Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: Sivlar13 on February 27, 2016, 10:59:08 AM

Title: Learning the Craft
Post by: Sivlar13 on February 27, 2016, 10:59:08 AM: Been dreaming of making my own bats for years, and I would love to get some insight and some lessons to begin the learning process. Does anyone know any bat makers that would be willing to give up some of their time to start me off? As I'm only 22; I reckon if I start now, by the time I retire I may be able to make a half decent stick.
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: e4sby on February 27, 2016, 11:25:31 AM: Having been one of the original self taught bat shapers on here many moons ago the best advice I can give you is -

1) get some decent sharp tools

2) get some cheap clefts

3) practise practise practise - your first couple of efforts will not be great but you will soon get used to using planes and spokeshaves

There is a few YouTube videos showing professionals at work - you will pick tips up from there. I'm sure if you live local to a bar maker they won't mind you going down to watch them.

I went to Fusion to pick up some clefts and James was very accommodating/helpful and made it look easy!
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: SteffanLangholz on February 27, 2016, 01:15:03 PM: Where would one get these tools? Especially the draw knife
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: Seniorplayer on February 27, 2016, 01:56:36 PM: Quote from: Sivlar13 on February 27, 2016, 10:59:08 AM
Been dreaming of making my own bats for years, and I would love to get some insight and some lessons to begin the learning process. Does anyone know any bat makers that would be willing to give up some of their time to start me off? As I'm only 22; I reckon if I start now, by the time I retire I may be able to make a half decent stick.

Don't know if you read it but there was a retiring batmaker on here offering to learn someone the skills for free not long ago but can't find the post I think it included some tools
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: Seniorplayer on February 27, 2016, 01:57:58 PM: Quote from: SteffanLangholz on February 27, 2016, 01:15:03 PM
Where would one get these tools? Especially the draw knife

I see these at car boots and county fairs.
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: Gurujames on February 27, 2016, 01:58:11 PM: http://www.axminster.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Drawknife (http://www.axminster.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Drawknife)

If you have the cash I highly recommend lie Nielsen gear
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: Sivlar13 on February 27, 2016, 02:18:35 PM: Quote from: Seniorplayer on February 27, 2016, 01:56:36 PM
Don't know if you read it but there was a retiring batmaker on here offering to learn someone the skills for free not long ago but can't find the post I think it included some tools

I did read it mate and just couldn't find it either. Think it was round Crewe as well which isn't far from where I am at the moment. Will do some more searching.
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: Seniorplayer on February 27, 2016, 09:58:47 PM: Quote from: Sivlar13 on February 27, 2016, 02:18:35 PM
I did read it mate and just couldn't find it either. Think it was round Crewe as well which isn't far from where I am at the moment. Will do some more searching.

Yes it was someone from around Crewe
Title: Re: Learning the Craft
Post by: Seniorplayer on February 27, 2016, 10:12:35 PM: Found it its Fusion the post is the 26 October 2015.