Xstiffshafts

...and it was key to being able to correct the order of operations for me... instead of sand->polish->clean->torch->blast, I'm able to sand->polish->blast->clean->torch. Which means I no longer have to sacrifice color for satin finish. I feel like I owe you a gift or something. Tell your friends I said thank you sincerely! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

@mcaseym that info was super useful. Here's what I think is one of the best looking toplines I've ever done. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Thanks for doing that. Very useful stuff, and very much appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Working on another Monterrey, ended up back at golfsmith and bought up every used Cameron they had left. Going for an even looking shade of the purple on the face of the last Monterrey. Still cooling, so I'm not sure what it will ultimately look like, but so far so good. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I think it's one of two things that causes the difficulty I have torching after a bead blast. Either a) lower pressure blast done very evenly, and then wait 12-24 hrs before torching to allow embedded media to "set" or use a media with a lower embedment profile. Right now I'm using 80 grit glass from HFT, I've also used their 40/70 glass which I really liked. Would love to hear RB7 thoughts on this. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I do have it. I've held onto it for a while now. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I have it listed for 269 on eBay. Would take 250 for it from a fellow MGS member. Plus, no eBay fee Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Here's a Bettinardi SS 14 I picked up at a close out golfsmith sale. Putting her on eBay this weekend. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

@McaseyM & @RookieBlue7 I saw in the thread about Mcasey's TPM resto's that RB7 suggested blasting prior to torching. The logic behind the recommendation is sound; that beadblasting will cost you some of the color you achieve thru torching. But I have a question on this. I've noticed that when I've beadblasted prior to torch work, there's a tendency for the torching to become very splotchy and uneven - I'm wondering if my media embedment is too high or I'm not waiting long enough. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Torching it. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Fastback with some sunlight on it. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Gotcha. I remember my dad having an original that was worth something. Found out right after he'd either lost it or traded it in. Can't remember which it was. Either way it was folly of a very high order. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Wow! An original anser!? Belongs in a shadow box! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Here's the finished product on that fastback that I went about a dozen different directions with before deciding to torch past purple and beadblast to finish. And here's an M2 that's a work in progress:

After months (that felt like an eternity) of lusting after and coveting almost all of Dave Billings "Machine" putter designs, I am finally the proud owner of one. I was able to pick this up from a local shop that has a deal with Billings and carries a solid selection of Machine models. IMO, Dave is one of the best in the business and, even though I'm posting this in the DIY refinish thread, I wouldn't dare f with this beauty... I just didn't want to start a thread about how happy I am to finally get my hands on one of these. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

There's something I'm trying to accomplish in a torched finish, and I'm curious to hear feedback from y'all... perhaps RB7 could chime in and share some thoughts on how this can be achieved. I've owned, cumulatively, no less than 2 dozen Bettinardis and still have 7 or 8 of them knocking around in my putter closet. One of my absolute favorite finishes ever is the beautiful look of their Queen Bee line of putters. Pic for reference: Now, clearly, this is not a torched finish. In fact, the Bettinardi webpage calls it a savannah blue PVD finish. I'm not setup to PVD in my garage, and polymer tends to be a 1 color finish for me, unless I'm taping off sections to do multiple colors, but fading like that isn't something I can accomplish with a poly style finish. I think the closest I can come (to the concept, I'm not trying to replicate the QB finish) - I believe - is through a torched finish. That Monterrey I recently did has given me a few ideas relative to this. My idea, essentially is to basically torch it twice or maybe even three times. So, first torch is evenly heated, except in the area where I'm looking for the highlights-where I'll spend some more time, then after it's cooled, I'll very carefully polish the whole putter again except the area(s) that I want to stay the color they are, once I've polished then it's time to clean and prep for second round of torching. The second round of torching (if final round) I'm going to try to do very evenly to my desired finish color, with the understanding that my highlighted areas my get darker with more heat, so bronze -> purple, purple->blue, etc... I'm working on a select fast back right now, that I'd like to have some kind of gradient effect coming out of the cavity and a two toned face. So here's what it looked like after torching once and polishing. And after torch #2: Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I'm not quite there yet. Would have to sell about 500 more putters (and my daughters) before managing that. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I do too. Short of finishing it with cerakote/polymer there's just not a whole lot you can do with that 6061 "aircraft" aluminum unless you have an electroplating setup in the garage. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Here's that M2 that was being torched the other day. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Awesome! Yeah bronze is a great color to hammer on. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Seriously, A8mC- that is some kickass hammering. The more I look at it, the more I like it. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Finally, a cool pic I took while I was heating the M2 today: Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Most recently finished project... a little flip job from local swap shop. Picked up newer Monterrey in decent shape, got it smoothed out in no time, torched and painted... now up on eBay. 34" with a brand new baby t grip (my fav or 2nd fav Cameron grip of all time) Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Another M2 body. Dropping soleplate/face inlay back in totally stock w no changes after polishing and painting cherry dots. Ps the blue around the cross alignment aid is intentional. Also, having recently switched from standard propane torch to MAPP gas and occasionally o2, the difference is staggering---in a very good way. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Very cool Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy