DIY: Regripping with an Air Compressor

[Addicted2Golf]

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

 

I would think the grips would tend to slip around more on steel than graphite.

 

I guess what I don't get about the green movement is nobody would mess with solvents and tape if it really wasn't required. So what am I missing?

[Matt Saternus]

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.

 

Thanks, she's a good sport about nonsense like this.

 

If you want some grip replacement equipment for the "old" method, just swing by my house. Shoot me a PM if you want.

 

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.

 

You can still build up the grips, you just use plain masking tape instead of grip tape.

 

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

 

 

The environmental point is a good one, hadn't even thought of it. I just like it because it's faster and I won't have to deal with cutting off grip tape when I remove the grips.

[jamo]

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

 

Thanks for the description. I've never done it myself, so sorry if I am a asking too many questions. I'm done though, no more questions.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

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

 

 

Rubber Cement was alot easier to clean up than solvent, and you could still line up the grip when it was wet.

 

Question. Does this compressor technique work on Winn Grips?? I wonder if they might split??

[Matt Saternus]

Rubber Cement was alot easier to clean up than solvent, and you could still line up the grip when it was wet.

 

Question. Does this compressor technique work on Winn Grips?? I wonder if they might split??

 

I have only done this with GPTV's, so I don't know. Is there a particular reason why you think Winns would split?

[Addicted2Golf]

 

If you want some grip replacement equipment for the "old" method, just swing by my house. Shoot me a PM if you want.

 

Thanks Matt. I think I might take you up on that. I'm getting tired of paying "the man" for re-grips.

[Shambles]

Say someone may occasionally hits fat...

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

 

We have club pros here who don't use tape and use plain water to fit the grip. When the water dries, the grips are solid. THEY ONLY DO THIS WITH NEW GRIPS. Some of my clubs were re-gripped this way and I used them until the grips wore out, i.e., kept getting too dirty too quickly. If a gip is re-used, it's necessary to use at least one layer of tape and contact cement.

 

 

Shambles

[Matt Saternus]

Quick update for this worried about the grip not staying put: after 4 rounds and lots of range balls with every club in the bag, there have been absolutely zero problems with these grips staying put.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

I have only done this with GPTV's, so I don't know. Is there a particular reason why you think Winns would split?

Winn grips have that underlisting that is very still, and susceptible to splitting.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Winn grips have that underlisting that is very still, and susceptible to splitting.

By still you mean rigid? One thing I read too about using air is that a grip with an imperfection may grow a bubble at the site of weakness. Maybe this is best left to quality grips.

[mainuh]

Thanks for the description. I've never done it myself, so sorry if I am a asking too many questions. I'm done though, no more questions.

 

Jamo - never, ever apologize for asking too many questions. How the hell do you think any one of us learned anything about our hobbies, our jobs without asking questions.

 

Hey, what I know would fill a thimble when it comes to clubmaking, but I'll tell you what - I do maintain some good friendships with people who put up with my same "stoopid" questions, only way to learn...

 

rob

[Matt Saternus]

By still you mean rigid? One thing I read too about using air is that a grip with an imperfection may grow a bubble at the site of weakness. Maybe this is best left to quality grips.

 

Yeah, I think I mentioned that a sleeve is included for safety, you're supposed to slide it over the grip in case it explodes. I didn't see any bubbles or stretches or anything, and I don't plan on using anything but Iomic putter grips and GPTVs.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Yeah, I think I mentioned that a sleeve is included for safety, you're supposed to slide it over the grip in case it explodes. I didn't see any bubbles or stretches or anything, and I don't plan on using anything but Iomic putter grips and GPTVs.

Too bad, I had hoped for a Myth Busters type episode from the shop.

Wife would love that.

[Matt Saternus]

Too bad, I had hoped for a Myth Busters type episode from the shop.

Wife would love that.

 

I would be ok even in the event of an explosion sans sleeve because I learned from Norm: "And don't forget to always where these...(points to glasses)...safety glasses."

[z-man]

Over the years I have sold about 300+ of the Star Grip Air Nozzle. The tool works great. Its also very handy at taking off grips. Great job Matt

[PoorGolfer]

Great thread and pictures Msaternus.

I heard that you can take off grips without having to cut through them with a blade using an air compressor. Is that true? If it is, that could be easier and you would conserve the old grips. Sometimes you just want to regrip the clubs with specific grips that you like and have to sacrifice the original grips, that are new in that case.

[chappy]

I have changed countless grips over the last few years.

 

The very first time, I bought regripping kit that consisted of a sray bottle of solvent, the rubber shaft clamp and some double sided grip tape. Was very easy, but what a pain in the backside changing them over after that.

 

I then ordered a regripper compressor tool from the Bay and ditched the double sided tape. Like others have mentioned I build up under the grip with at least 1 layer of 2 inch masking tape and add more for those who desire a thicker grip. Blowing these suckers off and on is incredibly simple.

 

I have never had a problem with grips slipping and the clubs can be used within a very short space of time, which is effectively the time you wait for the solvent to dry.

 

I can't for the life of me undertand why anyone would still use grip cement, having said that, the pros and the club I'm a member at still use grip cement? Why oh why.

 

Chappy

[Matt Saternus]

I have changed countless grips over the last few years.

 

The very first time, I bought regripping kit that consisted of a sray bottle of solvent, the rubber shaft clamp and some double sided grip tape. Was very easy, but what a pain in the backside changing them over after that.

 

I then ordered a regripper compressor tool from the Bay and ditched the double sided tape. Like others have mentioned I build up under the grip with at least 1 layer of 2 inch masking tape and add more for those who desire a thicker grip. Blowing these suckers off and on is incredibly simple.

 

I have never had a problem with grips slipping and the clubs can be used within a very short space of time, which is effectively the time you wait for the solvent to dry.

 

I can't for the life of me undertand why anyone would still use grip cement, having said that, the pros and the club I'm a member at still use grip cement? Why oh why.

 

Chappy

 

Welcome to MGS, and thanks for sharing your experience with this. I'm definitely a convert after just 1 time, so much neater, quicker, and easier than tape and solvent.

[Shambles]

Great thread and pictures Msaternus.

I heard that you can take off grips without having to cut through them with a blade using an air compressor. Is that true? If it is, that could be easier and you would conserve the old grips. Sometimes you just want to regrip the clubs with specific grips that you like and have to sacrifice the original grips, that are new in that case.

 

I use the biggest hypodermic I can find with as thick a needle as possible to try to save old grips. I just inject some kerosene or gasoline near the butt end, about a hand width from the butt, make a bubble and work the bubble up, down and around until the gas or kerosene flows out onto the shaft. You need to get the needle against the metal and inject carefully to avoid a mess. The bigger the hypo, the easier to inject. Once the gas or kerosene gets out onto the shaft, the grip comes off easily. It's a lot easier if there are two of you or you have a bench vise. An old rag kept handy can save you from a mess too. It doesn't take long to figure out how big a bubble to make.

 

Grips that are moved from one club to another come out a bit bigger and will likely need a layer or two more tape or need to be stretched on the shaft to maintain a reasonably firm feel for the player.

 

 

Shambles

[Matt Saternus]

I use the biggest hypodermic I can find with as thick a needle as possible to try to save old grips. I just inject some kerosene or gasoline near the butt end, about a hand width from the butt, make a bubble and work the bubble up, down and around until the gas or kerosene flows out onto the shaft. You need to get the needle against the metal and inject carefully to avoid a mess. The bigger the hypo, the easier to inject. Once the gas or kerosene gets out onto the shaft, the grip comes off easily. It's a lot easier if there are two of you or you have a bench vise. An old rag kept handy can save you from a mess too. It doesn't take long to figure out how big a bubble to make.

 

Grips that are moved from one club to another come out a bit bigger and will likely need a layer or two more tape or need to be stretched on the shaft to maintain a reasonably firm feel for the player.

 

 

Shambles

 

Thanks for the info. Am I correct in assuming that this method is only necessary for pulling a grip that was installed with grip tape and solvent? I would think that a blown-on grip would just blow off.