip of the grip onto the shaft, START PUSHING THE GRIP FORWARD, then give it the gas. I capitalized that section about pushing the grip forward because if you are not holding the grip in place, the air pressure will blow the grip right back in your face. Then your wife, who is taking pictures of this, will laugh at you.

 

***Not pictured: my tool came with a sleeve that you can put around the grip when you are giving it air pressure. If the grip were to explode during installation, the sleeve would prevent the grip shrapnel from hitting you in the face. It's probably a good idea to use this instead of just throwing it in a drawer.

 

Once it's all the way on, you can use bursts of air to change the alignment.

 

COMPLETE! You now have a club that is gripped and ready to be swung. No more sticky grip tape, no more gallons of solvent, no waiting for the grip to dry.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Excellent. Outside of the solvent in a kegger cup it looks safe and easy.

Do you need the solvent just to provide a little lubrication at the start?

Have you looked into the hooked grip knife rather than the utility knife?

[Matt Saternus]

Excellent. Outside of the solvent in a kegger cup it looks safe and easy.

Do you need the solvent just to provide a little lubrication at the start?

Have you looked into the hooked grip knife rather than the utility knife?

 

Hey hey hey, there are many uses for red solo cups besides keggers, beer pong, and shop applications. I just don't know any.

 

The solvent just makes everything work a little easier. You could just rely on the air to get the grip started, but the solvent make it easier.

 

I know that there are knives out there for removing grips and cutting off tape that would make life simpler, but like Alton Brown, I hate uni-taskers. Good Eats...anyone...anyone?

[jamo]

I know that there are knives out there for removing grips and cutting off tape that would make life simpler, but like Alton Brown, I hate uni-taskers. Good Eats...anyone...anyone?

 

Do you still keep a fire extinguisher? That is his only uni-tasker.

 

Like Sactown said, at first I thought you were going to chug the solvent, it's probably better you didn't.

 

It looks great though. Since you didn't use double sided tape, what keeps the grips stuck to the shaft?

[Matt Saternus]

Do you still keep a fire extinguisher? That is his only uni-tasker.

 

Like Sactown said, at first I thought you were going to chug the solvent, it's probably better you didn't.

 

It looks great though. Since you didn't use double sided tape, what keeps the grips stuck to the shaft?

 

Fire extinguisher is just inside the door for workshop meltdowns.

 

I actually had the same thought about the grips not sticking this morning while I was teaching. Then I remembered that I tried to to adjust the grips without using the air and they wouldn't budge. I guess it's just good old friction.

[GolfSpy_X]

Here is another video with a similar install:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5oh4PNmAMs

[GolfSpy Dave]

Say someone may occasionally hits fat...

Do you think that the air only adhesion will be enough to prevent grip slippage?

[GolfSpy_X]

I know quite a few club makers that use the tapeless system and have little to no problem with slippage. Although some people do prefer to have their grips built up in different manners.

 

Say someone may occasionally hits fat...

Do you think that the air only adhesion will be enough to prevent grip slippage?

[mainuh]

First of all I want to congratulate MSaternus for providing some excellent pictures that help explain this method of changing grips.

 

Now that I said that...

 

I own all the tools necessary to install with air (I am a carpenter) but still go at it the old fashioned way.

Now maybe I am not as dexterous as most however it always takes me more than a few seconds to properly align the grip. That I would have to keep shooting air into the grip to get the seam straight and whatever alignment mark is on the grip to be where I want it seems like too much work. As long as the solvent is still wet I am able to make the adjustments quickly and accuratley.

 

rob

 

ps - MGS - you posted:I know quite a few club makers that use the tapeless system and have little to no problem with slippage. Although some people do prefer to have their grips built up in different manners.

 

Little to me seems that there is at least one problem. As a clubmaker if I could not be 100% confident that the grip that I installed was not going to slip I would not do it.

In my 10 years of installing grips with fresh tape and solvent I have never,ever had a problem of a grip slipping/twisting.

In fact the only instance I can think of turned out to be a bad epoxy on a head and it was mistaken for a loose grip.

rbm

[MmmmmmBuddy]

I still prefer the tape and solvent method... sorry. I had a pro once who taught me to use rubber cement and masking tape. Worked like a charm. Took forever to dry though.

[Matt Saternus]

I still prefer the tape and solvent method... sorry. I had a pro once who taught me to use rubber cement and masking tape. Worked like a charm. Took forever to dry though.

 

Rubber cement and masking tape, really? Was he that concerned about the grip flying off?

 

FWIW, I pulled out the clubs that I regripped yesterday and swung them, pulled at them, did everything I could to move the grip and...nothing. If anyone wants a solvent tray w/mounting hardware and tubes for reclaiming the used solvent, let me know. I can tell you for sure that I will never be using solvent & grip tape again.

[Addicted2Golf]

First off, thanks for posting the step by step. I think its an interesting alternative method. I need to go the more traditional route first since I'm a newbie, but I'm going to bookmark this post for future reference.

 

Tell the Mrs. she took great pics. Nice assist from her. Oh, and I would have laughed at you too.

[Addicted2Golf]

I know quite a few club makers that use the tapeless system and have little to no problem with slippage. Although some people do prefer to have their grips built up in different manners.

 

I believe what you say, but the last thing I want to be worrying about are my grips. So, you kind of lost me at "litte to...".

 

Plus I do have my grips built up. I like to get regular grips and do two extra wraps of tape to put them between a regular and a mid sized. Through experimentation, that is the perfect grip size for me.

[jamo]

Rubber cement and masking tape, really? Was he that concerned about the grip flying off?

 

FWIW, I pulled out the clubs that I regripped yesterday and swung them, pulled at them, did everything I could to move the grip and...nothing. If anyone wants a solvent tray w/mounting hardware and tubes for reclaiming the used solvent, let me know. I can tell you for sure that I will never be using solvent & grip tape again.

 

So what holds them on? Was is the grip being stretched or something?

[mainuh]

So what holds them on? Was is the grip being stretched or something?

 

Jamo, all grips are slightly undersize to the shafts butts. The "rubber" of the underlisting grips the barrel so tightly that it doesn't want to move.

 

There is something to be said about this method especially if you're of a "Green Mindset" and its probably healthier than breathing in the solvents. As you read from my previous post I'm not 100% sold on this method but it certainly has its advocates.

 

rob