Semi-Custom Putter I'm Making

[8802Gator]

Figured the few golf folks here might wanna see this. My dad was friends with a custom putter maker named T.P. Mills when I was born. T.P. heard my dad was having a kid so he made me a custom putter and gave it to my dad. My Godson was born not long ago, and I wanna make him a semi custom putter similar to the one I have. Since I don't have the money for a full Mills custom I figured taking a cheap Spalding Mills head and modifying it is the next best thing. So far all I've really accomplished it grinding off the Spalding lettering. Next step is sanding out all the old Knicks and bumps. Then I'll polish it, do some custom lettering and then figure out what kinda finish I wanna do on it. But I'll update this thread as the work progresses. 1st pic is what the lettering looked like, and now how the sole looks. 2nd and 3rd pics are my T.P Mills. Thats sorta what I'm aiming for with the final product.

 

[8802Gator]

1st round of sanding with the coarser stuff is done. I also beveled a few of the sharper edges, and removed the old paint fill.

 

[8802Gator]

Did the lettering, and a few more rounds of polishing

 

[cover2]

Man, that’s awesome. I had a TPM putter like that when I was in college. Bought it at Edwin Watts and used it for about a year before somebody pilfered it from my bag. Great putter. Your Godson will really appreciate it one day. Also, you do some fine work!

 

[8802Gator]

Man, that’s awesome. I had a TPM putter like that when I was in college. Bought it at Edwin Watts and used it for about a year before somebody pilfered it from my bag. Great putter. Your Godson will really appreciate it one day. Also, you do some fine work!

Thanks C2. I've decided to cold blue it. Gonna do 1 last round of polishing today and then blue it tomorrow and do the paint fill. Then I gotta track down a shaft for it. Those old pencil shafts aren't easy to find these days. Might have to buy a whole other putter and pull the shaft. But they are pretty cheap so that's a plus.

 

[8802Gator]

Had this old thing laying around and it had the shaft I needed in it, and it was in surprisingly good condition. It's a little short but I can extend it.

 

[8802Gator]

Got 3 coats of Birchwood Casey Super Blue on it. Nice even finish came out beautiful. It's a little darker in person than the pictures suggest. Next step is paint fill.

 

[8802Gator]

When it comes to doing paint fill its all about precision and a delicate touch.

 

[8802Gator]

Blued, buffed, paint filled, and a coat of wax for good measure. Head is done. Gotta prep the shaft now. Then I'm gonna order a nice leather grip for it.

 

[URGatorBait]

Gotta prep the shaft now.

 

[8802Gator]

It's gotta be nice and clean before you slide it in.

 

[URGatorBait]

It's gotta be nice and clean before you slide it in.

 

[8802Gator]

Once the shaft is dry I'll slide a rubber on it, and go whack a few balls. Hopefully sink a few into the hole. Who knows?

 

[URGatorBait]

Once the shaft is dry I'll slide a rubber on it, and go whack a few balls. Hopefully sink a few into the hole. Who knows?

 

[8802Gator]

Unfortunately the shaft I was gonna use isn't gonna work, so I bought another cheap TPM 4 off Ebay with a decent shaft that I'll use. I also picked up a Grip Masters leather putter grip to give it that nice vintage look. In the meantime I did another coat of Blue on the hosel because it was a little thin there. Heres a few picks of the finish in natural light.

 

[8802Gator]

It's basically done. The orange grip is a place holder until the black leather one I ordered arrives. Just wanted to get something on it so I could make sure it's weighted properly.

 

[OBG]

That's pretty impressive 8802

 

[8802Gator]

Doesn't need it's own thread so I'll stick it in here. My old Wilson was looking a bit run down so I gave it the same treatment. I also changed the factory white and red lettering to something a bit more appropriate.

 

[8802Gator]

Got a new wedge. Decided to black it all out except for a splash of color where I paid a little homage to our honorary Mr 2 Bits for the weekend.