Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: InternalTraining on September 24, 2014, 10:27:11 PM
-
What is the appropriate care and maintenance for a bat that is made from an overdried cleft ? Do you regularly oil it?
-
Leave it in a bathroom so it can take on some moisture mate
-
What about oiling ?
-
What is the point getting an overdried cleft if you are going to add moisture to it. I am no expert but isn’t the reason bats are oiled is to keep the moisture in/out?
-
As we know clefts are overdried to make a bigger bat (British made non overdried clefts normal drying time in a kiln takes around 3 weeks) therefore to maintain the bats size the bat made from an overdried cleft does not require any added moisture it needs to maintain the moisture content left in bat by sealing with raw linseed oil ( Flaxseed oil) as this helps repel external moisture.
-
Are we prolonging the life as it is or trying to get it so it's not as dry??
Think I misunderstood the question haha
-
As we know clefts are overdried to make a bigger bat (British made non overdried clefts normal drying time in a kiln takes around 3 weeks) therefore to maintain the bats size the bat made from an overdried cleft does not require any added moisture it needs to maintain the moisture content left in bat by sealing with raw linseed oil ( Flaxseed oil) as this helps repel external moisture.
Do you mean weight? The bat's size is what it is, it's simply got a lower than normal moisture level. If it absorbs moisture it will just get heavier.
-
Do you mean weight? The bat's size is what it is, it's simply got a lower than normal moisture level. If it absorbs moisture it will just get heavier.
Clarification:
The biggest factor which affects the weight of the cleft is its moisture content or put simply the greater the moisture the heavier the cleft.
-
This is my view for what it’s worth;
Your bat is constantly being subjected to something known as Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC).
From Wikipedia: “The moisture content of wood below the fibre saturation point is a function of both relative humidity and temperature of surrounding air. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) is the moisture content at which the wood is neither gaining nor losing moisture; this however, is a dynamic equilibrium and changes with relative humidity and temperature.”
This basically means that the bat is always trying to be in equilibrium with its current environment whatever that may be. In this country during the summer EMC (outside) will be approximately 15% rising to 20% in the winter. Bring your bat indoors to a centrally heated house and this can be as low 6%. In India EMC outside can drop as low as 6% in the summer but will average around 10%. Obviously this is why bats coming out of Asia are so much dryer. Typically, finished bats have a moisture content of around 10-12% as we all know, which is below the EMC of a typical British summer. If we did not seal the bat with a water proof layer (linseed, bees wax) the bat would always want to absorb moisture even in very dry conditions. Contrary to popular belief (or so it would seem) linseed does not add any moisture to your bat although it will soften the fibres that are in contact with the oil which is where I think some of the confusion occurs.
Doing some simple sums;
Typical volume of modern bat blade = 0.0024m^3
Density of willow (approx.) 420 Kg/m^3
Blade weight = 0.0024 * 420 = 1.008kg -> 2lb 35oz
Add to that 6-7oz for the handle and you end up with a bat in the region of 2lb 10oz
I don’t really believe that variations of 2% in moisture content have much of an impact on overall bat weight. If you do a quick calculation, 2% of a typical bat weight is less than an ounce. The weight will be affected by the willow density though and as willow can vary in density from 350 – 450 Kg/m^3 this could lead to a variation in blade weight (minus the handle) of 2lbs - 2lb 6oz.
-
Bats made from Overdried clefts don't have a long life span, 1-2 seasons tops. Is there a way to prolong their life. Does oiling help in the regard? Should the bat be exposed to more moisture?
Are we prolonging the life as it is or trying to get it so it's not as dry??
Think I misunderstood the question haha
-
What is the appropriate care and maintenance for a bat that is made from an overdried cleft ? Do you regularly oil it?
You score as many runs as you can with it before it falls apart.
-
But I like it so much, I'd hate to part ways with it. :) It is a good friend.
-
Best off trying to get more moisture into it by leaving it in a bathroom. I'd suggest that if it's been over dried the damage is probably already don't though.
-
Best off trying to get more moisture into it by leaving it in a bathroom. I'd suggest that if it's been over dried the damage is probably already don't though.
So after all that we're back to suggesting what I said in the first reply!
2 people have said it so you finally have a clear answer ;)
-
What is the appropriate care and maintenance for a bat that is made from an overdried cleft ? Do you regularly oil it?
Yes!