Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: Joe on July 02, 2012, 06:00:19 PM
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I have somewhat of an unhealthy obsession with toe guards. I am to toe guards what buzz is to thigh pads, and now having tried just about every method I think I may have found a solution.
So here is a brief outline of just about every toe guard method:
Shoe Goo:
Pros:
Cheap
Easy to apply
Cons:
Can peel or wear off
Pro Tips:
Applying superglue before the shoe goo will help it stay stuck. Folding it over (sometimes bridging the gap between toe and scuff sheet) also helps.
Normal Toe Guard:
Pros:
Cheap(ish)
Doesn't wear off
Cons:
Fiddly to apply
Peel/Fall off easily
Don't cover between scuff sheet and toe
Pro Tips:
Using Neoprene rather than a bought toe guard helps. Contact adhesive such as Evo-Stik is better than Fevibond also.
Linseed Oil:
Pros:
Cheap
Very easy to apply
Cons:
Doesn't prevent feathering
Only partly stops water intake
Doesn't prevent general wear and tear to the toe.
Epoxy Resin:
Pros:
Easy to apply
Cons:
Generally peel/crack off easily
If the crack may take part of the bat with them
Pro Tips:
Just don't
PVA Glue:
Pros:
Easy to apply
Cheap
Cons:
Generally peel/crack off easily
Not very effective at stopping feathering or moisture intake
Best Toe Guard
This is what I now do to my bats, works a treat.
Items needed:
Neoprene (1.5mm thick) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110894592522
Shoe Goo
Contact Adhesive http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370520742261
Scuff Sheet
The scuff sheet is cut off to the shape of the toe of the bat, and is placed as low as possible on the bat. A very thin layer of shoe goo is then applied, folding over the bat to go up 2-3mm of the scuff sheet. Then a neoprene toe guard is applied over the top of this using usual toe guard application methods. Finally, a layer of bat tape is placed over the shoe goo on the face to stop it peeling. This is very effective and stops all moisture getting into the toe of the bat.
Pros:
Completely effective - if done properly will last for a while and work very well
Cons:
Adds weight
Relatively expensive
Pro Tips:
Make sure you rough up the neoprene with some rough sandpaper first. Make sure you follow the instructions on the glue very carefully.
I plan to try and glue a toe guard on using Gorilla glue at some point, will let you know how that gets on.
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Wow...that is serious toe guard research, very impressed!
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I saw something about using some form of No More Nails. ???
Anyone do this?
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That's all a little anal joe. Maybe too much time on your hands? Lol
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what about varnish? or electricians tape?
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That's all a little anal joe. Maybe too much time on your hands? Lol
undoubtedly, its more of a collection of what I have found by trial and error rather than methodically trying every one.
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Any pics of the finished article....
I think there is definitely room for improvement with toe guards and I think they are essential for preserving the life of your bat
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I still don't understand why you'd add an extra ounce or two at the point where it will most affect pick up?
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I saw something about using some form of No More Nails. ???
Anyone do this?
I have heard of liquid nails being used as well. Haven't tried it yet though
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I have heard of liquid nails being used as well. Haven't tried it yet though
I shouldnt think it would work, will have to try it :D
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what about just putting some tape on the bottom?
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what about just putting some tape on the bottom?
Tried this, just comes off pretty quickly.
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is shoe goo just the stuff i can buy on ebay for like £2 a tube?
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yeah
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I am absolutely loving this devotion
I still don't understand why you'd add an extra ounce or two at the point where it will most affect pick up?
because it will protect the bat and make it last longer. Not everyone has a choice between multiple sensational lavers or all the other fabulous bats you have Tim!
That's all a little anal joe. Maybe too much time on your hands? Lol
yes but this is a cricket geeks forum - it is what you should expect!!
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Well said Sir Buzz, or fellow geek if you like.
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Just to confirm your post Buzz, in years gone by, i had quite a few bats go in the toe. that has significantly reduced since toe guards came into use.
from a manufacturers point of view, they would like to minimise returns/damaged bats. so i dont think what Tim says about pick up (although very true) comes into it.
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Just out of curiosity has anyone tried pressure treating the willow? Lumber you buy for construction is pressure treated so it would stay good for a long time and not get water damaged...not sure if doing the same will affect the playability of the bat but might be worth thought atleast..
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Just out of curiosity has anyone tried pressure treating the willow? Lumber you buy for construction is pressure treated so it would stay good for a long time and not get water damaged...not sure if doing the same will affect the playability of the bat but might be worth thought atleast..
Do you mean tanalised treated timber? I dont know is that would affect the performance of the willow or not.
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Do you mean tanalised treated timber? I dont know is that would affect the performance of the willow or not.
Don't know whats it called over there mate but its just called pressure treated wood here, they basically put it in vaccum/pressure chamber with some chemicals and wood absorbs them and pressure helps ensure it reached into the core of the wood...now for cricket bat purpose you don't really need it to penetrate deep so you could just soak the toe region in the chemical and it would work too without really adding a lot, if any, weight...chemical used now is alkaline copper quat or ACQ.. see the link below
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/question278.htm
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Wouldn't putting the wood in a vacuum/pressure chamber act a bit like a press? Or am I just being stupid? Obviously it wouldn't have the same amount of pressure anyway
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Would need to be a serious amount of pressure to get anywhere near the same effect a bat press has!!
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Dont put the bat/cleft in pressure chamber but instead just use same chemicals on the toe. Essentially just dip the toe in the solution and thats it...
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Dont put the bat/cleft in pressure chamber but instead just use same chemicals on the toe. Essentially just dip the toe in the solution and thats it...
dont they already do that to the timber when its in its "rough" form?
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dont they already do that to the timber when its in its "rough" form?
Yes, if understand correctly, its dipped in wax to ensure moisture is not lost through the end of the cleft so it won't split but in the bat making finishing process that wax probably wear off as it most likely does not penetrate the wood but just stays on the surface...the idea behind the chemical is to make the bat's toe water proof so you dont need a toeguard/shoe goo etc as it soaks in a little bit and not just on the surface..