Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Biggyd63 on December 26, 2009, 04:50:13 PM
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Hi all, this is my new cleft and tools bought over a number of weeks
Thanks to slogger for some tools and matt at H4L for the cleft
Couldn't find anywhere to put a vice so have purchased a workbench which does a good job
Had a try on old bats with the tools and have got the hang of it
Got a few kashmir clefts to have a hack at before i really get down to business
Will get back to matt within the next week to purchase some more grade 3s
Now all i need is a bit of advice from bat makers on where the best place to start is?
Here are the pics:
(http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy89/newerapined/P1000966.jpg)
(http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy89/newerapined/P1000965.jpg)
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I've bought some G3 clefts form Matt as well, hopefully on their way soon. What kind of workbench have you purchased as I am currently looking at getting one for the same job?
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You asked how to start... I think the best way is to draw the profile you want onto the side of the bat in pencil, that way you dont whittle it down to a twig!
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Cheers Leo,
Got a black and decker workmate cost about £70. That was probs the biggest expense but well worth it i find that they are solid and strong enough for the job, also it doesnt leave marks in the bat.
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Leo..Do u reckon to keep the bat fairly chunky to start off with taking small bits off at a time?
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That looks like a good choice of bench, I may well go for one of those.
I'd advise to sleep on any big choices before taking a sharpened edge to the cleft. Leo is right, plan plan and plan.
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Go careful of using the drawknife too readily it can easily take huge shavings out of the wood when you don't want it to :)
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May I asked where you brought the travisher from??? I have been looking for one of these for weeks!
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Its sloggers spokeshave which he got from Chris easby
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Ahh right, I see :) The cheapest I can find is around £70!!! Nice looking cleft though, should serve you well.
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looks like you got yourself a good set of tools to get going. Got a stanley plane on the way from slogger.
Also got my draw knife back today and is razor sharp! Am scared to use it!
Looks like ive got myself a January project ::)
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looks like you got yourself a good set of tools to get going. Got a stanley plane on the way from slogger.
Also got my draw knife back today and is razor sharp! Am scared to use it!
Looks like ive got myself a January project ::)
Yeah i'm glad i got lots of tools, some are easier to use than others
I've got a few old bats with random chunks missing and funny angles where ive been practicing
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Go careful of using the drawknife too readily it can easily take huge shavings out of the wood when you don't want it to :)
I'm probs going to use the drawknife as little as possible if i can help it. Like u said Leo don't want to ruin it :)
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Yeah i found the same, dont really think i will use the drawknife much. Mostly the plane.
Got the hang of the travishers/spokeshaves yet?
Let us know how you get on as well...
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Flat spokeshave, i found that difficult at first..but once u get the hang of it, it's really fun to use and enjoyable!
Planes, are fun once you get the blade angles right.
Travisher, i havent used that (waiting until other clefts arrive)
I love seeing wood shavings flying everywhere!
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Where did you get the drawknife sharpened?
Also got my draw knife back today and is razor sharp!
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At my Grandparents.
Seems to have everything in his workshop!
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Just had a go with the drawknife this morning, is a lot easier when ultra sharp!
I find i can shape the toe quite well but taking wood of the shoulders is quite hard. I think i will mostly use the plane for this.
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I have this drawknife but it's bevel angle seems far too steep at 40 degrees and I don't have the facilities to alter it. This will be the first time I'll use it on a cleft, without one it took me ages to remove even an ounce.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Arno-Continental-Pattern-Drawknives-31394.htm (http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Arno-Continental-Pattern-Drawknives-31394.htm)
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UPDATE..Got a couple of kashmir clefts from CJI
Wow they are rock hard, will be used as firewood i think
I just can't seem to get anywhere with them..
Went straight onto the grade 3 english willow and instantly easier to work with
Well worth spending more to get a decent cleft..
I am really pleased with the start i've made
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Any idea on what profile or weight you are aiming for?
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Used the drawknife much?
Slowly starting to get to grips with it but still really hard to use,
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I want it to be quite chunky...big edges etc so theres plenty of room for error
With any luck about 2.10
I think my drawknifes a bit blunt and i dont really know how to sharpen it, any ideas?
I very confident when using the planes and spokeshave, so ive been using them
It will be finished soon i hope...
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I clamp the drawknife to the bench and run the stones/files up and down the cutting edge of the blade.
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That looked a really nice G3 willow....
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(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/P1000968.jpg)
This is it so far UNFINISHED
I need tips on how to make the edges smaller
When using a plane do you
a) go straight along length of the bat
b) go in a "curve" shape from the middle outwards
as in pic below
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/Untitled.jpg)
btw it weighs about 3.1
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had much more luck with this?
would quite like to see your final shape....
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Yeah, i've only got one edge to complete tomorrow.
won't take me too long.
Do you reckon a low middle, long middle or high middle?
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hmmm sounds good...
Go for something inbetween :D
How did you find using the spokeshaves?
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I'm just gonna use the plane until i like it.. :)
although i'm a bit of a perfectionist and can't leave it alone.
i love using the flat spokeshave..for the shoulders and toe
but i can't seem to use the concave spokeshave at all..which i find weird
Has anyone got any tips?
Do you set up the concave spokeshave the same as the flat one?
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Ive just got my flat spokeshave off slogger, is blunt as it gets! Think that will be swiftly sent off for sharpening...
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Any ideas on sharpening? where you sending your tools? :S
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Leo...the handle on your bat looked really good
How did you do it? spokeshave or rasp?
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get a sharpening stone and do it be hand
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regarding sharpening, i sent my drawknife to my Grandparents and he did a good job of it.
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Not sure how mind!
Will get him to show me next time...
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May i ask how you intend it? Done by hand or eletrically....
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May i ask how you intend it? Done by hand or eletrically....
If your on about the drawknife..sharpen by hand
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ahhh sorry, meant to add how you intend to sand it
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various grades of paper by hand
or I've also got a belt sander where i will use very fine sand paper
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I've just ordered 2 more G3 part made clefts...exciting times ahead
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I think i've finished my first bat..It's quite heavy (about 2.13) but it's got a nice pickup
Here you go....
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/P1000977.jpg)
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/P1000979.jpg)
I dont really want to take anymore off as i may go too far. :)
I just need to hand sand the shoulders, bind the handle and then oil it etc
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looks great, certainly for a first attempt...
if you want to remove some more weight without removing too much, you could try sanding it with some course paper???
certainly achieved a low middle however :D
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Leo...the handle on your bat looked really good
How did you do it? spokeshave or rasp?
Sandpaper ;)
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looks like the porfile of my Woodworm :)
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Where is the cheapest I can get a G3 cleft? I havent ordered one for about 2 years now and alot of people seem to have brought so maybe someone can let me know :)
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For binding the handle is this ok do you reckon?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ball-of-String-multi-purpose-Twine-40m-approx-NEW_W0QQitemZ350261042370QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Packaging_Materials?hash=item518d2f5cc2
and then use PVA underneath and on top?
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I would like to get into this bat making lark in the summer when I have more time available, how would I start it, what would I need? cheers guys
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I would like to get into this bat making lark in the summer when I have more time available, how would I start it, what would I need? cheers guys
Wood (sorry for the sarcasm ;))
There are a few forums on here about bat making so take a look at those :)
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that string will do but not ideal, you want something finer. thin your pva down with some water ,put in on the handle before and after .
hit4six i can do you a g3 partmade for £60 inc postage
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Wood (sorry for the sarcasm ;))
There are a few forums on here about bat making so take a look at those :)
Yeah i kinda expected a comment like that :L yeah will have a look about,
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that string will do but not ideal, you want something finer. thin your pva down with some water ,put in on the handle before and after .
hit4six i can do you a g3 partmade for £60 inc postage
any specific type? You u give me a link to the sort of thing I'm looking for?
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I've just bought some G3 clefts from Matt @ H4L and they are perfect. Excellent service.
At the end of Jan I'll make a post about them but I've got to revise first for exams.
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How did you find using the flat spokeshave? Just cant seem to get the hang of mine! Using the plane is fine, although mine isnt very sharp at the moment!
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Here we go..2nd attempt
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/2nd%20Bat/P1010001.jpg)
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/2nd%20Bat/P1000999.jpg)
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/2nd%20Bat/P1000998.jpg)
(http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt124/Biggyd63/2nd%20Bat/P1000997.jpg)
Opinions welcome..
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looks much nicer to my eyes :) how heavy is it. very extended middle, looks similar to the gm flare?
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2lb 9 3/4 oz
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looks much nicer to my eyes :) how heavy is it. very extended middle, looks similar to the gm flare?
I didnt want to waste any of it, i would want it to play well all the way down to the toe..Next one will be different i think
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Nice profile!