Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: JK Lewis on June 24, 2016, 10:16:25 AM

Title: Update #2
Post by: JK Lewis on June 24, 2016, 10:16:25 AM

So it was heaving down with rain last night, I'm not the most patient person and anyway I needed to get away from the referendum coverage. I figured I'd have a bash at splitting one of my 2 remaining willow rounds. To be honest I wasn't sure it would work as I have minimal tools, but anyway, I planed a few wedges out of a bit of plank, and gave it a go.

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_172853_zpshic0tfph.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_172853_zpshic0tfph.jpg.html)

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_173155_zpssp7yljqf.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_173155_zpssp7yljqf.jpg.html)

You have to do a fair amount of hammering, but it does work:

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_183637_zpsagmzux6s.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_183637_zpsagmzux6s.jpg.html)

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_184105_zpszu5jqanm.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_184105_zpszu5jqanm.jpg.html)

I then split the 2 halves into clefts.

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_185318_zpsymlopndu.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_185318_zpsymlopndu.jpg.html)

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_190230_zpsmbgt6i91.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_190230_zpsmbgt6i91.jpg.html)

I ended up with 1 big one, 2 medium sized, and one small wedge:

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_190926_zpsmqajruph.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_190926_zpsmqajruph.jpg.html)

I smoothed one cleft a bit. Not beautiful, but it's pretty much the right size and shape. Hopefully I can avoid the big knot at shoulder level:

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_193439_zpsgxkx4vpv.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_193439_zpsgxkx4vpv.jpg.html)

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_194511_zpsxa3zcjmu.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_194511_zpsxa3zcjmu.jpg.html)

Next step, take the 3 clefts over to my friend the joiner, and fire up the ripsaw.

(http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah205/justinlewis45/20160623_195516_zpsouk8wvh3.jpg) (http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/justinlewis45/media/20160623_195516_zpsouk8wvh3.jpg.html)

So, I've found that it is definitely possible to do this, even with very basic equipment. Another interesting step.
I'll keep you up to date with developments.

Title: Re: Update #2
Post by: Northern monkey on June 24, 2016, 10:21:21 AM

Top stuff

You've spurred me on to get my bat press sorted

Title: Re: Update #2
Post by: JK Lewis on June 24, 2016, 10:25:16 AM

Quote from: Northern monkey on June 24, 2016, 10:21:21 AM

Top stuff

You've spurred me on to get my bat press sorted

Are you going to design / build your own? That would be excellent.

Title: Re: Update #2
Post by: springbok45 on June 24, 2016, 11:28:51 AM

These threads are absolutely brilliant, very inspirational.

Title: Re: Update #2
Post by: Batbuddy99 on June 24, 2016, 11:42:30 AM

I'm loving these threads
You, my man, are a legend to this forum!

Title: Re: Update #2
Post by: Northern monkey on June 24, 2016, 11:47:11 AM

Quote from: JK Lewis on June 24, 2016, 10:25:16 AM

Are you going to design / build your own? That would be excellent.

Yeah, I've got most of the parts, just that I've moved house three times and now I've no garage, so struggling for somewhere to set it up.
Friend of a friend has a joinery business and has said I can have a corner of his factory, so hopefully I can crack on soon