Found my grandpas putter, Want to refinish it

[gmetcalf18]

Spalding Touring Pro Model TPM 1

Hey guys, my grandpa passed Nov 09 and hes the reason I'm on this website and a golfer at all. He took me out at 2 and had a club custom made for me, and ever since then the course has been my second him. He passed away on the 17th hole of the course I was a caddy at when I was a kid, just like the way he wanted to go. It was too soon and no one thought he was even close since he still golfed 3-4x a week and worked as well. Anyways that was 2 years ago now and I had just found his putter in my grandmas basement when I was putting her Xmas lights away for her this weekend. Its a Spalding Touring Pro Model TPM 1 its not in great shape, but its not in bad shape. I wanted to get a bit of knowledge on the putter it self from the experts, the limited research I found on it was that it was forged sometime in the 80s and then blackened by mills himself, it has the pencil neck i believe, but it has a stepped shaft where I've read it came with a step less shaft. Its got the stock leather grip on it and its still fairly new looking, unfortunatly its too long for me so I'm going to have it cut down and probally loose the grip. Anyways after all that I wanted to ask on here where to send it to get it refinished, and what I should do to it. I know deepmilling is all the rage, and I'm not going to lie I'd like to see what it feels like but I'm not sure if I want that on a classic putter like this. The condition is fair but I want to get it looking like new again in remembrance of my grandpa, and I wanted to have his initals stamped into it, and I'm going to game it. I've got a few pics I'm going to load, I'd love to hear your ideas on how to refinish it. He loved red cadillacs, and he graduated very high in his class at u of m so I'm thinking one of the two color combos would work, or keep it original with white and black which is more my prefrence. Thinking of paintfilling the initials maize and blue but who knows. I know there are threads on here about one shop vs the other and I've read a lot about Lamont and I'm really leaning twords him but I'm open to all ideas


Check the pics out and let me know what you guys think!



Thanks in advance I miss my grandfather who acted as my father very much and something cool like this will be a good way to have him with me on the course everytime

[avgjoe]

Iiwm, I'd leave that one just as is... and find another to refinish

[mr.haha]

[quote name='avgjoe' timestamp='1326411521' post='4073871']
Iiwm, I'd leave that one just as is... and find another to refinish
[/quote]

as would i. keep that one as is.

[KYMAR]

That's carbon steel so very easy to get looking great again IMO.

I have done a couple of those. just steel wool out the rust and the remaining finish off then a finer and finer grades until the head is free from scratches etc. get some gun blue ( i got mine at walmart) and dip it in then rub it in with a rag, let dry then more fine steel wool to even it out. You can do as many steps of the gun blue then steel wool as you wish. The darker it will get obviously the more you do.

Also i would try to make sure to get all of the paint fill out as part of the prep process. Those are nice wide stampings on the sole so whatever color you go with should turn out really well.

Glad you found that putter! That is a very sweet reminder to have out there with you.

Make sure you keep us updated on your progress.

[hebron1427]

That's a true gem of a putter, definitely. The mills one has been celebrated a lot. For lamont, spalding mills were one of the reasons he does what he does. i'm sure he'll give you the story if you decide to work with him.

besides lamont, there are a lot of people that will do work to it, but it probably wont be very cheap for any of them. one member on here (chappie?) has a custom spalding mills one that he had a guy from ebay do. you might check with him as to how he got his done.

you can also do the work yourself. I've started on a few older forged steel putters (including a TPM VI and a TPM II). It takes some work and patience, but it's pretty rewarding in the end to know your hands did something that special. http://thepowerfade.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/club-repair-restoring-a-putter-part-1/

if we can help at all, let us know. this membership is tremendous for these types of things.

[gmetcalf18]

I've got his whole set with a different putter that he had with him when he passed and I haven't touched those. Its a nice combo set of eye2 and zings, all original but I'll take em out next summer because I played those with him when I was getting too big for my grandmas clubs shouldn't have admitted that but I played em for half a season when I didn't have mens clubs



I fired off an email to LaMont I think I'd like him to do it just based on his history which I'd like to hear more about the connection between him and the TP Mills Spaldings


Any other suggestions I'm all ears boys and girls

[hebron1427]

[quote name='gmetcalf18' timestamp='1326413558' post='4074039']
I've got his whole set with a different putter that he had with him when he passed and I haven't touched those. Its a nice combo set of eye2 and zings, all original but I'll take em out next summer because I played those with him when I was getting too big for my grandmas clubs shouldn't have admitted that but I played em for half a season when I didn't have mens clubs



I fired off an email to LaMont I think I'd like him to do it just based on his history which I'd like to hear more about the connection between him and the TP Mills Spaldings


Any other suggestions I'm all ears boys and girls
[/quote]

he's also here on golfwrx and watches this forum closely. his sn is golfluvzme, FYI.

[MassGolf1980]

I would do this one yourself. It's great that you found something you can use to help keep your grandfathers spirit alive out on the course. You can easily re-finish this yourself. Good luck!

[sean2221]

The TP Mills putter company is still in business today in Tuscaloosa Alabama. David Mills, T.P.'s son is till making great putters and also restores them. Jay Green is the TP Mills company representative and would probably have some more information for you about your Mills putter and will have some options for you to get your putter restored through the TP Mills shop. Jay's username on the board here is Glenwayputters to shoot him a PM or you can email him at [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email] . David Mills grew up watching T.P. craft putters so no one will restore your putter closer to its original specs than David Mills.

LaMont is an amazing craftsman also and does great work and would be another great option to get your putter back to its original condition also. I had him work on multiple putters for me.

Good luck with your putter. You have a good one!

Best wishes!
Sean

[Snufles]

There is nothing wrong with the condition it is in, keep it as he left it.

[whateverworks]

Hey guys, my grandpa passed Nov 09 and hes the reason I'm on this website and a golfer at all. He took me out at 2 and had a club custom made for me, and ever since then the course has been my second him. He passed away on the 17th hole of the course I was a caddy at when I was a kid, just like the way he wanted to go. It was too soon and no one thought he was even close since he still golfed 3-4x a week and worked as well. Anyways that was 2 years ago now and I had just found his putter in my grandmas basement when I was putting her Xmas lights away for her this weekend. Its a Spalding Touring Pro Model TPM 1 its not in great shape, but its not in bad shape. I wanted to get a bit of knowledge on the putter it self from the experts, the limited research I found on it was that it was forged sometime in the 80s and then blackened by mills himself, it has the pencil neck i believe, but it has a stepped shaft where I've read it came with a step less shaft. Its got the stock leather grip on it and its still fairly new looking, unfortunatly its too long for me so I'm going to have it cut down and probally loose the grip. Anyways after all that I wanted to ask on here where to send it to get it refinished, and what I should do to it. I know deepmilling is all the rage, and I'm not going to lie I'd like to see what it feels like but I'm not sure if I want that on a classic putter like this. The condition is fair but I want to get it looking like new again in remembrance of my grandpa, and I wanted to have his initals stamped into it, and I'm going to game it. I've got a few pics I'm going to load, I'd love to hear your ideas on how to refinish it. He loved red cadillacs, and he graduated very high in his class at u of m so I'm thinking one of the two color combos would work, or keep it original with white and black which is more my prefrence. Thinking of paintfilling the initials maize and blue but who knows. I know there are threads on here about one shop vs the other and I've read a lot about Lamont and I'm really leaning twords him but I'm open to all ideas

 

 

Check the pics out and let me know what you guys think!

 

 

 

Thanks in advance I miss my grandfather who acted as my father very much and something cool like this will be a good way to have him with me on the course everytime

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a carbon steel head so any type finish can be applied to it. Just had a friend have the same exact putter deep milled and finshed in Pro Plat and it looks great. I would keep it gun blue myself but the deep mill isn't a bad idea. All of TP Mills putters are perfectly playable now. I have a Tour Series I'm going to have refinished sometime.

[Chappie]

These putters are awesome, and you can do a lot to them, refinishing wise. I happen to have a custom-refinished TPM I and, well... it's amazing.

 

[gmetcalf18]

Wow. That refinished one is amazing. Now I don't know what to do! I love the look of the custom refinish, I also like the idea of having TP's son redo it and make it close to original with the stamping, but then again the option to deep mill and try that out on something I already have. Decisions decisions, thanks for all the input I appreciate the contact info as well, I haven't heard back from LaMont yet but I'm going to PM and hope I hear back that way. I'm still open to options if anyone else wants to throw out any ideas



Thanks again guys

Garrett

[CWB]

A couple version's are have some Magnesium.

be careful if heat is applied.

ebay has some cheap to practice on
and
http://www.caswellplating.com/vht/index.html
has lots of products

[Chappie]

David Mills can refinish that putter to any style you desire. They do beautiful work on all their products and will put snow on it like in this putter, and can do similar type finishes. I wouldn't hesitate to send it to him, man is a true artist.

[Snufles]

[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1326738647' post='4093775']
David Mills can refinish that putter to any style you desire. They do beautiful work on all their products and will put snow on it like in this putter, and can do similar type finishes. I wouldn't hesitate to send it to him, man is a true artist.
[/quote]

Did David do the one in the pics? Damn that is some sexy bit of green porn.

[TheMackDaddy]

What is this talk about gun blue? How much? And where can I buy? Walmart?

[Snufles]

[quote name='TheMackDaddy' timestamp='1326752998' post='4095095']
What is this talk about gun blue? How much? And where can I buy? Walmart?
[/quote]

[url="http://www.caswellplating.com/"]http://www.caswellplating.com/[/url]


I think the only way to get it is to order it online.

[dunahoo]

i love these style putters. would love to see it refinished for sure!

[Chappie]

[quote name='Snufles' timestamp='1326752671' post='4095063']
[quote name='Chappie' timestamp='1326738647' post='4093775']
David Mills can refinish that putter to any style you desire. They do beautiful work on all their products and will put snow on it like in this putter, and can do similar type finishes. I wouldn't hesitate to send it to him, man is a true artist.
[/quote]

Did David do the one in the pics? Damn that is some sexy bit of green porn.
[/quote]

David did not, but he very easily can and he has some custom finishes that make this one look silly by comparison. This one was done via a guy on eBay whom I purchased it from. He only refinishes what he finds and then sells them, however, so he really isn't an option unfortunately ( or else I'd be giving him some business here and there, lol).

[gmetcalf18]

After thinking about it all day today, as it was his birthday would have been #75 today. I'm going to have David do it, have him do whatever he wants and add the stamps for me. I know they're a sponsor do they have a screen name here or should I get a hold of them through their website?



Thanks for all the advice I'm going to have it done soon and I'll post when its back to me



edit: I just tried to email them and it got bounced back, if anyone has contact info let me know [email="[email protected]"][b][size="2"][email protected][/size][/b][/email] isn't working right now my gmail sent an instant mailer demon with it

[hebron1427]

[quote name='gmetcalf18' timestamp='1326951391' post='4115339']
After thinking about it all day today, as it was his birthday would have been #75 today. I'm going to have David do it, have him do whatever he wants and add the stamps for me. I know they're a sponsor do they have a screen name here or should I get a hold of them through their website?



Thanks for all the advice I'm going to have it done soon and I'll post when its back to me



edit: I just tried to email them and it got bounced back, if anyone has contact info let me know [email="[email protected]"][b][size="2"][email protected][/size][/b][/email] isn't working right now my gmail sent an instant mailer demon with it
[/quote]

look for glenwayputters (or is it glenawayputters?). he'll put you in touch.

[PINGWRXforeme]

I say go with your heart. If my grandpa gave me say his first car in a will, the first thing in my thoughts would be to bring it back to life. Why keep it the old rusted memory. But to some the old original memories are worth more. It's totally up to you.

[Chappie]

glenwayputters on this board is a rep for David and he also works directly with him. Contact him and you'll be good to go. You can also find him (more actively) over at putter talk.

[gmetcalf18]

Well, this sucks.

Garrett
We no longer refinish the Spalding putters, but I will be glad to recommend someone that will do a great job for you. His name is Kevin Colbert and he can be reached at [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email].
Let him know that I recommended him to you.

Thank you,
Jay
Jay Green
T.P. Mills Co.
Piedmont Leather Co.

After getting that, and not getting an answer from LaMont I'm somewhat confused. I've never heard of who he suggested, has anyone here? If anyone knows anyone that would actually want to do this feel free to let me know I guess isn't as easy as I thought. I rather leave it as is than try my first refinish on a putter that means so much

[hebron1427]

[quote name='gmetcalf18' timestamp='1327183835' post='4131355']
Well, this sucks.

Garrett
We no longer refinish the Spalding putters, but I will be glad to recommend someone that will do a great job for you. His name is Kevin Colbert and he can be reached at [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email].
Let him know that I recommended him to you.

Thank you,
Jay
Jay Green
T.P. Mills Co.
Piedmont Leather Co.

After getting that, and not getting an answer from LaMont I'm somewhat confused. I've never heard of who he suggested, has anyone here? If anyone knows anyone that would actually want to do this feel free to let me know I guess isn't as easy as I thought. I rather leave it as is than try my first refinish on a putter that means so much
[/quote]

yes, kevin colbert has a great reputation. you should check out his website (i think it's putterplating.com? just google him) for some examples of his work.

lamont has started another primary job (believe it or not, all of his putter business is actually not his primary work--this from a guy who's made putters for touring pros), so i think he just hasn't been focused on it.

if no one else will work with you, let me know. i've done these myself. might not be a quick turnaround, but i could probably do something for you if you wanted. there's also another member on here that might get you a quicker turnaround--sergioKSU. i had him do one of my scotty camerons--he was reasonably priced and did a pretty good job.

there's also tom slighter, who does some pretty amazing work. he'll be the most expensive option, likely.

[gmetcalf18]

You sir, are beyond helpful. Thank you so much.



Looks like Mr. Colbert will be getting my business, not my first choice but sometimes thats best


[quote name='hebron1427' timestamp='1327192004' post='4131819']
[quote name='gmetcalf18' timestamp='1327183835' post='4131355']
Well, this sucks.

Garrett
We no longer refinish the Spalding putters, but I will be glad to recommend someone that will do a great job for you. His name is Kevin Colbert and he can be reached at [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email].
Let him know that I recommended him to you.

Thank you,
Jay
Jay Green
T.P. Mills Co.
Piedmont Leather Co.

After getting that, and not getting an answer from LaMont I'm somewhat confused. I've never heard of who he suggested, has anyone here? If anyone knows anyone that would actually want to do this feel free to let me know I guess isn't as easy as I thought. I rather leave it as is than try my first refinish on a putter that means so much
[/quote]

yes, kevin colbert has a great reputation. you should check out his website (i think it's putterplating.com? just google him) for some examples of his work.

lamont has started another primary job (believe it or not, all of his putter business is actually not his primary work--this from a guy who's made putters for touring pros), so i think he just hasn't been focused on it.

if no one else will work with you, let me know. i've done these myself. might not be a quick turnaround, but i could probably do something for you if you wanted. there's also another member on here that might get you a quicker turnaround--sergioKSU. i had him do one of my scotty camerons--he was reasonably priced and did a pretty good job.

there's also tom slighter, who does some pretty amazing work. he'll be the most expensive option, likely.
[/quote]

[hebron1427]

kind of sad lamont couldn't get your work, but you also want to go with someone who has the time to do it. i know lamont has been VERY busy.

[quote name='gmetcalf18' timestamp='1327204999' post='4132853']
You sir, are beyond helpful. Thank you so much.



Looks like Mr. Colbert will be getting my business, not my first choice but sometimes thats best


[quote name='hebron1427' timestamp='1327192004' post='4131819']
[quote name='gmetcalf18' timestamp='1327183835' post='4131355']
Well, this sucks.

Garrett
We no longer refinish the Spalding putters, but I will be glad to recommend someone that will do a great job for you. His name is Kevin Colbert and he can be reached at [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email].
Let him know that I recommended him to you.

Thank you,
Jay
Jay Green
T.P. Mills Co.
Piedmont Leather Co.

After getting that, and not getting an answer from LaMont I'm somewhat confused. I've never heard of who he suggested, has anyone here? If anyone knows anyone that would actually want to do this feel free to let me know I guess isn't as easy as I thought. I rather leave it as is than try my first refinish on a putter that means so much
[/quote]

yes, kevin colbert has a great reputation. you should check out his website (i think it's putterplating.com? just google him) for some examples of his work.

lamont has started another primary job (believe it or not, all of his putter business is actually not his primary work--this from a guy who's made putters for touring pros), so i think he just hasn't been focused on it.

if no one else will work with you, let me know. i've done these myself. might not be a quick turnaround, but i could probably do something for you if you wanted. there's also another member on here that might get you a quicker turnaround--sergioKSU. i had him do one of my scotty camerons--he was reasonably priced and did a pretty good job.

there's also tom slighter, who does some pretty amazing work. he'll be the most expensive option, likely.
[/quote]
[/quote]

[captpat]

Has anyone seen one with a wooden back?