Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 08:59:06 AM

Title: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 08:59:06 AM
So, a friend wanted me to make him a traditional styled bat at about 2lb 8oz/ 2lb 9oz and after getting a beauty of a cleft in from matt at H4L this is the result.
17 mm edges and a whopping 50mm spine.  Finished weight about 2lb 9.5oz

Sorry the image quality is a bit rubbish.  I'll try and get some more up later once I can get my camera pics uploaded onto my laptop

(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/20121030_192755.jpg)
(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/20121030_192801.jpg)
(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/20121030_192909.jpg)
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: norbs on October 31, 2012, 09:08:02 AM
Good honest [unlike some I've seen] effort well done

If you need any advice and I'm not to busy feel free to call me
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: Kulli on October 31, 2012, 09:12:23 AM
Norbs, are you implying some people have been buying bats and passing them off as their own? ???
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 09:12:42 AM
Good honest [unlike some I've seen] effort well done

If you need any advice and I'm not to busy feel free to call me

Cheers.  It's mainly the shoulders I struggle with.  They're still not straight, so i may take it back to the workshop instead of delivering it to my friend, just to try and get them right.  Although, personally, I want to keep this one as the sound of the mallet and the rebound is really nice!

I enjoyed making one for myself earlier in the summer, that I thought I'd try and turn it into a hobby, although it's starting to border on obsession now! 
I've already had a couple more friends interested, so hopefully I'll have a few more to post in the coming months!
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: norbs on October 31, 2012, 09:27:13 AM
Norbs, are you implying some people have been buying bats and passing them off as their own? ???

I can hold my hands up and honestly say I dont supply anyone bats or part mades

Cheers.  It's mainly the shoulders I struggle with.  They're still not straight, so i may take it back to the workshop instead of delivering it to my friend, just to try and get them right.  Although, personally, I want to keep this one as the sound of the mallet and the rebound is really nice!

I enjoyed making one for myself earlier in the summer, that I thought I'd try and turn it into a hobby, although it's starting to border on obsession now! 
I've already had a couple more friends interested, so hopefully I'll have a few more to post in the coming months!

Obsession is a good word.... 
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 09:29:41 AM
I can hold my hands up and honestly say I dont supply anyone bats or part mades

I only get part mades at the minute, but I'd like to learn how to press a cleft (and also get a press!)  Although I think I'd need to clear out a lot of the junk in my parent's garage to make room for a press! That and a fair wodge of cash for the press...
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: PedalsMcgrew on October 31, 2012, 09:32:24 AM
Norbs, are you implying some people have been buying bats and passing them off as their own? ???

I believe he is and in the case I think he's referring to I tend to agree with him.... ;)
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: Red Ink Cricket on October 31, 2012, 09:33:33 AM
bat looks good. decent effort that.

Shoulders are one thing i struggled with at the start. i find using a engineers square to get a straight line, front back and the edges helps. i also find that because the face is rounded slightly its worth doing the line from both edges rather than just one side to make sure its spot on.
i get the shape of the bat to where i want it then fine tune the shoulders and shape the handle. make sure all the tools you use are sharp and take your time.

what do you use to shape the shoulders?
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 09:37:22 AM
Cheers

I drew a line on front and back with a set square, got the final line about right, but the curve between the hande and shoulder doesn't quite look even.

I started off doing the shoulders, as I found them the most difficult part on the first one I made.  I mainly used my drawknife and spokeshaves, and a couple of round and half round rasp files.
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: trypewriter on October 31, 2012, 09:48:56 AM
Good effort - with practice comes perfection  ;)
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 09:49:53 AM
Cheers
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: Red Ink Cricket on October 31, 2012, 09:57:07 AM
Im constantly moving mine around in the vice to get the shoulders right. its just practice really. i use my draw knife first then fine tune with a round bottomed spokeshave. seems to do the trick
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 09:59:01 AM
I should probably get a round-bottom spokeshave then.  I have one with a flat bottom and a slightly smaller one with a flat bottom, but it's small enough to just about get into the curve.
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: mad_abt_cricket on October 31, 2012, 10:01:13 AM
I only get part mades at the minute, but I'd like to learn how to press a cleft (and also get a press!)  Although I think I'd need to clear out a lot of the junk in my parent's garage to make room for a press! That and a fair wodge of cash for the press...

Pretty good effort.

Making bats from Part made clefts does take lot of skill and effort.

It is ideal to know and master the whole process but it is not possible for everyone, specially those who work part time as a hobby and I would think these efforts should be appreciated.
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: norbs on October 31, 2012, 10:07:11 AM
I should probably get a round-bottom spokeshave then.  I have one with a flat bottom and a slightly smaller one with a flat bottom, but it's small enough to just about get into the curve.

round bottom spokeshave, that is easiest way of doing it and sharpen it to within and inch of its life

Turn the bat in the vice so the edge is pointing toward the ceiling and get to work....
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 10:16:21 AM
Thanks for all the advice and feedback guys!  I'm sure I'll improve the more I make.  Half tempted to buy a few clefts in and make bats I don't need...  Shame I have to save up for a wedding now!
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: Kulli on October 31, 2012, 10:29:05 AM
I believe he is and in the case I think he's referring to I tend to agree with him.... ;)
Been a scandalisious week on the forum!
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: mad_abt_cricket on October 31, 2012, 10:43:30 AM
There are few who are making bats and posting it in the bat making section.

I would say if  someone is just stickering up on already made bats , it is better to name here rather than giving generic statements....
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: M77 on October 31, 2012, 11:01:16 AM
There are few who are making bats and posting it in the bat making section.

I would say if  someone is just stickering up on already made bats , it is better to name here rather than giving generic statements....

Or like old maths projects... show your workings  ;)

That aside, nice to see another choosing classical shapes... i say it again it's not all about the edge size. A 30mm edge on most bats is a decent compromise for a lot more real mass in the middle rather than perceived size.
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on October 31, 2012, 11:08:06 AM
It was intended to be a copy of the Hunt's County steelback that i refurbed for my friend, but the edges have been made a little thinner, as I was trying to get the weight off without adding any concaving.  It's come in slightly over-weight, but the pick up on it is pretty good.  I can't wait to see his face when I give it to him!
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on November 06, 2012, 04:53:01 PM
As promised, more pics!
(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/059.jpg)
(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/061.jpg)
(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/062.jpg)
(http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s463/thunderball89/066.jpg)
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: Vantage_Cricket on November 06, 2012, 05:07:31 PM
Looks like it's got a bit of a 'hitting area', quite like that.
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on November 06, 2012, 05:15:30 PM
Yup.  Most of the face is!  Bit of luck you'll get to see it next week...
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: Vantage_Cricket on November 06, 2012, 05:21:41 PM
yeah mate, looking forward to those nets! Will be good to see some of your handywork! also will be good to finally use some of those samples I have ;)
Title: Re: New bat
Post by: ajmw89 on November 06, 2012, 05:31:08 PM
Be good to blow out the rustiness!