Hireko Forum

dtutelman · Joined: Oct 7, 2006 Messages: 5 Offline

How should a tip weight be secured in a graphite shaft?
Epoxy it inside the clubhead?
Epoxy it inside the shaft?
If inside the shaft, how much of the stem should be epoxied?

I have the Hireko BW05W brass weights (which I notice are missing from the 2009 catalog). They have a long stem that extends well above the top of the hosel. I have been avoiding epoxy except near the very bottom of the stem. That's because ten years ago there was a big deal made about breaking graphite shafts at the hosel top by filling the shaft cavity with epoxy above the hosel top.

Here's my problem: With the long stem of this weight, they seem to break free immediately and cause a rattle when tapping the club on the ground.

Is there some way to avoid the rattle?
Is the caution about epoxy to the hosel-top unnecessary?

Thanks,
DaveT

Jeff Summitt · Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Messages: 2234 Offline

Dave:

I was never a big fan of those because the length of the stem exceeds the top of the hosel and potentially could create the stress riser within the shaft. But you will need a thin coat of epoxy on the stem to completely fill the voids and eliminate any vibration. Work it inside the shaft tip in an up and down motion while twisting to even the epoxy plus remove an air pockets.

Personally I would cut the stem shorter to no longer than the bottom of the countersink in the hosel so it won't cause a problem and live with the swingweight being a point lighter. If you cut it, score the stem with a sharp knife and snap it off. Cutting the pin will pinch off or close the air hole in the stem and make it difficulty for the shaft to seat as it may want to back out.

Jeff Summitt

dtutelman · Joined: Oct 7, 2006 Messages: 5 Offline

Jeff Summitt wrote:

I was never a big fan of those because the length of the stem exceeds the top of the hosel and potentially could create the stress riser within the shaft...

So I guess now I know:

Why it is no longer in the catalog, and
That my fears are well grounded.

Thanks for the advice.

DaveT