Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: Chad on September 16, 2013, 11:45:08 PM
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Hi guys, I was bored, and was just about to counterbalance a bat, so I figured I would start a thread with pictures on how I do it. (I would think most people probably do it this way too!)
First off, you will need:
A bat which you feel picks up poorly:
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130916_235319.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130916_235319.jpg.html)
Scissors, golf lead tape, insulating tape and a set of scales (Not necessary, but recommended):
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130916_235833.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130916_235833.jpg.html)
Firstly, weigh your bat. While you want to improve the pick up of your bat, you also want to make sure that it's not going to end up too far from your ideal weight range! Allow for a 1-2 ounce increase in weight.
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130916_235853.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130916_235853.jpg.html)
Roll down the grip at the top of the handle, and you should see the handle top and binding:
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130916_235426.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130916_235426.jpg.html)
Then wrap one layer of the golf tape round where the binding ends (It's probably more effective to wrap it round the handle end due to the way levers work, but I've just done it on the binding for this):
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130917_000134.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130917_000134.jpg.html)
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130917_000129.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130917_000129.jpg.html)
As you can see, even just one ring of golf tape can add a fairly significant amount of weight to a bat. Add as many rounds of golf tape as you want, if you feel that the golf tape will be too obtrusive, then apply it just under the first round. I put two rounds on this bat:
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130917_000301.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130917_000301.jpg.html)
Then, to finish up, wrap the golf tape in a generous amount of insulating tape, just to make sure it stays secure:
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130917_000618.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130917_000618.jpg.html)
Remember, insulating tape adds weight too:
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130917_000546.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130917_000546.jpg.html)
Hopefully this helps some of you. I rarely do this, as I'm not particularly fussy about pick up, but when I do, I always check the pick up after each ring is added, as I don't want to exceed my dead weight limit. I actually changed the golf tape and put it right at the tip of the handle, as this is the most effective way to alter the pick up.
(http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af230/ch4d0m4n/20130917_003412.jpg) (http://s1010.photobucket.com/user/ch4d0m4n/media/20130917_003412.jpg.html)
I would recommend this for those of us who prefer one grip, but can't quite get used to the pick up of a bat. I don't think that buying a 2.12 bat and counterbalancing it until it feels like a 2.8 is a good idea, as you will be adding a lot of dead weight in order to do so, which will make you tire quicker, and actually means you're slower to your shots. (Especially if you're used to using a 2.9 or something light like that!) Make sure that the final weight is within your capability to use! Saying that, Jaques Kallis seems to use quite a bit of counterbalancing! I wonder what his bat specs are like...
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whats the best place to buy the lead tape mate?
how much are you looking at to do a single bat?
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I got mine off eBay. I think it was golf related seller.
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thanks mate, any idea how much you paid?
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thanks mate, any idea how much you paid?
Got a large roll for a few quid. Maybe a fiver?
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Don't waste your money on lead tape.
Ways to counter balance-
1) if you can use a bat with 2 grips, then put a thin chevron grip, or
2) get hold of an old thick spiral or double thickness chevron grip and cut it into 1inch rings and put on the top of the handle. Once you find the desired balance then use a medical cloth tape to cover the rings.
3) if you don't like the feel of 2 grips, try using a padded medical tape. I have recently used this on one of my bats and loving the feel. Alternatively, use a Aero or hockey grip and then put a rubber grip on it.
Hope this helps.
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Don't waste your money on lead tape.
Ways to counter balance-
1) if you can use a bat with 2 grips, then put a thin chevron grip, or
2) get hold of an old thick spiral or double thickness chevron grip and cut it into 1inch rings and put on the top of the handle. Once you find the desired balance then use a medical cloth tape to cover the rings.
3) if you don't like the feel of 2 grips, try using a padded medical tape. I have recently used this on one of my bats and loving the feel. Alternatively, use a Aero or hockey grip and then put a rubber grip on it.
Hope this helps.
Hi Yash, not sure if you've thought about it but the things you mentioned above actually cost money too! I would say that this is pretty darn cost effective too, ended up costing me less than £1 for this bat... 8 ounces of lead tape for a fiver or a 2 ounce grip for £3? ;)
But yeah, the things you mentioned above help to, it's just lead tape is much denser and doesn't affect the thickness of the handle!
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Please can you send a link to where to get the lead tape Chad?? :)
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you can get it off amazon
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Please can you send a link to where to get the lead tape Chad?? :)
Sure thing Cameron, got it from eBay!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290936739103?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290936739103?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-100-inches-Adhesive-Lead-Tape-Golf-Clubs-Tennis-Free-post-uk-/151121050807?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Golf_Accessories&hash=item232f843cb7 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-100-inches-Adhesive-Lead-Tape-Golf-Clubs-Tennis-Free-post-uk-/151121050807?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Golf_Accessories&hash=item232f843cb7)
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[url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-100-inches-Adhesive-Lead-Tape-Golf-Clubs-Tennis-Free-post-uk-/151121050807?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Golf_Accessories&hash=item232f843cb7[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-100-inches-Adhesive-Lead-Tape-Golf-Clubs-Tennis-Free-post-uk-/151121050807?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Golf_Accessories&hash=item232f843cb7[/url])
Yup, about half the width, but will still work!
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Thanks Chad. Not had to do this on a bat yet but worthwhile knowing. Something new for the forum to be pinned in the future?
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Sure thing Cameron, got it from eBay!
[url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290936739103?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290936739103?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649[/url])
Cheers buddy
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I have never found lead tape to be more effective than rings cut from thick grips.
Personally I have not seen a pro using lead tape yet.
Ask batmakers and they would all tell you to use grip and tape.
As for cost, if we can spend £300 on a bat then a £5-£6 to get it to the desired pick-up shouldn't hurt.
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Btw, there are several health reasons for my using lead tape.
The lead strips that golfers use is a bit different that the normal lead tape. The normal lead tape is the cheaper option of course.
To get the counter balance correct it has to be at the very top of the handle. Eg Newbery Merlin.
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Thanks Chad. Not had to do this on a bat yet but worthwhile knowing. Something new for the forum to be pinned in the future?
Ah right, just find it something useful to know how to do, as if you have
I have never found lead tape to be more effective than rings cut from thick grips.
Personally I have not seen a pro using lead tape yet.
Ask batmakers and they would all tell you to use grip and tape.
As for cost, if we can spend £300 on a bat then a £5-£6 to get it to the desired pick-up shouldn't hurt.
Haha, yes, I wouldn't mind using £5-6 to get a desired pick up, but your original point was not to waste money on lead tape. ;)
The point I'm making is that lead tape is more dense, therefore won't 'poke out' as much for the same weight of grip added onto the end of the bat. Essentially another way of skinning a cat. Good thing about grips is that you can add smaller amounts of weights in rings, but it will stick out more. Saying that, you could easily do a mixture of both, or even get slightly thinner lead tape. I'm sure if you asked a batmaker which was the most efficient way, they would probably say both ways work. All you're doing is adding weight onto the end of a handle! Also still more cost efficient for the weight added. ;)
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Btw, there are several health reasons for my using lead tape.
The lead strips that golfers use is a bit different that the normal lead tape. The normal lead tape is the cheaper option of course.
To get the counter balance correct it has to be at the very top of the handle. Eg Newbery Merlin.
Fair point, may have forgotten to tell folk to wash their hands after using lead. I have no idea about golf, but the tape I got was pretty decently priced, perhaps the ones that pro golfers use are different in that they may be galvanised for better durability or something like that. You end up wrapping it in insulating tape anyways, so it shouldn't really have any affect at all. :)
And yeah, mentioned that at the end of the post, and that's what I altered my one to be like. It all depends on what you like to be honest! I think the reason I didn't put it on at the start was because I saw a number stamped on that area of my Hawk handle, but I guess since it's now pictured, I don't need to remember it! ;)
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I have never found lead tape to be more effective than rings cut from thick grips.
Personally I have not seen a pro using lead tape yet.
Ask batmakers and they would all tell you to use grip and tape.
As for cost, if we can spend £300 on a bat then a £5-£6 to get it to the desired pick-up shouldn't hurt.
If I spent 300 on a bat then I would be pretty annoyed if the pick up wasn't as desired without adding things!
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I would go into the shop and make sure i buy the right bat, it is a large investment and you should get it right the first time round. That being said, im a very bare bones cricketer who does not put as much effort into his kit as others on the forum.