Help - blowing on grips

[Steve698]

Hi
Been experimenting recently with blowing grips on and off with air compressor, generally find it much better than the solvent route but one problem I am having is the last inch of the grip just doesn't want to go on. Anyone here use this method that may be able to help with this problem ?

 

[the_coach]

always works best if the core grip size is little ways smaller than the butt end size of the shaft
that said there are a few kind of grips that air doesn't work well with

what kind of tape are you using?
do you use any solvent at all?
is the compressor capable of 80psi?

are you trying to use the air in short bursts to put the grip on?

where do you take hold the grip when you are putting it on?

 

[Bobirdie]

I do all my grips with the compressor and have never had this problem.
My compressor is 150psi though so maybe thats why.

Do you still solvent the inside of grip and tape???

 

[the_coach]

Hi
Been experimenting recently with blowing grips on and off with air compressor, generally find it much better than the solvent route but one problem I am having is the last inch of the grip just doesn't want to go on. Anyone here use this method that may be able to help with this problem ?

ways that should make it easier - assuming the steel shaft is clean of any old tape etc.

roll of 2" masking tape (not double-sided) tape just makes it easier as rubber grip will have a tendency to snag on just the steel - plus you may need to 'build up' the grip thickness with more than one wrap layer)
grip solvent + small dish
nozzle for compressor gun
vice - rubber vice guard
black sharpie (assuming old grip was on aligned good just put small center mark on shaft to work to for new grip)

club shaft in vice guard
put small amount of solvent is dish

measure grip length of 2" masking tape (have it around an inch longer) put it on steel wrap the inch over at the butt end to form seal just push this inside shaft end) use 2" all you have to do is fold it over rather than trying to spiral 1/4" tape

dip tip of grip in solvent - just starts to slide over diameter of shaft a ways easier

have compressor around 60-70 psi (shouldn't need it any higher)
place nozzle in & apply a constant stream of air (only use short bursts of air if taking a grip off) - real important you just push from the butt end of the grip - don't hold the body of the grip anyplace as that stops the airflow around the shaft where you hand is)

center of grip to black sharpie mark - it should then just go all the ways on just keep the air flow constant

don't worry if the grip not lined up exactly right first off - just apply airflow again to then twist the grip to correct alignment but only do this once the grip is all the ways on
don't try to twist the grip to proper alignment while still trying to push it on all the ways down as that will stop it going down to the end

{if you using air to take old grips off first inject some solvent into butt end of grip - would always advise using a protector sleeve over the grip as with the higher pressure even in bursts can sometimes just shatter, explode an old brittle grip & damage the hand}

 

[chellie]

I wondered what this thread was going to be about

 

[Steve698]

I use basic masking tape, has worked well for me no slippage and grip seems to glide over well.
I do use a small amount of solvent on the first 1/2 inch of the grip.
The compressor throws out 100 psi so more than enough to blow a grip on.
I always use short bursts of air and never hold the grip on the shaft or out of line.
As I say the grip flies on really easy up until that last inch then it just seems to want to back off. I use a stepped nozzle that goes into the grip about 10mm. Only thing I can think of is I always make sure to leave an inch of tape overhang at the butt end that I twist and turn into the shaft end, it seems when the nozzle gets to this tape it restricts the air flow and grip stops moving. Although with that in mind I have tried just pushing the nozzle onto the grip ( not inserting ) but have had the same problem.

Also related to this in a way is the size of grip - I use jumbo grips on ping clubs the shafts on all my clubs .60 andthe grips also only seem to be supplied as .60 I also tend to use 4 layers of tape. Seen it said that a .60 shaft should have a .58 grip - is that so ?

 

[bobmac]

Why not just use double sided tape and white spirit and slide it on ?

 

[the_coach]

I use basic masking tape, has worked well for me no slippage and grip seems to glide over well.
I do use a small amount of solvent on the first 1/2 inch of the grip.
The compressor throws out 100 psi so more than enough to blow a grip on.
I always use short bursts of air and never hold the grip on the shaft or out of line.
As I say the grip flies on really easy up until that last inch then it just seems to want to back off. I use a stepped nozzle that goes into the grip about 10mm. Only thing I can think of is I always make sure to leave an inch of tape overhang at the butt end that I twist and turn into the shaft end, it seems when the nozzle gets to this tape it restricts the air flow and grip stops moving. Although with that in mind I have tried just pushing the nozzle onto the grip ( not inserting ) but have had the same problem.

Also related to this in a way is the size of grip - I use jumbo grips on ping clubs the shafts on all my clubs .60 andthe grips also only seem to be supplied as .60 I also tend to use 4 layers of tape. Seen it said that a .60 shaft should have a .58 grip - is that so ?

if grip core is smaller so yep 580 to 600 shaft it's little ways easier - have never used 'jumbo' grips

firm cord grips tend to be a little ways harder to put on with air as are some of the lightweight grips

important though as said before if you putting on grips use a constant air flow, and not bursts, & it just goes straight on to the grip end
if you twist together the tape overhang then push down the shaft it shouldn't interfere

 

[Baldy Bouncer]

Much easier to get the Asst Pro to do it at the club.:thup:

 

[the_coach]

would guess if you lower the pressure to 55 - 60 psi at a constant air flow they should go on fine maybes you just have too much pressure going in but bursts of air won't help either

unless for some reason 'jumbo's' cannot be 'aired' on

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Why not just use double sided tape and white spirit and slide it on ?

This. Surely the orthodox and simpler method

 

[nickjdavis]

This. Surely the orthodox and simpler method

Because blowing grips on with air allows you to experiment with different grips without the aggravation of trying to remove them.... its a damned sight easier to remove grips that have been installed with air.

Note that a compressor is nigh on useless at removing a grip that has been installed in the traditional manner

 

[3565]

Because blowing grips on with air allows you to experiment with different grips without the aggravation of trying to remove them.... its a damned sight easier to remove grips that have been installed with air.

Note that a compressor is nigh on useless at removing a grip that has been installed in the traditional manner

If your a club fitter then using compressed air would be beneficial to not only himself but his customer. He can put a grip on the club, let the customer try it for feel and thickness and remove and adjust thickness or type of grip. But like the coach said you can't use this method with every grip as most are composite grips when expanded will possibly mis shape it.