Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: patriotscreen on August 05, 2013, 07:27:03 PM
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I am looking for a decent quality but not too expensive draw knife. I am going to make a bat but all I have at the moment is a bog standard plane and electric sander. I will be making a cleft that has already been handled so can probably do most of the work with a few tools. Won't be concaving the bat so will not need anything special just the basics.
What would be the best thing to go for? Better yet can anyone offer a tried and tested tool to either loan or buy?
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Check out eBay. Plenty on there. May need a little clean up and sharpen but worth that little bit of work
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Just be careful on eBay. Some for sale in the 'Collectables' category are in a poor state, I've seen new ones sold for £60 but that extra tenner for a good second hand one will save you hours in the shed!
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So what's wrong about having a new one? Problem with used ones are that you don't know what you're getting until it's too late.
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Yeah, I've not written that properly! I meant new ones go for £60, but if you're going to get a second hand one, pay a bit more for a good un.
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Anything with pre-WW2 steel is better and holds the edge longer. Something about new steel, but it's not as good!
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Old steel is harder. Simple as that :) Different forging techniques. Honestly mate, if you're only going to make one bat Id stick with the tools you have for a handled cleft. Just make sure your tools are sharp. When I'm sharpening chisels/planes at work, I see if I can shave the back of my hand when I think they're done.
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I don't want to make one bat though, i'd like to have a go at making multiple bats and possibly trying to sell them. Not to make a living but to do for fun as i'm good at carpentry and very creative so I think I would enjoy it.
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I picked a 'normal' drawknife up from eBay for about £25 about 2 or 3 years ago and with a little bit of sharpening work has served me fine and is a nice tool to work with. I also picked up a coopers drawknife for about £35 which I actually prefer to use if I want to remove a lot of wood and concave at the same time.
Maybe I was lucky but I recall there being plenty around of stuff available on eBay if you spend the time searching.
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Just make sure your tools are sharp. When I'm sharpening chisels/planes at work, I see if I can shave the back of my hand when I think they're done.
This. If the tools are sharp enough to shave hair, then you can't go far wrong
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There seem to be plenty on eBay but I don't really know what i'm looking for. When something is described as 'Vintage' that could mean that it was made in the 1800s or it could have been made in 1970 and be covered in rust and dirt.
How do I tell if something has a good blade that will stay sharp? Or do I just be a new one and keep making sure I sharpen it every now and then?
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Anything marples or gilpins is usually good quality, all it will need is a bit of a clean up and sharpen when you get it. Think my good drawknife is circa 1950. Steer clear of any where the pictures aren't that great, as it could be pot luck.
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Is this a good make?
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=151034834920 (http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=151034834920)
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Yeah, looks good, although a touch on the expensive side if you are only using it for 1 or 2 bats. It's hard to get the hang of using a drawknife properly and efficiently. I have a way that works for me, whether it.
This looks a decent bet:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Vintage-Draw-Knife-/350854831712?pt=UK_Collectable_ToolsHasdware_RL&hash=item51b093de60#ht_28wt_1170 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-Vintage-Draw-Knife-/350854831712?pt=UK_Collectable_ToolsHasdware_RL&hash=item51b093de60#ht_28wt_1170)
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I take it that the size of the blade doesn't really matter so long as it is wider than the cleft?
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I take it that the size of the blade doesn't really matter so long as it is wider than the cleft?
So long as it's wide enough to go along the back of the bat (so about half the width) you'll be fine
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You still looking for a drawknife mate? I've got one that I bought off Ryan a couple of months back which I can do for £30 posted if you want it? It's got a slightly curved blade of a decent enough length and has only been used on one bat since I got it! If you're interested I can go take some pics for you :).
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Thanks for the offer Sam, my girlfriend is buying me one for my birthday so I have already picked one which is £40 new so I will go with that :)
If it's no good I may well chase you up ;) Thanks