Putter Project

SkipHopStop · March 24, 2006

Need CNC help

I am building a new putter. This is for me, and not something I am going to try to sell or anything.

I have some very detailed drawings I did on a software program MS Visio. The two pieces I need CNC cut are EXTREMELY simple shapes. The only angle is the lofted face. Everything else is really clean and easy.

I'm just looking for someone that can convert my drawings into CNC "speak" and have them cut from a small block of 303 ss.

Anybody have the ability to help a guy out??? :)

Skip

SkipHopStop · March 24, 2006

C'mon guys ... GolfWRX is suppopsed to have the best of the best!!! Yur supposed to know EVERYTHING!!!

tanj · March 25, 2006

Uh mate? you've only waited on 1 and a half hours. What your talking is not done everyone's alley, let alone most. I'm sure someone will come along and help you. It's just a matter of time. Be patient.

Josh

sergizmo · March 25, 2006

I am building a new putter. This is for me, and not something I am going to try to sell or anything.

I have some very detailed drawings I did on a software program MS Visio. The two pieces I need CNC cut are EXTREMELY simple shapes. The only angle is the lofted face. Everything else is really clean and easy.

I'm just looking for someone that can convert my drawings into CNC "speak" and have them cut from a small block of 303 ss.

Anybody have the ability to help a guy out??? :)

Skip

Skip,

What you need to do is contact local machine shops and see if MS Visio can be converted into the CNC language they are using (usually some version of Fanuc) via MasterCam. If not, you may have to re-draw it in another program (Solid Edge, Solid Works, Ideas etc...) that can be converted. Or they could re-draw it for you. If the design is simple without any complex profiling or blended radiuses it will be possible for them to code it by hand.

Be sure to include tolerances with the drawing (ie +/- .005", +/- .002" etc). This lets the machinists know how careful they have to be with tool wear, tool deflection etc. The tighter the tolerances, the higher the cost and the longer it will take.

If you are just doing a "one-off" putter it will be very expensive. They have to convert and optimize the drawing/code, load the correct tools and set the offsets, design and make fixturing, get the material, run a part and check the dimensioning, probably run another after some program/offset modification etc... Even though it is only one putter, there is a lot of time spent before actually machining in preparation and the shop has to make it worth it's while. You may be looking at $500 or more for one putter.

As a less expensive alternative, you could contact the machining program at a local college/trade school. Mabye a group of students could do it as a project for their CNC Practical class. It's worth a shot.

I hope that these suggestions are helpful. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Serge

Lord Thomas · March 25, 2006

Even if you are looking to do a limited run of 10 - 15 putters, and you provide them the math data in the correct format if you contact a machine shop a price quote of $500 per piece is not unheard of, even if you try and outsource it to the Far East. Best of luck with the putter, its always fun to putt with something you designed.

Go Blue!

Thomas