107 replies to this topic

[sergizmo]

Good night WRXers,

This making of thread will be very detailed and thorough and show what goes into making a Deschamps Putter.

The first step for every putter is the order form. It is critical that the customer (in this case tester) is on the same page as I am regarding all specs and visual details. Often we will go back and forth to get things set. I will advise if something is not possible in terms of stamping placement and will offer suggestions with regards to specs, alignment aids, stampings, engravings, finish, paintfill, etc... if asked.

Here is a pic of the completed order forms along with requested grips. Boring pic, but you gotta start somewhere.


Next up is drawing all the requested putters up in CAD to get the correct weight. After a while with a model I build up all the weights (both with center shaft and necks) but this is a brand new model. The weight is controlled by cutout depth and size. I still have to do the dimensioned drawings (draft drawings) on a couple of there, they are just raw CAD files now. These head drawings take into account neck weight when applicable.

TimDelgado's (370G center shaft)

muxi87's (360G short flow)

timbo08's (365 plumber)

Tim G's (375 long flow)


Next up is finishing up the dimensioned drawings. Then it's on to toolpaths/CNC programming.

Serge

[muxi87]

Here we go.  Can't wait Serge!

[timbo08]

So pumped!  This is going to be awesome, I feel like a kid at Christmas!

[Tim Delgado]

Having never before ordered a custom putter, I was impressed by how detailed the ordering form was for my Deschamps putter.

The process was incredibly thorough and made for some fun decision-making.

Here are some of the items that are custom-fit to each Deschamps putter order.  Along with all kinds of custom options I had to select from when putting my Deschamps putter order together:

Loft
Lie
Finish (VERY tough to choose from several cool finish options)
Weight
Shaft color
Grip
Custom Stamps
Paint Fill Color
Type of Alignment Lines
Neck Style

All of the available options gave me PLENTY to think about, and making my final custom selections was MUCH more fun than simply picking a putter from the rack at a golf shop.

This will also be the first time I have ever had a putter designed with an upright lie of 76*.

I was recently fitted on a putter-lie machine, and told that my height (6'7) calls for the upright lie.  But like most guys, I have always just used off-the-rack putters.  

While the custom finishes, stampings and designs are super-fun to choose from, I'm thinking that the actual proper loft & lie might be the REAL important stuff, and may make a big difference in my putting performance.  I know how critical it is to have your irons properly fit for lie & loft, and I've been told that having a properly fit putter can make a big difference too.      

Deschamps has several very cool finishes and it was NOT easy deciding on just one.

After much back-and-forth in my head, I finally ended up going with the antique finish (like in the photo below), plus black paintfill, and a black shaft.  

I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Serge was incredibly helpful and fast to respond to my numerous questions and special requests.  

This type of one-on-one service, directly with the putter maker, and the ability to create a one-of-a-kind custom putter to my exact specifications is a first for me, and I am VERY impressed with the Serge's attention to detail.    

Now that all the custom options are selected, I am eagerly awaiting the next step in the process.

Ordering a custom putter from Deschamps and getting ready for The Masters =    

Tim

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Tim Delgado, 05 April 2012 - 12:02 AM.

[enis750]

awesome thread, thanks Serg!
can't wait to see these finished up

[muxi87]

I guess a quick synopsis of my order:

I love my DelMar...so getting something similar handmade by Serge is awesome!!!

I went with the same specs as my current gamer:  33", 360g, short flow neck.

I asked Serge to give it his darkest finish.

My son is a golf fantatic alread...at only 21 months.  I figured I'd "theme" this after him...in the hopes that one day I'll pass it along to him.

On the back left bumper I went with his name in dancing stamps:  JONAH
On the back right bumper I went with his birthday in dancing stamps:  7-15-10 (with dots in the place of dashes)

All the paintfill will be in baby blue and white...at Serge's discretion.

Jonah and I share initials, so on the back top "cavity" I went with our initials:  JBW

I love the signature feature, so I had Serge put my signature on the toe side of the face...in white paintfill.

Serge's logo will be on the bottom...with some other writing:  MUXI87 CUSTOM BY SD

And the white jumbo Winn grip in the photo is mine...

I'm stoked...can't wait!!!

[scratchswinger]

Awesome Muxi!!! Your boy will love it when he gets older. I hope that it sinks a few putts before Jonah gets his hands on it. I cannot wait to see these putters, especially the center shaft.

[DarrinStojevich]

How much does a custom Dechampes putter cost... Say a center shaft blade anser style  say a four degree loft milled face. I'm not sure what materials you use, but stainless or carbon steel is probably where I'd go... I know it's a specific question, but I'm really wanting to buy and have some say in the design of a putter, but most are pretty insanely priced... As well many have every right to be....

[DarrinStojevich]

I'm actually very interested and intrigued by an aluminium putter head....

[sergizmo]

All dimensioning has been finished and toolpaths (and CNC programs) are complete. I have a pretty simple CAM package that works great for making putters. No need for a ton of functionality.

The following programs were needed:
1) Stage 1 all weights
2) Stage 2 370 center shaft
3) Stage 2 375 with neck (360 putter head)
4) Stage 2 365 with neck (350 putter head)
5) Stage 2 360 with neck (345 putter head)
6) RH topline neck cutout
7) LH topline neck cutout

To start the stock length, width, depth was inputted in the CAM software and an origin (X and Y zero) set. From there lines were drawn to represent the border of the areas to be milled. After that the toolpaths were set up by selection a tool and setting cutting parameters. Once toolpaths are established they can be simulated. From that the code can be generated and modified as needed.

Stage 1 (outside profile from the top) is the same for all weights and therefor requires only one program. Stage 2 varies in the depth of the top and bottom cutouts to achieve the desired weight. As they are similar I will only show one. The neck cutout is a separate program and there is one for both RH and LH. This is a simple toolpath so only the simulations will be shown.

Stage 1 toolpaths:


Stage 1 simulation:


Stage 2 toolpaths:


Stage 2 simulation:


RH neck cutout simulation:


LH neck cutout simulation:


With the code (programs) finished the next steps are cutting the stock and milling.

Serge

[Tim Delgado]

Looks like the beginning of a very clean-looking mallet!  

Thanks for the details on the process.

For anyone that hasn't seen them yet, the photos of the milling process on deschampsputters.com are pretty neat.

Tim

[Tgaestel]

I am really excited to putt with one of these amazing putters! Serge you're the man!

[muxi87]

Thanks for the update serge!

[timbo08]

Great update Serge!  Can't wait to get this in my hands!

[freddyottawa]

awesome thread, you guys are so lucky. Serge is a great guy to work with.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

You four testers, are going to be floored with what you receive!  I have had mine for about 2 weeks and after 3 rounds of golf..it is IN THE BAG!  and no quarrels about why or if or what...it just performs...Serge's design is NAILS with the way it rolls the ball, comes off SO CLEAN and PURE!  Forget inserts...nope..don't need them.  Feel is amazing and you all will be hard pressed to leave it at home!

MTLJEFF knows what I am talking about.  Everyone who has hit mine is amazed and NOT blown away by the cost!

HTR-365 grams-Flow Neck-2* loft(don't need anymore).  WOW!

[Tim Delgado]

I've been a centershaft mallet guy for a while.  Interesting to see so many golfers just now discovering the benefits of using a mallet-style putter.

I am seeing more and more threads asking about mallet putters here.

This design looks to be a perfect transition (size-wise) for guys that have always used an Anser-style putter, and are looking to move to a mallet-style for the obvious performance benefits.

Tim

[sergizmo]

Big update!

With all the programming done for the heads it was time to cut some stock. For the MM the stock size is 2" by 1". I buy 3 or 4 foot lengths and cut down from there.
The heel-toe length on the MM is 3.750" so the cut length is about 3.9".


After all 5 blanks are cut (one for me too! ) the edges are deburred and the 4 large sides draw filed to remove any high spots.

Stage one sits very high up in the vise with only about .062" being clamped. The raw stock has rounded edges that could cause a problem (parts not clamping properly). Because of this I skim .010" off the 1" wide sides to square up the corners a bit. Setting the Z zero (tool height) with some wrapping paper (Yes, this is all I use this stuff for.).

The tool is raised up, moved off the part and lowered to Z-0.010 to remove .010" off the side by using manual jogging at 40 inches per minute (no program). The cutter used for all of this update is a 3/8" 3 flute high helix carbide end mill with 1.125" cutting length.

All five blanks are prepped this way. After the first side is done, I lower the Z another .010" and mill .010" off the other 1" wide side of all the blanks.

Here is the part clamped in the vise. Notice how little is actually held in the jaws.

With the part clamped in it is time to do some edge-finding. The spindle is set to 1,000 RPM and the X edge is found. This will be the same for all parts.

The Y is now edgefound. I use a magnet on the back of the vise as a stop to locate the blank repeatedly for all 5 parts. It is slid out of the way during machining.

The Z zero is set as it was before. With this the X, Y and Z axis have been zeroed as per the program. (Top right corner, top of part.)

Mach 3 control screen. We are ready to go!

The top is milled off (.010") at 40 inches per minute. This was programmed manually (No toolpath generation, just math).

First rough. Cutting parameters: 7,000 RPM, .050" depth of cut, 40 inches per minute feed rate (Refer to previous update for toolpath pic)

Second rough.

Third and final rough.

Finish pass on the profile. Full depth and feed rate of 25 inches per minute.

Stage 1 finished with the part cleaned off.

Doing some measuring after the first part to make sure everything is OK. (It was). Milled the next four parts.

Brass chip after all five parts. This is vacuumed in a shop vac and will be collected and recycled. (more on that later).

All five parts after stage 1.


Next up is stage 2 where we will see some variation depending on weights (cavity depth).

More to come.

Serge

[muxi87]

Now that is flat out cool.

Awesome pics and details.

[scratchswinger]

Awesome. I really want to see how these come out. Great thread Serge!!!

Edited by scratchswinger, 15 April 2012 - 09:12 PM.

[timbo08]

Thanks for the update Serge!  They look so pretty! LOL

[Dscvrr St Louis]

Awesome stuff...!! Cool to see all the details on how it is being done...my HTR is hitting the course again this weekend..!!  Make some putts, make some money!!

[Tgaestel]

I have always been curious about how this is done and I am really excited to test this putter out! I have a lot of golf coming up and will be good to have something that is so unique and so new!

[Tim Delgado]

Great photos Serge!

These look good enough RIGHT NOW to stick a shaft in and play!  

Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look at the making of a Mid Mallet Deschamps putter.  

Tim

[QWKDTSN]

Really cool.  I dig the process that you're using.  It's semi-high tech with the computer control, but there's still a strong element of human interaction, not just plonking in a billet and letting the machine do everything.

[sergizmo]

scratchswinger, on 15 April 2012 - 07:46 PM, said:

Awesome. I really want to see how these come out. Great thread Serge!!!

Thanks, glad you are enjoying it!

QWKDTSN, on 16 April 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

Really cool.  I dig the process that you're using.  It's semi-high tech with the computer control, but there's still a strong element of human interaction, not just plonking in a billet and letting the machine do everything.

Thank you. I'm very happy with where things are at in terms of process. I use the advantages that the technology has to offer while still providing a lot of personal service and craftsmanship.

Serge

[sergizmo]

muxi87, on 15 April 2012 - 07:45 PM, said:

Now that is flat out cool.

Awesome pics and details.

timbo08, on 15 April 2012 - 08:01 PM, said:

Thanks for the update Serge!  They look so pretty! LOL

Tgaestel, on 16 April 2012 - 09:04 AM, said:

I have always been curious about how this is done and I am really excited to test this putter out! I have a lot of golf coming up and will be good to have something that is so unique and so new!

Thank you gentlemen. It's good to see you like the way things are shaping up.

Serge

[sergizmo]

Tim Delgado, on 16 April 2012 - 10:38 PM, said:

Great photos Serge!

These look good enough RIGHT NOW to stick a shaft in and play!  

Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look at the making of a Mid Mallet Deschamps putter.  

Tim

Patience Tim.  

More update coming.

Serge

[sergizmo]

Dscvrr St Louis, on 15 April 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

Awesome stuff...!! Cool to see all the details on how it is being done...my HTR is hitting the course again this weekend..!!  Make some putts, make some money!!

Good stuff Leif. That's what I'm talking 'bout.

Serge

[Dscvrr St Louis]

sergizmo, on 17 April 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

Dscvrr St Louis, on 15 April 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

Awesome stuff...!! Cool to see all the details on how it is being done...my HTR is hitting the course again this weekend..!!  Make some putts, make some money!!

Good stuff Leif. That's what I'm talking 'bout.

Serge

Better Stuff...we shot  -15 for the tourney...!! Won it!! Split $160 for that, but had 2 out of 6 skins...another $106 to split!!  I was putting 3rd in the rotation...one of my putts won us a skin...35 footer(no good approaches on this par 4..tough one), with about 2.5 feet of break on it from left to right...rolled in the side door where is was supposed to ...with speed!!  Made about 5-6 of the birdie(one eagle) putts this tourney!  One guy afterwards was amazed at how I rolled the ball with my HTR...I wasn't...rolled just amazingly good as always!!

This putter rolls great Serge!!  Design is super solid...!  Had two Camerons...now I have one...I don't keep more than two putters!