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Clubmaking Question: Using compressed air to remove grips

Question:

Hey! I use the same thing in a very similar fashion. I just start gripping near the end of the grip and work my way down. Robert – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure. I use a small 12 volt emergency tyre pump type compressor…about $15! Also use a protective tube (actually an old paint roller)…but usually this isn’t necessary. With the 12v compressor things happen really quite slowly anyway…and you can control the effect by simply removing the nozzle from the grip. Just wait until you see the grip ‘releasing’ along its length…at some stage you will need to hold your fingers over the shaft end of the grip to maintain the seal while you work the grip off. You get quite adept at it after a few…takes me about 5 seconds! NEVER use any volatile fluid while using the compressor…..just a whiff of a naked flame anywhere in the neighbourhood and you’ll get more than deafness, that’s for sure! david

Response:

Nice job mike. You obvoiusly put a lot of time and effort into this reply. Hope all your grip problems are fine and your using the time and money you save for other worthwile purposes.

That’s what I do.  My wife is pretty tolerant of what is an expensive hobby, and I do what I can to keep costs down.  I like dabbling in clubmaking, have half an idea that some day I might do it for others, and learning how to transfer grips is part of the process of knowing. However, I couldn’t help but think of bob villa’s old motto: "Measure twice, cut once". I think if more people did that before putting a grip on, they

???  I’ve never cut a grip before putting it on the club; I don’t know what this refers to.  Part of the fun of playing golf and clubmaking (for me at least) is exploring new ideas and equipment.  I’d love to be able to switch grips at will, saving them for replacement.  I did that with some older blades I have laying around here, put several different grips on them so I could compare.  I’d like to be able to do that with my current set, and remove the grips intact for re-use either by me or someone else. I just thought the original message and some of the replys were too funny.

I agree, some were funny.  Some of the suggestions I wouldn’t try on a bet, such as using gasoline.  I use mineral spirits for gripping, and that would be the only thing I’d use. The best answers so far are to either cover the grip with a piece of PVC or golf-club-tube or similar, or to get Golfsmith’s tool to take off a grip.  I’ll be buying a couple of shafts and heads soon, I’ll probably also pick up the Golfsmith tool. When you look at some of the tools & chemicals hanging around and some of the things people try, to save a grip it’s either scary or amusing (depending on your POV).

I agree, some are scary.  I want a way to save it without endangering myself.  I don’t like the idea of wasting them (our society is way too much into "throw it away," IMO) if I can avoid it.  Besides, it’s a nice puzzle–how do you get the darned things off so they can be re-used. Didn’t mean to offend, sorry, hope your ears aren’t ringing from the

:)  Accepted!  Sorry about the curtness in my response. I’ve recovered from the explosion.  Right after it happened I stepped back, looked at it and felt kind of dumb about it.  I thought to myself, I should have forseen that, but I didn’t.  I don’t know why I didn’t, and that bugs me.  I expected the air to come out SOMEWHERE, but I anticipated it coming out at the end of the grip, not out the side! Mike — Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep R.S.G clean. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

Response:

Nice job mike. You obvoiusly put a lot of time and effort into this reply. Hope all your grip problems are fine and your using the time and money you save for other worthwile purposes. However, I couldn’t help but think of bob villa’s old motto: "Measure twice, cut once". I think if more people did that before putting a grip on, they I just thought the original message and some of the replys were too funny. When you look at some of the tools & chemicals hanging around and some of the things people try, to save a grip it’s either scary or amusing (depending on your POV). Didn’t mean to offend, sorry, hope your ears aren’t ringing from the

I never thought they were worth saving either, until I was doing work that would otherwise have trashed OEM-labeled grips, or expensive cords or training grips or putter grips.  At that point the $19 for the Golfsmith tool was worth paying.  The actual effort, using that tool and air if needed, is miniscule. Doesn’t take much longer than cutting the grip off. Not like needles and all that. -Don

Response:

Slip a piece of PVC pipe over the grip before you light the fuse. You didn’t get that on video did you..? (g) ]]]Z[[[

Seriously Zamuel, and all the rest of my fellow RSGers, hyrocarbon solvents and compressed air make an FAE (fuel air explosives) used by our military to make the most potent non-nuke bombs in the inventory. If you use solvents let it do its work don't help it along with compressed air  or matches, or a torch or a shop vac.... ever notice the warning on the shop vac that say not to use on flammable liquids and hot ashes---"OK Martha I cleaned up the gasoline in the moment) least you friends entertain your widow in way you would not approve. Sparkey; who used to do unpleasant things that made loud noises

Response:

I'm new to all this, but as I read this thread, I was thinking the same thing.  Why on earth are so many people experts on saving old grips?  Don't you normally remove the old grip because it's worn out and you want to replace it? There are a few reasons a clubmaker might want to remove recently installed grips...Changing swingweight or resizing the grip by adding tape under it are a couple...Grips can be had for as little as $1.00 ea...But that's still $15 you're throwing away...You can get a 18 topflight XL2000s for that!...(g)

Ah, the whole area of removing it so you can put it back on is something I didn't think about.  Like changing a shaft but keeping the almost new grips, or fixing a single broken shaft but keeping the same grip so it's a nice match with the rest of the set instead of having one grip newer (and possibly slightly different). The saving money idea can make sense for some, but what I was having trouble with is why you would be removing the grip in the first place if you wanted to keep it.  But I see there are quite a few reasons.... -- Curt Welch                                            http://CurtWelch.Com/

Response:

Nice job mike. You obvoiusly put a lot of time and effort into this reply. Hope all your grip problems are fine and your using the time and money you save for other worthwile purposes. However, I couldn't help but think of bob villa's old motto: "Measure twice, cut once". I think if more people did that before putting a grip on, they I just thought the original message and some of the replys were too funny. When you look at some of the tools & chemicals hanging around and some of the things people try, to save a grip it's either scary or amusing (depending on your POV). Didn't mean to offend, sorry, hope your ears aren't ringing from the - Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -Ah, yes, another who knows it all.  Amazing that these people keep coming out of the walls. There are a host of reasons why your response is dim:   First, you may think that people are just saving a "$2 grip," but for many, golf is an expensive game.  Saving 12 or 13 grips over a set would, for many people, constitute a significant savings.  I'm very glad for you that you have the money to burn to buy new ones at your whim, but some people do not. Second, it might well be the case that YOU are using $2 grips. but what about some of us who are using $3 and $4 grips?  Ah, the money starts to mount there, doesn't it?  Oh, I forgot--you don't care about money, do you? Third, for some of us, clubmaking is a hobby, and if we want to explore different ways of handling the gripping question, what's it to you? Fourth, perhaps someone has a set of clubs they want to reshaft. Suppose also they have almost-new grips on their old clubs, and those grips cost, say, $4 apiece (not unlikely given what good cord grips from a manufacturer like Golfpride cost, plus shipping).  Perhaps they'd rather spend 20 minutes or half an hour removing the old ones and recycling them to save $50-60, the savings which they can put toward any number of other things. Fifth, suppose someone has a grip style they like; they want to reshaft ONE club, and want to transfer the grip from the old to the new.  Rather than order ONE new one, and add the shipping cost, and then endure the wait for the new grip to actually be shipped and show up on their door, they'd like a way to simply transfer the old one to the new shaft. Sixth, some people don't believe in wasting things just because they can.  Buying more grips and filling a landfill with the old grips is not what they are about. Seventh, are you getting the sense that maybe you shot your mouth off before putting your brain in gear? Mike (who can afford to buy new grips but for some of the reasons above prefers not to do so if he can avoid it). -- Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep R.S.G clean. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

Response:

What do you guys do with the old grips once you have removed them?

I believe they're sent to Firestone to make new tires.

Response:

This has to be one of the funniest strings i've ever read in this group. Air compressors blowing up grips, needles with gasoline..... All this to save a $2 grip?

Ah, yes, another who knows it all.  Amazing that these people keep coming out of the walls. There are a host of reasons why your response is dim:   First, you may think that people are just saving a "$2 grip," but for many, golf is an expensive game.  Saving 12 or 13 grips over a set would, for many people, constitute a significant savings.  I'm very glad for you that you have the money to burn to buy new ones at your whim, but some people do not. Second, it might well be the case that YOU are using $2 grips. but what about some of us who are using $3 and $4 grips?  Ah, the money starts to mount there, doesn't it?  Oh, I forgot--you don't care about money, do you? Third, for some of us, clubmaking is a hobby, and if we want to explore different ways of handling the gripping question, what's it to you? Fourth, perhaps someone has a set of clubs they want to reshaft. Suppose also they have almost-new grips on their old clubs, and those grips cost, say, $4 apiece (not unlikely given what good cord grips from a manufacturer like Golfpride cost, plus shipping).  Perhaps they'd rather spend 20 minutes or half an hour removing the old ones and recycling them to save $50-60, the savings which they can put toward any number of other things. Fifth, suppose someone has a grip style they like; they want to reshaft ONE club, and want to transfer the grip from the old to the new.  Rather than order ONE new one, and add the shipping cost, and then endure the wait for the new grip to actually be shipped and show up on their door, they'd like a way to simply transfer the old one to the new shaft. Sixth, some people don't believe in wasting things just because they can.  Buying more grips and filling a landfill with the old grips is not what they are about. Seventh, are you getting the sense that maybe you shot your mouth off before putting your brain in gear? Mike (who can afford to buy new grips but for some of the reasons above prefers not to do so if he can avoid it). -- Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep R.S.G clean. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

Response:

Z, Good one!  10 Minutes later and I am still laughing at the thought of this! Don Lets talk Golf!! - Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - I'd read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon. So how do people do this? Slip a piece of PVC pipe over the grip before you light the fuse. You didn't get that on video did you..? (g) ]]]Z[[[

Response:

Rather than using compressed air I have found using a needle and syringe that I bought from the local feed store and injecting solvent through the butt end of the grip and then just pulling the grip off works very quickly and doesnt hurt my ears.

- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - I'd read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure. What's the result?  My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon.  I didn't try to over-fill it, but clearly I went beyond what I should have.  It seems, upon inspection, that the upper 60 percent of the grip--on the butt end--came loose from the grip tape.  The lower 40 percent still appears to be held fast. So how do people do this?  Is it necessary to lubricate it the grip with grip solvent (using one of those needle-pump affairs like I see in the catalogs) before trying this?  Is there a trick to it? Thanks!  (And please speak up if you answer--I'm a little hard of hearing right now). Mike -- Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep R.S.G clean. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

Response:

I'd read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, No, its really not as your story illustrates. Get the Golfsmith grip remover tool (strong, thin, rounded blade with a handle), or some other tool like it, and work it off with some grip solvent.

I have had good luck with the Golfsmith tool mentioned above.  If the grip is stubborn after the tool loosens it, then a short little pop of compressed air jumps the grip right off. -Don M

Response:

I'd read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure.

I use a small 12 volt emergency tyre pump type compressor...about $15! Also use a protective tube (actually an old paint roller)...but usually this isn't necessary. With the 12v compressor things happen really quite slowly anyway...and you can control the effect by simply removing the nozzle from the grip. Just wait until you see the grip 'releasing' along its length...at some stage you will need to hold your fingers over the shaft end of the grip to maintain the seal while you work the grip off. You get quite adept at it after a few...takes me about 5 seconds! NEVER use any volatile fluid while using the compressor.....just a whiff of a naked flame anywhere in the neighbourhood and you'll get more than deafness, that's for sure! david

Response:

NEVER use any volatile fluid while using the compressor.....just a whiff of a naked flame anywhere in the neighbourhood and you'll get more than deafness, that's for sure!

Ahhh...now THERE would be a video! (g) ]]]Z[[[

Response:

This has to be one of the funniest strings i've ever read in this group. Air compressors blowing up grips, needles with gasoline..... All this to save a $2 grip?

Response:

All this to save a $2 grip?

I'm new to all this, but as I read this thread, I was thinking the same thing.  Why on earth are so many people experts on saving old grips?  Don't you normally remove the old grip because it's worn out and you want to replace it? And even if the grip was still in good shape and the owner was just changing it to try something different, would you really want to use the old "used" grips again when brand new grips only cost a few bucks each? What do you guys do with the old grips once you have removed them? -- Curt Welch                                            http://CurtWelch.Com/

Response:

I'm new to all this, but as I read this thread, I was thinking the same thing.  Why on earth are so many people experts on saving old grips?  Don't you normally remove the old grip because it's worn out and you want to replace it?

There are a few reasons a clubmaker might want to remove recently installed grips...Changing swingweight or resizing the grip by adding tape under it are a couple...Grips can be had for as little as $1.00 ea...But that's still $15 you're throwing away...You can get a 18 topflight XL2000s for that!...(g) ]]]Z[[[

Response:

Fill a surgical syringe with solvent [...] Good luck. Carefull with veins.

Yeah, you need to be REAL careful any time you have hold of a syringe filled with some non-biological fluid with a sharp needle attached. Severe tissue damage is pretty much guaranteed if you inject yourself accidentally.  As in, they’ll be asking you about that missing finger until it grows back.   -joseph

Response:

So how do people do this?

a little grip solvent will make it easier, particularly if it’s an older grip. Regardless, what you need to do is buy a plastic golf bag tube (should cost about $1).  Cut off a 1-foot long section and slide this over the grip.  Then you can use your compressor.  This will prevent blow-outs.

Response:

I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea,

No, its really not as your story illustrates. Get the Golfsmith grip remover tool (strong, thin, rounded blade with a handle), or some other tool like it, and work it off with some grip solvent. John Baima Silver Shot Custom Clubs www.silvershot.com DFW Golf and the Java Swingweight Calculator

Response:

I use a cut off piece of those plastic golf bag tubes that I reinforced by wrapping in duct tape.  The tube keeps the grip from exploding, and the flexibility of the bag tube allows you to help the process by twisting the grip a bit.  This method works for me maybe 60% of the time.     With out the tube, it does get a little loud.  Wear eye protection as well. Wayne T

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure. What’s the result?  My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon.  I didn’t try to over-fill it, but clearly I went beyond what I should have.  It seems, upon inspection, that the upper 60 percent of the grip–on the butt end–came loose from the grip tape.  The lower 40 percent still appears to be held fast. So how do people do this?  Is it necessary to lubricate it the grip with grip solvent (using one of those needle-pump affairs like I see in the catalogs) before trying this?  Is there a trick to it? Thanks!  (And please speak up if you answer–I’m a little hard of hearing right now). Mike — Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep R.S.G clean. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

Response:

Fill a surgical syringe with solvent –e.g. gasoline– and inject it between grip and shaft. About 3 "inoculations" is usually enough. Squeeze the grip to move the liquid around and it will slide off without effort. Good luck. Carefull with veins. Rgds, Magnus – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure. What’s the result?  My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon.  I didn’t try to over-fill it, but clearly I went beyond what I should have.  It seems, upon inspection, that the upper 60 percent of the grip–on the butt end–came loose from the grip tape.  The lower 40 percent still appears to be held fast. So how do people do this?  Is it necessary to lubricate it the grip with grip solvent (using one of those needle-pump affairs like I see in the catalogs) before trying this?  Is there a trick to it? Thanks!  (And please speak up if you answer–I’m a little hard of hearing right now). Mike I succeeded by pouring a bit of acetone into the shaft , putting the air nozzle into the grip, standing the club up and puffing some air (and acetone! ) under the grip. The solvent lends a helping hand to the air. It’s a bit awkward holding the club ,head up, but once the solvent gets busy , it’s all over.. HTH

Response:

I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure. What’s the result?  My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon.  I didn’t try to over-fill it, but clearly I went beyond what I should have.  It seems, upon inspection, that the upper 60 percent of the grip–on the butt end–came loose from the grip tape.  The lower 40 percent still appears to be held fast. So how do people do this?  Is it necessary to lubricate it the grip with grip solvent (using one of those needle-pump affairs like I see in the catalogs) before trying this?  Is there a trick to it?   Thanks!  (And please speak up if you answer–I’m a little hard of hearing right now). Mike — Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep R.S.G clean. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. This struck me as a good idea, so I fired up my compressor (a $25 garage-sale special) and attempted to do just that.  I have a nice fluted nozzle that fits in the hole in the end of the grip, and a hand-held trigger release to control the pressure. What’s the result?  My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon.  I didn’t try to over-fill it, but clearly I went beyond what I should have.  It seems, upon inspection, that the upper 60 percent of the grip–on the butt end–came loose from the grip tape.  The lower 40 percent still appears to be held fast. So how do people do this?  Is it necessary to lubricate it the grip with grip solvent (using one of those needle-pump affairs like I see in the catalogs) before trying this?  Is there a trick to it?   Thanks!  (And please speak up if you answer–I’m a little hard of hearing right now). Mike

I succeeded by pouring a bit of acetone into the shaft , putting the air nozzle into the grip, standing the club up and puffing some air (and acetone! ) under the grip. The solvent lends a helping hand to the air. It’s a bit awkward holding the club ,head up, but once the solvent gets busy , it’s all over.. HTH

Response:

I’d read somewhere on RSG that people use compressed air to remove grips so they can be re-used. My ears are STILL ringing from the POW! that occurred as I blew out the side of the grip like a balloon. So how do people do this?

Slip a piece of PVC pipe over the grip before you light the fuse. You didn’t get that on video did you..? (g) ]]]Z[[[

Response:

…and they noticed a small mushroom cloud over what was left of his house… :o I succeeded by pouring a bit of acetone into the shaft , putting the air nozzle into the grip, standing the club up and puffing some air (and acetone! ) under the grip. The solvent lends a helping hand to the air. It’s a bit awkward holding the club ,head up, but once the solvent gets busy , it’s all over.. HTH

Before you buy.

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