In attempting to remove the broken shaft, it was only after hours of heating and twisting the head that you realised this was no ordinary re-shaft, and that a Plan B was required.
There are three options open to you:
1. Squirt WD40 down the shaft to help loosen any corrosion, then heat and attempt to twist off as you would with a normal putter. This method works about 1 in every 20 attempts.
2. You will probably have among your membership an engineer who might have access to a spark-eroder. These machines are very effective but are difficult to track down.
3. The final option is the drill and punch method, as follows:
Step 1. Squirt WD40 down the shaft
Step 2. Mask off the face to protect against the drill bit or chuck
Step 3. Centre-punch the bottom of the hosel
Step 4. With a sharp 1/8-inch drill bit, drill a hole through the bottom of the hosel
Step 5. Using a 1/8” pin-punch, punch the ball bearing out of the hosel
Step 6. Remove old shaft and install new one
Step 7. Using a plastic tip plug (used for thru bore heads) fill the hole and flush off with a file and sand paper
Like any repair, the nightmares recede if you have the right tools, and for this repair, the right tools cost just a few pounds.
