Making my own putter #2

[Kenny B]

On 12/15/2021 at 9:13 AM, DStar said:

So I've done the putter & ball marker. Thought I'd better make a pitch mark repairer.

Pretty basic but works well. Going to flame it to tey and match my game putter:

Nice!  Are you going to make a belt with a magnet and use this as a belt buckle?  

[cnosil]

11 minutes ago, IONEPUTT said:

IF you look at this putter design you should notice that it IS a low CG design as I said it was. Look again. 

I'm going to just go back and admire the great work being done on the putters being built.  

[DStar]

Made a start on my new putter. Along the lines of a Scotty Fastback.

I've roughed out the shape and quite pleased with it so far. 

It's 304cold rolled stainless steel, curved bottom. Will have replaceable weights on the sole and a name plate in the rear cavity.

Hopefully have a bulk of it done tomorrow:

Edited March 15, 2022 by DStar

[GolfSpy SAM]

This is so cool to watch - just caught up on the whole thread - thanks for taking the time to document all this.  

I have a few questions, if you don't mind:

a) If it's not inappropriate, I'd love to know what you charged/are charging for the ones you've already made.

b) Is the goal to make this a full-time thing, or is it (for now) just a hobby? 

c) Is there a weight limit/threshold?  I got fitted into a 335g mallet-style putter from a custom-fitter based in NZ (I'm in CA and went to a fitter with their equipment), and I have all the specs, but the pricing was a bit out of my range, but I'm curious if you have the ability to match (roughly) something like this.

d) Are you able to mill the loft directly into the face, or is the loft predicated on how the putter sits? 

Regardless of any of the answers, congrats again on making something truly beautiful.

-Swanny

[DStar]

10 hours ago, Jondough said:

This is so cool to watch - just caught up on the whole thread - thanks for taking the time to document all this.  

I have a few questions, if you don't mind:

a) If it's not inappropriate, I'd love to know what you charged/are charging for the ones you've already made.

b) Is the goal to make this a full-time thing, or is it (for now) just a hobby? 

c) Is there a weight limit/threshold?  I got fitted into a 335g mallet-style putter from a custom-fitter based in NZ (I'm in CA and went to a fitter with their equipment), and I have all the specs, but the pricing was a bit out of my range, but I'm curious if you have the ability to match (roughly) something like this.

d) Are you able to mill the loft directly into the face, or is the loft predicated on how the putter sits? 

Regardless of any of the answers, congrats again on making something truly beautiful.

-Swanny

Hi Swanny

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated that people are enjoying the process.

In answer to your questions:

a: The ones I've sold have varied in price as one was a demo that sold for £140 with a generic headcover and the other was to my aunty so did her a great price

b: More of a hobby at the moment but I've had some great feedback from the pro and the users of the couple I've sold. Might do a couple more demo's and go from there. I have all the kit at work to be able to make small batches.

c:Weight is something I'm not too bothered by. I have a ballpark figure from 340-380g for the stainless steel ones. Not looked at doing a mallet style yet as I need to look into the design a bit more. As I learn I'll be trying to come up with different designs.

d: I can mill the loft directly onto the face as that's the last operation I do. With the few I've tried myself I found 3° works for me.

Cheers

Steve

[DStar]

A bit more progress this morning: 

Really pleased with how it's going. Did some more research on our CAD package and have worked out how to include blend radii on all the edges which makes it look so much cleaner  

Edited March 16, 2022 by DStar

[DStar]

Just knocked up a quick logo insert for the rear cavity. This one is acrylic but could do any material/any engraving to suit. 

[DStar]

Alignment & hosel port done!

[silver & black]

On 3/17/2022 at 6:09 AM, DStar said:

Alignment & hosel port done!

That's beautiful... but, the hosel port is on the wrong side!

Edited March 20, 2022 by silver & black
Spelling

[DStar]

Next step - add the weight ports & buff up the sole:

[cnosil]

3 hours ago, DStar said:

Next step - add the weight ports & buff up the sole:

 

Looking great.   Each successive putter is looking more polished;  seems like you are learning!  

[DStar]

2 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Looking great.   Each successive putter is looking more polished;  seems like you are learning!  

Thanks  I'd like to think I'm learing a little bit more as I go..

 

[DStar]

Have now finished the face miling so the head is done. Going to leave this one raw as I really like the contrast of the milling. Current weight is bang on 300g without weights or neck so should be around 370g when all done. 

Weights will be around 18 & 9g.  

 

Edited March 22, 2022 by DStar

[cnosil]

Beautiful milling pattern.  my guess is that with the face thickness and the deep mill you should get a very soft feel when putting.    I’ve said it before,  but I am envious of you abilities and wish I had the ability to make something like that.  

[DStar]

22 hours ago, cnosil said:

Beautiful milling pattern.  my guess is that with the face thickness and the deep mill you should get a very soft feel when putting.    I’ve said it before,  but I am envious of you abilities and wish I had the ability to make something like that.  

Thanks, I tried it on a piece of scrap metal 1st and came out perfect, just what I was looking for. I'll report back on the feel, the face is around 5mm thick in the centre. My previous attempt was around 4mm so hoping it's a little firmer. 

Decided, as the sole isn't seen at address, I would give it a polish. Made a start on the plumbers neck too:

[DStar]

Nearly finished the neck. Bit more polish on the sole. Really chuffed with the look.

345g without weights, 304SS, 3° loft, 72° lie. 

Edited March 24, 2022 by DStar

[JohnSmalls]

4 minutes ago, DStar said:

Nearly finished the neck. Bit more polish on the sole. Really chuffed with the look.

345g without weights, 304SS, 3° loft, 72° lie. 

That looks incredible!  The name plate is something else, and my favorite part.  Reminds me of an old blue ice design theme from a few years back.

[DriverBreaker]

Dude, this is amazing!  How long has the process taken from start to finish?  And do you plan to make/sell more?

[DStar]

3 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

That looks incredible!  The name plate is something else, and my favorite part.  Reminds me of an old blue ice design theme from a few years back.

Thank you, I really like the plate too and it's an easy mod to make something different to give it a different look or add weight.

3 hours ago, GolfSpy_CS said:

Dude, this is amazing!  How long has the process taken from start to finish?  And do you plan to make/sell more?

Thank you!! All in around 3 hours machine time. Lots of work on the side designing, writing the CNC programs etc. 

I'll get this one going and see how it works. Not sure if I'll make more but see how it goes

[azstu324]

Man I'm so jealous that you have the tools and knowledge to do this. In a former, or perhaps next life I'm a mechanical engineer. 

One suggestion that I'd make if you decide to pursue this further.. and it has nothing to do with changing the heads. They're absolutely incredible!

The suggestion is to get a fitting session booked with an Edel certified fitter. I was a tester for the Edel EAS putter system last year. Before getting professionally fit, and more importantly with the David Edel process, I really just thought that the putter was made up of the head, the grip, and the length of shaft. I had no idea how important everything in-between is. My putter now has both grip and shaft counterweights, the head is weighted specifically and the grip shape also plays a huge part. What I ended up with is absolutely nothing that I would have thought, or had been able to conclude for myself. All of Edel's theory is wrapped around body biomechanics and how each person is built. Honestly the whole process blew my mind to space and back and 6 months later I'm a putting ninja! My low single digit buddies used to kind of poke fun of how nervous and tense I seemed when it came time for putting. Now they openly admit I'm probably the best behind the flat stick out of our group. I accredit the Edel process 100%.

I'm not saying that you need to completely adopt the process as it's quite intense.. but as a mechanically-minded individual, I'm sure you'd really enjoy it and could possibly apply some of the theories to your work with your putters. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tincuptim]

I would like the "D" at the heel not on the toe. Also custom initials that could be engraved and colored. Looks really sharp though. Keep it up!

[bluesmandan76]

On 2/25/2021 at 1:51 AM, DStar said:

Steve, can you mill the face with the lines going horizontally instead of vertically? 

I'll update as I get more done but, as usual, all thoughts & input gratefully received. 

Steve

Steve, can you mill the face with the lines going horizontally instead of vertically? 

[DStar]

On 3/25/2022 at 3:12 PM, azstu324 said:

Man I'm so jealous that you have the tools and knowledge to do this. In a former, or perhaps next life I'm a mechanical engineer. 

One suggestion that I'd make if you decide to pursue this further.. and it has nothing to do with changing the heads. They're absolutely incredible!

The suggestion is to get a fitting session booked with an Edel certified fitter. I was a tester for the Edel EAS putter system last year. Before getting professionally fit, and more importantly with the David Edel process, I really just thought that the putter was made up of the head, the grip, and the length of shaft. I had no idea how important everything in-between is. My putter now has both grip and shaft counterweights, the head is weighted specifically and the grip shape also plays a huge part. What I ended up with is absolutely nothing that I would have thought, or had been able to conclude for myself. All of Edel's theory is wrapped around body biomechanics and how each person is built. Honestly the whole process blew my mind to space and back and 6 months later I'm a putting ninja! My low single digit buddies used to kind of poke fun of how nervous and tense I seemed when it came time for putting. Now they openly admit I'm probably the best behind the flat stick out of our group. I accredit the Edel process 100%.

I'm not saying that you need to completely adopt the process as it's quite intense.. but as a mechanically-minded individual, I'm sure you'd really enjoy it and could possibly apply some of the theories to your work with your putters. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the input, really useful idea and something I will look into. I can see how that would benefit the making process too

[DStar]

On 3/27/2022 at 5:24 AM, Tincuptim said:

I would like the "D" at the heel not on the toe. Also custom initials that could be engraved and colored. Looks really sharp though. Keep it up!

I can put the D anywhere or nowhere if that's what was required. The idea of the removable plate on the rear cavity is to allow for custom engraving  

15 hours ago, bluesmandan76 said:

Steve, can you mill the face with the lines going horizontally instead of vertically? 

I can mill it in any direction  

 

[DStar]

Did a little video now that the neck is finished: 

 

 

[bluesmandan76]

On 3/28/2022 at 1:21 AM, DStar said:

I can put the D anywhere or nowhere if that's what was required. The idea of the removable plate on the rear cavity is to allow for custom engraving  

I can mill it in any direction  

 

I usually see vertical lines on faces... but supposedly horizontal lines produce better roll. I think Guerin Rife did a bunch of research on it, which is why Rife and Evnroll both use horizontal lines... I think Sik does, too.

[DStar]

Finally got the weights finished and learned how to engrave on the curved sole

Weights are 8 & 18g.

[DStar]

And it's finished  No paint fill for a super-clean finish. 

Just need the shaft & grip to come available but will be going with a KBS OneStep shaft, GolfPride SNSR Contour Pro grip.

Specs as follows:

304 stainless steel head & neck: 337g head only

316 stainless steel weights with o-ring seals: 7g light, 17g heavy (light have been torched to give a different colour)

Lowest weight is 351g, heaviest weight is 371g

3° loft

72° lie

Made my own weight tool too in aluminium with stainless steel pins:

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by DStar

[Rickp]

3 hours ago, DStar said:

And it's finished  No paint fill for a super-clean finish. 

Just need the shaft & grip to come available but will be going with a KBS OneStep shaft, GolfPride SNSR Contour Pro grip.

Specs as follows:

304 stainless steel head & neck: 337g head only

316 stainless steel weights with o-ring seals: 7g light, 17g heavy (light have been torched to give a different colour)

Lowest weight is 351g, heaviest weight is 371g

3° loft

72° lie

Made my own weight tool too in aluminium with stainless steel pins:

 

Very nice job!!  As an old time Tool&Die Maker and Engineer I’m impressed

[DStar]

17 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Very nice job!!  As an old time Tool&Die Maker and Engineer I’m impressed

Thanks Rick