The more I read forum threads in regards to club building, the more I see topics such as:

• How do I get started in club building and repair?
• What are the basic tools needed for club building and repair?
• How do you (insert any club repair task)?

The one topic that seems to get over looked is shop safety. Maybe it’s because we “Do-it-yourselfers” don’t expect to injure ourselves in the process. Unfortunately, many injuries occur when people least expect them to happen.

That’s I decided to invite some GolfWRXers to weigh in on the topic; members whose skills and experience range from master club builder to hobbyist. With over 60 years experience in the field, we came up some shop safety procedures and ideas that you can follow to reduce the risk of injury. Some of them are as basic as protective eye and footwear, while others relate to hazards you may not have been aware of.

Let’s start with basic shop set up. How you choose to lay out your work area is up to you, but it is a very good idea to add the following in your setup:

Ventilation: Working with chemicals and grinding/sanding machines can produce harmful fumes, smoke and other airborne particles such as graphite and dust. Along with a good ventilation system, it’s wise to wear a quality ventilation mask while working with items that may create breathing hazards.

Non-slip mats: Having them around your work area will reduce slip and fall injuries due to spilled chemicals. While we are speaking of slip and fall injuries, keep your work-area flooring clean and tidy. This will reduce the chances of injury for you, as well as those who might walk by.

Metal Garbage Can & Lid: The location of your garbage can/waste basket should be away from any open flames or sparks.Paper towels and chemical-soaked tape and rags can easily catch fire from sparks flying off grinders and cutters.

Basic First Aid Kit & Eye Wash Station: Any time chemicals and solvents are involved and there is a chance of eye contact, keep a basic first aid kit and eye wash station near the work area where eye irritants are being used.

Eye & Ear Protection: A pair of protective goggles were the No. 1 item discussed when it came to shop safety. Always wear eye protection, especially when using a wire brush wheel to deburr the end of a steel shaft after cutting or while using any other grinding/sanding wheel. The levels of noise power tools make can easily damage hearing over a period of time, sp be sure to wear ear protection as well.

Having “the right tools for the job” seems cliché, but the statement is worth repeating. Taking shortcuts with an improvised tool is one of the fastest ways to injure yourself. It’s just not worth cutting a corner to save time or a buck or two.

As an example: Never use a hypodermic type needle device to inject solvent between the grip and the tape as a way to remove and re-use the grip. While it certainly can work and has been done a lot over the years, the risk of an accidental “injection” into your hand is great. The chemicals and solvents used can cause serious infection, and in some cases they can lead to the loss of the finger or hand.

Another example of an ill-advised shortcut would be to sand lead tip weights rather cut them. Using a sanding wheel creates airborne lead dust and over time is not healthy to a club builder.

Hook Blade: Use a hook blade when removing grips or tape from a shaft and always cut AWAY from you.

Leather Work Gloves: Heating up club heads for removal and using sanding/grinding wheels tend to heat shafts and heads more than expected, even after they sit for a while. Wearing a pair of leather work gloves will reduce the chance of burning your hands on heated metal.

Take care of your tools and your tools will take care of you

Always check your tools to see if they are functioning properly before starting any project. A quick inspection can ensure a safe operating area and reduce the chance of injury. Before you start:

• Check all table-mounted tools to ensure they are mounted securely.
• Check sanding belts on a regular basis for cuts or splits. While it’s not common, a belt that separates completely while the machine is running can hit a club builder in the face or hands. Their edges can cut skin.

Prepping for the job can reduce cuts and scrapes. Taping off the ends of a broken shaft is a great example of this. When club builders prepare and plan, they reduce the chances of unwanted injuries and mishaps.

Dress for Success

Also much overlooked (especially for the Do-it-yourselfer) is dressing for the job. Never wear baggy or loose clothing that can be sucked into power tools or get tangled in them. Also, always wear protective closed-toed shoes. When working with chemicals, solvents and epoxy, wearing an apron can reduce the chance of soaking your clothes with flammable liquids. That’s good for your wallet (you won’t need to buy as many new clothes) and your safety.

The topic of shop safety is never ending discussion, as it should be. Safety procedures should always be learned and adhered to when working on clubs or any other home/shop projects.

I would like to take the time and thank the following GolfWRX members for all their input for this article: Mxtitleistgolfer, Tobybear, Super Tuna, Knudson81, Awalkspoiled, Hispl, Sean2, Dscvrr St Louis, Deck and a special thank you to Tom Wishon for taking the time out his busy schedule to give his input on this topic.