Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: Alvaro on June 25, 2012, 12:51:12 PM
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Now, I am not good with wood (and even then I own no tools other than a drill and a basic Wilko tool box), but I have a very talented woodworker of a Father-in-Law. He has a bunch of Victorian planes and a spokeshave that belonged to his Grandfather, a master cabinet maker. He doesn't play cricket, nor is he interested in it past the fact that he knows I muddle through a season like a brainless Brearley.
He does, however, like a challenge.
With this is mind I had a punt on one of Peplow's clearance clefts for a small fee that wouldn't end my world if it all went wrong. I then broached the idea with Patrick (FiL) and he jumped at the idea - he asked to borrow a bat for a reference and I gave him my Paradox LE and a load of links to Laver/J Millichamp and other batmaking videos, as well as Beachy's blog (which received high praise). He said that the most useful videos were ones from factories in India, which is interesting.
He came to dinner yesterday and brought the work in progress with him. I couldn't believe it... I'd love to hear your thoughts, please bear in mind this is the first attempt he's ever done (weight at the moment is 1158 grams) so be kind:
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/DSC_0375.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/DSC_0374.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/DSC_0372.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/DSC_0371.jpg)
Picks up okay, and the rebound is good out of the middle.
And here it be:
The finished bat: 2lb 12oz with snake grip and antiscuff
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/IMAG0104.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/IMAG0105.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/IMAG0111.jpg)
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd117/fake_street_spirit/Bats/IMAG0108.jpg)
Overall, it's a great effort - the pickup is good and the rebound is okay - will surely open up with some knocking in.Thanks for looking.
A
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very nice, looks like he's done/ doing a good job of the shaping etc. looking forward to seeing it finished!
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nice - so a shade under 2lbs 9 with no binding and will a little polishing to go.
that is a really amazing first go - he clearly has a gift!.
The middle is quite high and the handle needs a little shaping, perhaps, but the shoulders look perfect.
Brilliant!
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Love the shape
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nice - so a shade under 2lbs 9 with no binding and will a little polishing to go.
that is a really amazing first go - he clearly has a gift!.
The middle is quite high and the handle needs a little shaping, perhaps, but the shoulders look perfect.
Brilliant!
Thanks, Buzz.
I was really chuffed when I saw it. Shame he's nearly 70, cos there may have been a little business opportunity! It is a pretty accurate copy of the Redback I lent him.
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very nice, looks like he's done/ doing a good job of the shaping etc. looking forward to seeing it finished!
Thanks Fletch - I'm looking forward to the finished bat too!
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Wow, that really is quite impressive. Can't wait to see the end result.
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Great 1st effort that, bat maker in the making!
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Lovely job
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Nice profile :).
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One of the best first attempts i've seen in a while, it will look excellent when finished.
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Thanks, Buzz.
I was really chuffed when I saw it. Shame he's nearly 70, cos there may have been a little business opportunity! It is a pretty accurate copy of the Redback I lent him.
Hi everyone,
Great topic for my first post. This is brilliant mate, for a first-time effort! So what if he is 70; so was Col. Sanders :)
We all know where KFC is now...
I would say, have him train an apprentice or perhaps you could pick up a few tips here and there, and keep going...
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fantatsic first effort - more than anything I would say that it appears that he has a real 'feel' for the willow. Lovely lines and shape on that bat. Finish off those shoulders and it's going to look the dog's danglies :)
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A champ FiL you have got mate ;) its impressive, he did sterling work there!
The shape is exactly like Paradox so amazing work conisdering it was his first ever bat. Shows how talented he is!
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Tell him this was a nice attempt but not good enough and hand him 4-5 clefts ;)...really nice work
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Just an update - I have the finished bat with me now, apart from the binding which I will attempt later. The finish is of a lovely quality - it hasn't been buffed/polished. So, would people recommend bat wax as opposed to raw linseed?
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OP updated
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Top work, nice to see it finished. I'd use a buffing wheel and a maybe some salix bat wax should do the trick, if not try some Fiddes Supreme wax polish.
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Thanks Fletch.
I put some Salix bat wax on this evening - I held back a little though, didn't want to go mad and make it look like it was made in 1956 :D
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I used this for the first time tonight in a friendly - 27* with four well hit boundaries. The pickup is really nice and with some more knocking in will be a really good bat.