Next comes the method for measuring club lengths. There are fairly sophisticated devices with hinged ends to allow for the various lie angles and hosel offset, but a 48" ruler screwed to the bench with a block of wood at one end is sufficient for most scenarios.
Cutting edge
Cutting shafts is another area where, depending on the volume of work, it is a good idea to invest in a small chop saw with an abrasive wheel that cuts both steel and graphite shafts. If the volume of shaft cutting is only small, a simple pipe cutter is adequate for steel and a tile blade attached to a hack saw will work for graphite.
One piece of machinery I highly recommend and think is essential for the serious club maker is the 30" belt sander. These little machines have 1001 uses in the workshop, and they take all the pain and effort out of removing the chrome from the tips of steel shafts, the paint from graphite shaft tips and for turning down ferrules in a professional way.
Weighing in
Swing-weight scales are one of the few tools in the workshop that are exclusive to the golf industry, and are vital in matching the feel within a set of clubs. Again, there are expensive machines and more economic versions; both do the same thing so it's worth looking at the use you're going to get out of them before buying.
A decent club rack is also a good idea, as this will keep the clubs you're working on out of the way and avoid them getting knocked over while they're drying. An old manufacturer's display stand is ideal for this purpose.
For convenience and to save money, it is worth investing in a solvent recycling catch pan at around £15-20. These clip on the bench next to the vice and recycle the solvent into a can under the bench. This keeps re-gripping clean and will pay for itself within a few weeks. Another tool that pays for itself very quickly is a good shaft extractor. At around a £100, at first glance it looks a bit extravagant, but having the capability to save the shafts from almost any make and model of head is worth a lot of money. It is very rare for a customer to want their old shaft back after a re-shaft, and as the original shafts are normally in good condition they can be re-used. A re-shaft charged at £25-35 using a ‘pulled' shaft takes three jobs to pay for the extractor - after that all re-shafts are100% profit.
The last item is unfortunately the most expensive, a Loft & Lie machine. These cost anything from £350 to £1000, but are essential for the workshop. It is no good carrying out a fitting and advising the customer they need more upright or flatter clubs if you don't have the facilities to make these adjustments. Income can easily be generated once your members/customers are aware that you can offer this service; at around £3 per club or £30 a set it doesn't take long to recoup the investment.
A well-equipped workshop makes it so much easier to produce high quality work, which enhances a pro's reputation and results in higher profitability. It is worth that initial investment.
