Our first putter design realized

[Lazlo]

[quote name='Nick-A' timestamp='1344588885' post='5442568']
[size=5][sub]Looks a bit weird with the front plate being so straightly lined almist rectangular looking, while the back weight has more to a flow on it (prefer the latter by far)[/sub][/size]
[/quote]Hi, Nick.
I assume you are talking about the face when you say front plate. We have since redesigned with the toe angling down, and a slightly different heal. The bumpers will basically stay the same. Once we prove out the program we will be posting, and are very excited about it. With that said, how do you feel about the look of the back plate itself? The emblem?
Tim

[nfinch10]

I think the back cavity would look more classy if it was simply engraved with your logo. To me, the black badge kind of "cheapens" (for lack of a better term) the look. I do think you have a good looking putter going there overall though.

[Lazlo]

[quote name='nfinch10' timestamp='1344710424' post='5450594']
I think the back cavity would look more classy if it was simply engraved with your logo. To me, the black badge kind of "cheapens" (for lack of a better term) the look. I do think you have a good looking putter going there overall though.
[/quote]How's it going,
This is exactly the kind of feedback we want. Believe me, with the market we intend to enter the idea of "this looks cheap" scares the hell out of us. The engraving plate has a very real-world advantage in terms of bottom line, but we will not let that a few dollars drive the design process.
Question-
Is there any scenario where you see an engraving place such as this not cheapening the look (like a different material such as brass, or a finish that was closer to the color of the actual putter)?
Again, thanks for taking the time to comment. You'd be amazed at how much the forum feedback has shaped our thinking, and we appreciate it immensely .
Tim

[drumdude96]

[quote name='Lazlo' timestamp='1342444565' post='5284378']
[quote name='tommyrobson' timestamp='1342443362' post='5284286']
I assume those holes on the back are aesthetic?

or do they help with the putting?


I like the look
[/quote]Hi, Tommy.
You are correct. In the first design they we going to be weight pockets. My partner Zac, a very talented machinist, explained what happens when you try to go .75" into 1018 steel with an eight inch endmill. But we both agreed that they looked kind of cool so we just pocketed out really shallow and paint filled them.
[/quote]

As a tool and die maker myself, I read that and thought "why in the heck would they need an 8 inch endmill to make that?!", then I realized you meant a 1/8" endmill. It's entirely possible to make a 3/4" deep pocket with an endmill that small. Just use a 3 or 4 flute carbide endmill with enough flute length to go down that far. Predrill a clearance hole so that you're not plunge cutting with the endmill, and make sure you've got the correct speeds/feeds programmed into your CNC machine. And flood the heck out of the endmill/pocket to wash the chips out of the way. You'll have to step down and make several passes to cut all that material out, but it's pretty easy to do, just time consuming. But if you're trying to get into the business of making boutique putters, I'm assuming they will be fairly pricey, so a long machining cycle shouldn't kill your bottom line too much.