Drilling graphite for tip weights?

[Phabs]

Seems pretty self explanatory.   I have access to a Bridgeport which is probably overkill.  Doesn’t seem like it would be too difficult to do since there’s basically a pilot hole in the center of the shaft already. 
 

Just mic the OD and length of the tip weight and choose the correct drill bit.  Mark drill but with tape for insertion depth and go to work? 
 

I’ve seen some tungsten tip weights that look narrower?  Good option?  Any suggestions on what ones are easiest to use? 

[third-times-a-charm]

There are weights made for most graphite shaft IDs. I would get those. If they dont fit I would attempt to modify the weight before the shaft.

 

If you must modify the shaft ID I would do it very minimally and as a last resort.

 

The only shafts Ive had issues with are hybrid shafts that tend to be very thick at the tip with small IDs.

[HiTrajLoSpin]

Just ordered some of these brass weights for graphite shafts with insertion diameter 0.149-inch ($3 each):

 

https://billybobsgolf.com/product/brass-swingweight-for-heavy-graphite-shafts-with-small-mandrel-hole/

 

They're smaller than their other brass weights for graphite shafts with insertion diameter 0.175-inch ($1.50 each):

 

https://billybobsgolf.com/product/brass-swingweights-for-graphite-shafts/

 

Going to try them with some Graphite Design Tour AD taper-tip iron shafts.

[bvanlieu]

OP you didn't mention what graphite shaft model.

 

Billy bob standard brass weights should fit SteelFiber and Accra easily. Think I used one in a GD shaft as well, been a while 🙂

 

MMT's are very narrow, I have not tried their thinner model to see if that would fit as is.

 

The only challenge with the brass weights is getting them out if you ever need to: can be fiddly, can't easily drill them. I use a ram rod and some quick heat application to tip of weight, vice grips whatever I can do to try to pull it out. 

 

I'd have no issue drilling out the MMT with 1/8" max bit but for my build since they tend to be a bit tip heavy I just went with some nice lead tape on the 9 and PW.

 

Tungsten I a not a fan of as they are 1/4" or so tip length, which is important real estate if your insert depth to the iron is 1 1/8" or less. 

 

 

[Phabs]

48 minutes ago, bvanlieu said:

OP you didn't mention what graphite shaft model.

 

Billy bob standard brass weights should fit SteelFiber and Accra easily. Think I used one in a GD shaft as well, been a while 🙂

 

MMT's are very narrow, I have not tried their thinner model to see if that would fit as is.

 

The only challenge with the brass weights is getting them out if you ever need to: can be fiddly, can't easily drill them. I use a ram rod and some quick heat application to tip of weight, vice grips whatever I can do to try to pull it out. 

 

I'd have no issue drilling out the MMT with 1/8" max bit but for my build since they tend to be a bit tip heavy I just went with some nice lead tape on the 9 and PW.

 

Tungsten I a not a fan of as they are 1/4" or so tip length, which is important real estate if your insert depth to the iron is 1 1/8" or less. 

 

 

Sorry it would be for some accra tzi's 

 

Yeah that's what I thought on the tungsten weights , looks like they eat up about a 1/4 inch of insertion which i wasn't a huge fan of looking at them. 

 

I'll grab some of the brass guys listed above and go that way and do minimal drilling.  

[Streuner]

I have assembled new MMT this week…. 
the hole in the tip of the shaft is really narrow. I have slim lead weights but still with those I had to widen up the hole. In Millimeters spoken my lead weights are 4.5mm and the hole in the MMT tip was under 4.0mm 

[JahSteve]

for graphite i have used the tungsten weights and shaved a bit of the "pole" not tip portion to fit them into some UST recoil's. Worked... Did not want to drill it out. I did ponder the insertion depth part... Used so far for 2 seasons and no issues. 

Edited October 13, 2023 by JahSteve

[Stuart_G]

On 10/12/2023 at 11:29 PM, Phabs said:

Seems pretty self explanatory.   I have access to a Bridgeport which is probably overkill.  Doesn’t seem like it would be too difficult to do since there’s basically a pilot hole in the center of the shaft already. 
 

Just mic the OD and length of the tip weight and choose the correct drill bit.  Mark drill but with tape for insertion depth and go to work? 
 

I’ve seen some tungsten tip weights that look narrower?  Good option?  Any suggestions on what ones are easiest to use? 

 

I drill out graphite shaft ID's all the time.   Up to 11/64" on occasion although don't usually need to go that far.  Any hand drill can do the job.

 

Very easy and no real risk..... As long as you keep a few things in mind and are patient.

 

Most important thing is:   KEEP THE DRILL BIT FROM GETTING TOO HOT!!!

 

Hot drill bit softens the epoxy in the composite material.  Soft materials don't cut very well and have much more friction - which causes the bit temp to go up even more.  And you can now have a nasty cycle starting.  Things can heat up very quickly if you're not careful.  And that's when there can be some risk of damaging the shaft.

 

So best advice to prevent that:

Go in multiple steps, don't try to open the ID up all at once.

Use short (time wise) cuts - restrict how long the bit is turning while inside the shaft.

Frequently check the bit temp - if it's too hot or even uncomfortable to touch, it's too hot to use.   Let it rest or find a way to cool it down if needed.

 

That's it.

Edited October 14, 2023 by Stuart_G

[Phabs]

5 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

I drill out graphite shaft ID's all the time.   Up to 11/64" on occasion although don't usually need to go that far.  Any hand drill can do the job.

 

Very easy and no real risk..... As long as you keep a few things in mind and are patient.

 

Most important thing is:   KEEP THE DRILL BIT FROM GETTING TOO HOT!!!

 

Hot drill bit softens the epoxy in the composite material.  Soft materials don't cut very well and have much more friction - which causes the bit temp to go up even more.  And you can now have a nasty cycle starting.  Things can heat up very quickly if you're not careful.  And that's when there can be some risk of damaging the shaft.

 

So best advice to prevent that:

Go in multiple steps, don't try to open the ID up all at once.

Use short (time wise) cuts - restrict how long the bit is turning while inside the shaft.

Frequently check the bit temp - if it's too hot or even uncomfortable to touch, it's too hot to use.   Let it rest or find a way to cool it down if needed.

 

That's it.

Thanks… glad I wasn’t too far off 

[Ri_Redneck]

I have also drilled out tips for the rubber tungsten tip weights. I've done so on Aldila RIP Tours, Recoil Protos, Matrix Programs and Fujis. No problems with any as long as you follow what Stuart said above and take it slow. You also need to blow out any remaining residue from inside the shaft that can seal air in while epoxying the heads on. I typically use an old wire hanger and air compressor to make sure there is no residue in the shaft.

 

BT

[juggernaut0629]

On 10/13/2023 at 9:33 AM, HiTrajLoSpin said:

Just ordered some of these brass weights for graphite shafts with insertion diameter 0.149-inch ($3 each):

 

https://billybobsgolf.com/product/brass-swingweight-for-heavy-graphite-shafts-with-small-mandrel-hole/

 

They're smaller than their other brass weights for graphite shafts with insertion diameter 0.175-inch ($1.50 each):

 

https://billybobsgolf.com/product/brass-swingweights-for-graphite-shafts/

 

Going to try them with some Graphite Design Tour AD taper-tip iron shafts.

This is the answer

[HiTrajLoSpin]

https://billybobsgolf.com/product/brass-swingweight-for-heavy-graphite-shafts-with-small-mandrel-hole/

 

 

[Phabs]

Anyone here have a spare tip weight pictured above?  Billy bobs is out of stock and I thought I had a spare and I dont for a build i'm doing.  

 

More than happy to pay for it and have one or two shipped 

[Stuart_G]

4 hours ago, Phabs said:

Anyone here have a spare tip weight pictured above?  Billy bobs is out of stock and I thought I had a spare and I dont for a build i'm doing.  

 

More than happy to pay for it and have one or two shipped 

 

Last time I checked, Hireko also sold them.

https://www.hirekogolf.com/7-5g-weight-brass-plug-for-graphite-wood-iron-shafts.html

 

they also have a lead version up to 5gm

https://www.hirekogolf.com/weight-plug-for-graphite-wood-iron-shafts.html

 

I have some but they are the larger (not small) mandrel diameter version (10 gm).

Edited October 17, 2024 by Stuart_G

[Phabs]

11 hours ago, Stuart_G said:

 

Last time I checked, Hireko also sold them.

https://www.hirekogolf.com/7-5g-weight-brass-plug-for-graphite-wood-iron-shafts.html

 

they also have a lead version up to 5gm

https://www.hirekogolf.com/weight-plug-for-graphite-wood-iron-shafts.html

 

I have some but they are the larger (not small) mandrel diameter version (10 gm).

Thanks Stuart…

 

ill give the hirekos a try 

[semarlor]

Just now, Phabs said:

Thanks Stuart…

 

ill give the hirekos a try 

Just sent you a message, I've got 1 left if you want it. 

[billyspan]

On 10/17/2024 at 1:29 PM, semarlor said:

Just sent you a message, I've got 1 left if you want it. 

Any chance you have any more available?  Thanks!

[semarlor]

On 1/4/2025 at 11:24 AM, billyspan said:

Any chance you have any more available?  Thanks!

Unfortunately, I do not. That was the last one I had!