Making putters?

[Solidstrike]

I'm considering getting into making putters, either with a 3D printer or milling machine, or both.  Does anyone here do that as a hobby or have worked for a custom club maker and has had experience?  What do I need to buy to get going?   Any help is much appreciated.  

[mcounci2]

I'd imagine you'll need 303 stainless, CAD/CAM software, a mill and tooling, an Anser file, and you're off to the races.

[Solidstrike]

13 hours ago, mcounci2 said:

I'd imagine you'll need 303 stainless, CAD/CAM software, a mill and tooling, an Anser file, and you're off to the races.

Does CAD have any value if I'm using a hand mill?  CNC machine definitely too expensive.  

[JCAG]

The catch is not making them. The catch is selling them.

[Ger21]

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either with a 3D printer or milling machine, or both.

Do you plan on paying someone to 3D print from metal? While you can 3D print a plastic putter, it wouldn't be usable.

 

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Does CAD have any value if I'm using a hand mill?  CNC machine definitely too expensive.  

How do you plan on designing the putter(s)? Most would use CAD these days. If you want to 3D print, you'll need a 3D CAD model.

You can convert a small manual mill to CNC for under $1000

I suspect it would take years of experience to make a quality putter with a manual mill. About half as much with a CNC mill.

[MattM97]

First thing is if you're going to design your own I'd begin by learning how to render the putter in 3D. A lot of guys use Fusion360 as it's similar to AutoCAD but cheaper. The hardest part will be to find someone to mill it and that won't be cheap especially if they have to build fixtures, the easier route would be to probably 3D print them as there are companies that will print items for a cost, still not cheap but it's easier since no mounts have to be make just programming.

[VNutz]

Should you choose to do so, just be prepared for the cycle where people doubt you, then love your work, then hate you for being too busy. See nearly all the custom maker threads going right now.

[jonradus]

Oh man. Where’s @Opinder when you need him?…

 

 

[tdeutmeyer]

OP, you can make a lot of different putter shapes using a pencil/paper for your design, calipers, and a used mill with a Prototrak age 2/3d control for $5-$15k.   $500 for a good used vise and tool holders.  Conversational programming with no g/m codes to learn, and auto geometry location with math help.  This will get the job done, but You would not be competitive against the putter shops using CNC machines geared towards large production.

 

I say this as a 30 yr shop owner that has personally built a wide variety of molds, dies, custom fixtures, and machined parts for manufacturers all over the globe.

[cforselius]

I'd say that the toughest part of this is to actually design the putter using a 3D software. I believe everyone can learn how to draw a putter in CAD, the tricky part is to actually make something nice. And people here don't seem to realise that our friends overseas (read China) can make just about anything for next to nothing. I have designed countless of putters for myself since I'm a machine designer, which makes the first part of the job very cheap. Then I simply give the CAD file to a factory in China who produce my prototype for roughly 200-300 USD depending on the complexity. Add 50 USD for shipping and I have a prototype in 303SS for roughly 300 USD including import fees and what not. I wont speak for every factory in China, but the one I'm working with does an incredible job and the prototypes have come back looking exactly like the model with the weight spot on.