DIY: Regripping with an Air Compressor

[Addicted2Golf 9]

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.

 

You know, after watching the video that MGS posted and looking at your pics again, the process looks pretty straight forward as long as you have the right equipment. And that has been asked and answered in this thread.

 

I might just go ahead and skip to this method after all. I like not having to mess with the solvent. The less chemicals around, the better.

[Addicted2Golf 9]

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

 

Thanks for the info. Another great video on the process on the Star Grip website:

 

Star Grip Accessories

 

Good info too on the compressor that you'd want to purchase for this:

 

2-3 horsepower unit on an 8-10 gallon tank

[jamo 16]

Can you remove a grip with an air compressor too, that is, with out cutting it off?

[Addicted2Golf 9]

Can you remove a grip with an air compressor too, that is, with out cutting it off?

 

The video I posted shows that. And some of the previous posts discuss it also. Read the thread.

[Shambles 4]

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.

 

Regripping with an air compressor makes sense only if you are doing a lot of grips regularly or are into a gadget frame of mind. I use the old technique because I hardly ever change my grips myself. I normally take them to a club pro who also uses the same technique.

 

I find this method, or a blower, necessary whenever a grip needs to be saved regardless the grip was glued on or just put on, tape or whatever. If a grip was installed properly you're just not going to get it off intact without one or the other technique except where you cut and tear the grip off.

 

Shambles

[Matt Saternus 31]

Regripping with an air compressor makes sense only if you are doing a lot of grips regularly or are into a gadget frame of mind. I use the old technique because I hardly ever change my grips myself. I normally take them to a club pro who also uses the same technique.

 

I think regripping with air makes a ton of sense if you already have a compressor. Cheaper than the traditional method, since all you need is the tool and it'll last for a long long time (I hope).

[Popeye 1]

OK so now I can pull into the gas station, fill up the car, and regrip my driver all at the same time !

[cheymike 2]

I'm also a new convert to regripping with air. I got an air tool and a grip from "Pure" to try out. I was definitely impressed! It couldn't have been any easier. For those who still wonder if its secure on there, I have tried to twist or pull that grip with everything I've got. I can't even make it ACT like it wants to move. But then, shoot the air to it again and it can be twisted, moved, removed, etc, as slick as if it had tape and wet solvent under it. I've used it on the range a half dozen times, and played about a half dozen rounds with it now and it hasn't budged a bit. For those wondering.. its on a 5 iron, steel shaft.

[Matt Saternus 31]

I'll update too:

 

I've been playing the clubs that I regripped with air for 3 months now and there hasn't been a hint of a problem.

 

Side note: the PURE grips that came on my Scratch wedges are quite nice. The only problem is, the grip they make for Scratch doesn't seem to be available to buy (or at least it's not clear to me which one it is on their website).

[mudfish 55]

So I just tried this with my putter... I used my air compressor, a small tip I already had, lighter fluid and masking tape...

 

I installed a red Golf Pride Dual Durometer that I got for free last year online on the Never Compromise putter I won in the MGS contest...

 

 

Total cost to me... FREE...

 

This literally took 3 minutes, and I can't wait to get out and play it...

[cheymike 2]

Yep.. that's one of the benefits. Ya don't have to let it dry!

[indacup 0]

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.

 

Actually, it would be almost impossible to have a grip explode during air install...the protective tube is used when REMOVING a grip with air....because THATS when it is most likely for a grip to explode.

 

Remember, gripping tape is NOT meant to increase grip stability, but it assist the grip to slide on easier during install. With Air, tape is unnecessary unless for fitting purposes.

[zeched 0]

#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.

[zeched 0]

You can also remove and 'save' your old grip using the air compressor. Use your tool to keep the old grip from exploding and blow air into the hole in the end of grip. I don't have a compressor but there is a little shop in town I take a club to when I want to 'save' the grip. He uses this technique.

[RookieBlue7 1,677]

Actually, it would be almost impossible to have a grip explode during air install...the protective tube is used when REMOVING a grip with air....because THATS when it is most likely for a grip to explode.

 

Remember, gripping tape is NOT meant to increase grip stability, but it assist the grip to slide on easier during install. With Air, tape is unnecessary unless for fitting purposes.

 

 

There are a few grips out there by certain manufacturers that I've seen that you actually do have to use a layer of masking tape on because they're not exactly .580 or .600. Those grips always slip a little unless you put one layer of tape. Don't know why, but they do. Might be a QC problem, who knows. But there are grips that need a layer of tape.

 

Oh, and for those of you interested in using compressed air, Pure is doing nothing new. I've been blowing grips on for years, as have a bunch of other people. Instead of going and paying out the butt for a "air grip install gun" that they sell, do yourself a favor and visit a local hardware store or harbor freight.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-blow-gun-with-4-inch-nozzle-42939.html

 

That's what you need. If you want the sleeve for protection (I never use the one I made, and I've exploded grips before. It doesn't hurt long.)get a scrap piece of 1" PVC with a cap and drill a hole in the end of it to accommodate the threads. Then take a countersinking bit and chamfer the edges just a bit. Put the blow gun nozzle's threads through the cap and tighten it. Then all you do to use the sleeve is to slip it over the grip, put the nozzle through down to the base where the cap it, and slide the PVC in place. You'll want about 10 inches of PVC so it covers the whole grip.

[ronniemac 0]

I am so sorry. I just posted the same thing. I have been doing this a very long time and as you know it only takes a few seconds. The difference is I use a little needle inflator to go in the grip end.

[ronniemac 0]

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 used this method many times on Winn Lite grips on graphite shafted drivers. The grips hold just as well on graphite or steel because both are installed over the masking tape.