Brand New Easton Shaft Broke!

[guasto74 0]

So I go to my LHS to pick up a Bauer 9500 cage - mission accomplished. While I was there I start browsing and they have Easton Synthesis Elite shafts for $90. Thought it was a good deal and just got a raise, so I picked that up with a Drury Easton SE blade. Got an adult shaft in 100 flex with a "SENIOR" end plug. Now I'm no Bob Villa and I never worked in a hockey shop but I've been playing 2 piece composites for the last 8 years and NEVER had a problem setting them up myself. Well I heat the shaft to put the end plug in and it's not even close. Heat it up a little more and give a little more pressure and the fibers in the shaft start to come undone a little and start to form a small crack. Now I'm getting a little nervous. I probably should have stopped there but of course I have to give it the old college try so I heat it up real good and give a good push to the end plug. Now the shaft breaks about 3 inches from the top and is useless. $140 on shaft and blade for nothing.

Bought this from a new shop in the area and there really is no return policy on the receipt. My question is, do I eat this $90 b/c I tried to fit a senior end plug into an adult shaft rather than try an intermediate end plug? Or am I justified in going back asking for my money back or at least store credit?

I'm sure the kid will think I'm a jacka$$ but hey $140 is a lot of scratch. I'm sure some of you guys will think I'm a jacka$$ too but am asking for honest opinions. Obviously, I'm pissed off that I have to go back there b/c it's not the closest place to me.

Thanks.

[gelowitz 0]

Go to the store, and if they don't accept it, call Easton. (As long as it's been less than 30 days since your purchase)

[cptjeff 0]

Easton has a warranty. 30 days from day of purchase I think. Send it in to them, they'll send you a new one.

[Chadd 916]

That's not a break due to a manufacturing defect or construction of the stick. You screwed up and you should eat the cost. The shop has no reason to refund or credit you in any way, though Easton might. You can try sending it back to them and seeing what happens.

[cptjeff 0]

That's not a break due to a manufacturing defect or construction of the stick. You screwed up and you should eat the cost. The shop has no reason to refund or credit you in any way, though Easton might. You can try sending it back to them and seeing what happens.

No, unless he was heating it with a blowtorch as specifically prohibited by Easton, he's using it as intended. Unless he was trying to put the plug in the wrong end, but it sounds innocent enough.

[interpathway 9]

Beware though, Easton may make the claim that you overheated the shaft...

[Chadd 916]

That's not a break due to a manufacturing defect or construction of the stick. You screwed up and you should eat the cost. The shop has no reason to refund or credit you in any way, though Easton might. You can try sending it back to them and seeing what happens.

No, unless he was heating it with a blowtorch as specifically prohibited by Easton, he's using it as intended. Sort of. I'm a little unclear on what he was trying to do, but It sounds innocent enough.

Cramming in something that doesn't fit is not "using it as intended."

[cptjeff 0]

True.

Other question is, why is it unusable? Just add a longer plug after sawing off the cracked part.

[guasto74 0]

True.

Other question is, why is it unusable? Just add a longer plug after sawing off the cracked part.

Thanks for the responses so far. Feel a little guilty about bringing it back to the store and probably will try Easton. Definitely should have stopped when it first started to crack. Though you would think an adult shaft would be able to take an adult plug. I didn't use a blowtorch.

As far as getting a longer plug. I don't know, it's broken a good deal down the shaft, never seen a plug that long.

[legiahockey 3]

i think easton will take it. say it split from shooting. my buddies have sent in really beat up sticks that broke from solid overuse in the 30 days and never had a problem. you should be fine. atleast call them and try.

[Drewhunz 3]

Or you could try the truth.

[LkptTiger 1]

Though you would think an adult shaft would be able to take an adult plug.

Not all shafts are made to the same specs. If it was a wood plug, try shaving it down a bit next time.

[reyno2ac 0]

I would send it back to easton.

[TBLfan 25]

I would let your shop do all the work on your sticks from now on. Stay away from the stove too.

[cptjeff 0]

True.

Other question is, why is it unusable? Just add a longer plug after sawing off the cracked part.

Thanks for the responses so far. Feel a little guilty about bringing it back to the store and probably will try Easton. Definitely should have stopped when it first started to crack. Though you would think an adult shaft would be able to take an adult plug. I didn't use a blowtorch.

As far as getting a longer plug. I don't know, it's broken a good deal down the shaft, never seen a plug that long.

They make them quite long. A guy I played with had one that was about 18 inches (really tall guy, really tall stick) You just take a hacksaw and cut off the broken part and stick the plug in at the nice fresh end. 3 inches isn't that much to cut off if you aren't extremely tall.

But contact easton first. Better to have a new shaft then one that works, but isn't the best in the world.

[Chadd 916]

Though you would think an adult shaft would be able to take an adult plug.

Not all shafts are made to the same specs. If it was a wood plug, try shaving it down a bit next time.

I had a guy buy a pro stock vector from me and do the exact same thing. Despite the sign that said "no warranty" and the fact that the stick broke due solely to his own negligence, he expected me to give him a new stick. At some point you have to accept responsibility for your own actions.

[LkptTiger 1]

I'm just dumbfounded by the fact that the plug was "not even close" to begin with, but he still gave 'er a go.

Nevertheless, he's going to send it back to Easton and they'll give him a shiny new SE shaft to replace the Synthesis he muffed-up. This is one of the reasons that the retail prices of hockey sticks have skyrocketed...and will continue to do so.

I'd probably be a little more upset about stuff like this if I had to pay for my sticks. Luckily, that's not the case (for now)...but eventually I'll have to start forking my money over for my stuff - and then paying that little bit extra for everyone's bogus warranty replacements is going piss me off a tad. I know it's been discussed before, but I'm gonna say it again: companies really should start offering sticks without warranties for cheaper prices.

[guasto74 0]

I'm just dumbfounded by the fact that the plug was "not even close" to begin with, but he still gave 'er a go.

Nevertheless, he's going to send it back to Easton and they'll give him a shiny new SE shaft to replace the Synthesis he muffed-up. This is one of the reasons that the retail prices of hockey sticks have skyrocketed...and will continue to do so.

I'd probably be a little more upset about stuff like this if I had to pay for my sticks. Luckily, that's not the case (for now)...but eventually I'll have to start forking my money over for my stuff - and then paying that little bit extra for everyone's bogus warranty replacements is going piss me off a tad. I know it's been discussed before, but I'm gonna say it again: companies really should start offering sticks without warranties for cheaper prices.

I will not go back to the store. I'm a big boy here and can accept responsibility for my actions. I'll try Easton and if they deny my claim, I won't cry over it. I'll submit an accurate claim and hope for the best. I've done this with golf equipment and have been denied.

It was not even close the first time I heated it up. The second time I heated it up it went in halfway. I then gave it a little more pressure (I wasn't using all of my strength) and that's when the breakage occurred.

Even though this happened, I'll agree that sticks should be cheaper w/o a warranty. I would welcome that change anyday.

[djosbun 0]

Ice Warehouse has 8" and 12" end plugs.

[interpathway 9]

+1 on the cheaper sticks w/o warranties. My sticks always seem to break on the 34th day anyways...maybe I need to be using TIs!

[Fivehole101 0]

nevermind.....

[greech 4]

It says you heated the shaft. Maybe I've been doing it totally wrong but don't you heat the glue?

[Chadd 916]

It says you heated the shaft. Maybe I've been doing it totally wrong but don't you heat the glue?

I have always heated both.

[cptjeff 0]

It says you heated the shaft. Maybe I've been doing it totally wrong but don't you heat the glue?

I always heat just the shaft and let the heat form that melt the glue. The shaft also expands some with the heat, allowing you to slide it in better and as it cools, it'll snug up the fit and compress the glue.

Unless I have to add new glue to a blade, in which case I wind up heating both.

[Jarick 5]

Don't know what to tell you; you shouldn't have jammed it in.

I've taken a rasp to most of the wood end plugs I have because they seem to be made a bit on the thick side for the most part. This is especially true with TPS sticks I've used.

Did you buy the end plug there? If so, bring them both in and explain what happened. Maybe they can exchange it and set up the new one. If not, try Easton.