Custom Putter milling machine

Hi,

I am looking to mill a custom putter this summer and I am looking for advice with milling machines. I am looking at a couple different models right now and I am looking to see if anyone, (Maybe LaMont golfluvzme), knows what would be the best option, but also the least expensive option.

I am looking at Grizzly Drill/Mill with stand--model # G0704-- $1195

Grizzly drill/mill model # G0758-- $850

Grizzly mini milling machine model # G8689 $635

Taig micro mill $835

Thoughts and suggestions?

Thanks,

E

Bump. I'm getting ready to grab on of my own. Some of the CNC capable ones arent much more expensive either.. I'd like to hear some others' experiences.

Do you guys have milling/machining experience? You don't just need the mill either...you need cutters, inserts, holders, vices

Get to work!

no offense intended, but do you have any machining experience?

Are you planning on using alum or brass stock for your club heads? ...because other then that it's gonna be tough to have machines that small do decent work at a reasonable removal rate. This isn't just about speed... cut too fast and you burn up cutters, cut too slow and you burn up cutters.
what kind of RMS finish are you hoping for?
do you realize a decent (accurate) workholding setup is $200-400?
uncoated high speed steel tooling will cost you another $100 - 400? 1.5x (at least) that for cabide if you want to try to work harder stock.
Even a minimal set of inspection tools if $150+.
What are you going to do for chip containment?
Do you have an area where you can mount the machines to a concrete floor or a very very heavy base?

To give you an idea, here is someone with a fair bit of experience who DIY'd a CNC mill to do exactly what you speak of. Granted, you may not think you need CNC but it really depends on what kind of final product you want and how much experience you have with manuals.

[url="http://www.cnczone.com/forums/vertical-mill-lathe-project-log/96410-cnc-forum.html"]http://www.cnczone.c...-cnc-forum.html[/url]

You have a long road ahead of you. It is not a simple project, but can be accomplished for around $3500 dollars fairly easily (more if you buy stuff pre-made, less if you make more things yourself). This would include the mill, cnc components, software, and a decent selection of tooling. I helped my friend cnc convert a Grizzly G0704 (his money, I helped with various projects and designs). It was a long learning process.

There are several hobby cnc forums that I would check out, they will be much more useful than this as you will get many more knowledgeable people on those forums willing to help you out.

One of my favorite threads on this process is located here: (not a cnc forum, but a build thread for firearms machining)
[url="http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=168050"]http://www.brianenos...howtopic=168050[/url]

Here is a picture of the mill that I helped build out. Good luck!

[attachment=2832820:IMG_1153s.JPG]

Here is a couple of pics of the first putter we machined. It turned out ok, but not great. This is just to represent that although you have the tools, you still need knowledge of 3d modeling, CAM, and machining to be able to get a good product. We are still working on all three of those skills, and things are getting better.

[attachment=2832848:IMG_1440.JPG]

[attachment=2832850:IMG_1439.JPG]

I don't think someone has to spend thousands of dollars on machinery & tooling in order to make a homemade putter head. One of those mill/drill machines will get the job done fine. A little CNC machine would be the cat's meow, but you gotta pay.

[url="http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/"]Practical Machinist[/url] is a great resource. You can find guys of all abilities over there...but most guys are highly experienced.

Before purchasing one of those chinese units you might want to look around on craigslist or similar for a used machine.

I had a small South Bend lathe in the garage for a number of years and it sure came in handy. Been wanting a proper lathe and mill but just haven't gotten around to setting up the garage yet. Some day...

I guess I missed the mark a little. I assumed you were talking about a cnc conversion milling machine, not just a manual mill. A manual milling machine will definitely get the job done if you want to crank the handles. There is still much to learn, but those options you laid out there should get the job done. Good luck!