Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gunn & Moore => Topic started by: HellomynameisJ on August 31, 2016, 03:55:27 AM

Title: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on August 31, 2016, 03:55:27 AM
Just wanted to get a few thoughts,  I wanted to get a GM but was sceptical as I'd never liked the feel of them In years, but I took the dive and decided to get a Mana 404 to see what the new models are like without spending much, . It arrived today and I was pleasantly surprised, 16 grains, all be it inconsistant but for $105 aud delivered I was very pleased. Until I started doing good some light knocking in (5 minutes)  as I don't buy into the GM now promise. What do you guys make of these cracks?

(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a442/Mcjacob23/IMG_20160831_133720_zpsjksfu4y1.jpg) (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/Mcjacob23/media/IMG_20160831_133720_zpsjksfu4y1.jpg.html)

(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a442/Mcjacob23/IMG_20160831_133629_edit_1472614605778_zpst8kxe4hd.jpg) (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/Mcjacob23/media/IMG_20160831_133629_edit_1472614605778_zpst8kxe4hd.jpg.html)

(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a442/Mcjacob23/IMG_20160831_133922_zpsyiexghuy.jpg) (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/Mcjacob23/media/IMG_20160831_133922_zpsyiexghuy.jpg.html)
(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a442/Mcjacob23/IMG_20160831_133844_zpss23zexdg.jpg) (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/Mcjacob23/media/IMG_20160831_133844_zpss23zexdg.jpg.html)

I've never had a bat do this before, if it didn't have a scuff sheet that was under the stickers, I would remove it and sand the cracks back in hope they were superficial. Such a shame considering I think I got lucky with a 404 with 16 grains that weighs 2.8. Anybody have experience with this sort of damage?
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: skip1973 on August 31, 2016, 04:44:35 AM
I would be getting sleeve off, sanding it, oiling and start again. Redwood is quite brittle, how hard did you hit it?
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on August 31, 2016, 05:04:21 AM
Yeah I'm thinking I may have to cut the sleeve off around the stickers. I wouldn't consider the force I hit it with to be excessive at all. I've knocked in lots of bats for myself and others, and never have I seen this, especially in a "knocked in ready to go" bat haha. Such a shame GM make it near impossible to do simple repair jobs without destroying all the stickers.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Cow_corner on August 31, 2016, 05:14:20 AM
You could use a straight edge and a craft knife to cut the scuff sheet below the 404 sticker, transfer the GM now sticker to a new sheet. A team mate has my old 909 Sigma from last season only had edge work done, and no damage outside of normal marks etc.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: aussie.kooky on August 31, 2016, 05:32:09 AM
I have a GM Octane 808 that was two thirds heartwood and it cracked almost instantly in the same way as yours has. I do not think it is a grade issue but more an issue of the willow being a natural product with every cleft having different features both positive and at times negative.... Somewhat a luck of the draw particularly with off the shelf companies. I hope it works out for you as I have acquired two Mana bats recently and they seem to be belters and a lovely shape for a T20 style bat.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on August 31, 2016, 06:06:17 AM
I've removed the scuff sheet, sanded and glued, Fingers crossed. The main crack looks a bit deeper than I'm comfortable with but hopefully it works out. Cracks aside, for a 404 it looks and pings beautifully. I'm not at all upset at GM, stuff happens. Worst case scenario I have a new net bat. I am really impressed with the Mana shape though, I'm certainly considering buying an 808 or 909 for two day games.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Neon Cricket on August 31, 2016, 08:37:23 AM
I find this quite strange, I've recently acquired a 909 Mana and I'm struggling to put any sort of indentation into it at all! I've been using the GN Deluxe mallet and even at it's hardest it's barely leaving a mark. The bat pings beautifully so it's not a case of being over pressed either.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: wiki on August 31, 2016, 08:47:38 AM
I bought a GM Mogul 808 last year and happened the same when I faced the first ball with it. I immediately stopped playing with it and tried to knock it in more, guess what, more cracks appeared while I was knocking it. The bat lies unused in my kit bag now.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on August 31, 2016, 09:14:09 AM
Those definitely look like compression cracks to me.

A little late for this advice maybe, (and as it came with a scuff sheet probably not all that helpful) but...
I've always found heartwood to be a lot more brittle than sapwood. As such I will go generous with the oil on the face & edges (the area that will be knocked), and leave it longer than normal. A sapwood bat will absorb the oil a lot more quickly, while it sits on the surface of a heartwood blade.

Once I've given it two generous coats of oil (to slightly soften the heartwood) and they've soaked in, I start the knocking in process. Because of the brittle nature of heartwood I go a lot more gently to begin with to try and avoid cracking the bat during the preparation process.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: norman1979 on August 31, 2016, 10:56:49 AM
Wow. Thats terrible from GM
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Neon Cricket on August 31, 2016, 11:17:13 AM
Wow. Thats terrible from GM

I'm confused, how is this terrible from GM?
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on August 31, 2016, 11:21:24 AM
Wow. Thats terrible from GM

Well it's not really is it...
Willow is a natural product and heartwood is naturally brittle. This is an unfortunate case, but it is by no means the manufacturers fault in my opinion.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Vitas Cricket on August 31, 2016, 11:38:05 AM
I would only deem it 'terrible' if GM had been made aware of this and then refused any kind of help in terms of repair/replacement. It seems the retailer/brand have not been contacted so haven't been given a chance to rectify before photos are slapped online. (i note the op has said they aren't upset with GM, but someone casually reading through the topic may not pick up on that)
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on August 31, 2016, 11:50:24 AM
Not upset with GM one bit, things like this happen. Retailer has been contacted and thus far have been helpful.

This post was more about if anyone has seen the same thing and how they dealt with it in the hopes that I didn't have to send the bat back to the other side of the world haha.

 I don't see what more GM could have done, they prepared the bat as they would every other bat that goes through the factory. Just seems like it was my turn of bad luck, it certainly hasn't turned me off their products.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Vitas Cricket on August 31, 2016, 11:59:53 AM
Not upset with GM one bit, things like this happen. Retailer has been contacted and thus far have been helpful.

This post was more about if anyone has seen the same thing and how they dealt with it in the hopes that I didn't have to send the bat back to the other side of the world haha.

 I don't see what more GM could have done, they prepared the bat as they would every other bat that goes through the factory. Just seems like it was my turn of bad luck, it certainly hasn't turned me off their products.

Good to hear. I've seen this sort of damage before, but usually on a used bat. Very occasionally i've seen it caused on a new bat, but usually through using the bat against extremely hard and cheap balls. As you've just tapped it a few times with a mallet, it seems like you've had a bit of bad luck. I'm sure the retailer and GM will sort something out for you.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Alvaro on August 31, 2016, 12:50:23 PM
Good to hear. I've seen this sort of damage before, but usually on a used bat. Very occasionally i've seen it caused on a new bat, but usually through using the bat against extremely hard and cheap balls. As you've just tapped it a few times with a mallet, it seems like you've had a bit of bad luck. I'm sure the retailer and GM will sort something out for you.

I had this issue on a new bat when knocking it in. Similarly, it had red wood and almost disintegrated. I must say that the maker offered a replacement with out an issue.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Cfjames137 on August 31, 2016, 03:10:04 PM
Had a similar crack on a maxi 909 recently. Sand,oil and crack all but gone.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on September 03, 2016, 05:35:07 AM
Just thought I'd update on the bat.
After the retailer asked for pictures of the bat which I readily sent, a few days and no word later they sent a full refund out of nowhere which I'm extremely grateful for. The kicker here is that I get to keep the bat. I'm assuming that GM would get these clefts dirt cheap, bleach them and prepare them as usual, if something goes wrong then there isn't much skin off their knuckles so to speak, which then makes sense to just write the bat off without inspection or exchange. I could be very wrong though.

GM make fantastic bats, I'm almost ready to buy a higher grade Willow model of the Mana as the shape and feel has truly won me over.

Anywho, I removed the scuff sheet, went nuts with the sander, super glued over the cracks and then as suggested applied a generous coat of oil, here are the results afrer the first oiling. Fingers Crossed!

(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a442/Mcjacob23/IMG_20160903_150615_zpssu4ireqy.jpg) (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/Mcjacob23/media/IMG_20160903_150615_zpssu4ireqy.jpg.html)

(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a442/Mcjacob23/IMG_20160903_150800_zps8fhypstc.jpg) (http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/Mcjacob23/media/IMG_20160903_150800_zps8fhypstc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: well past my peak on September 03, 2016, 07:29:55 AM
win win
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Seniorplayer on September 03, 2016, 09:24:29 AM
In my experience there's  no real problem with those type of cracks the willow is just brittle
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Buzz on September 03, 2016, 09:45:02 AM
Agreed, I would put another coat of oil on it, leave it for a day or two then put some tape over the cracked bits and enjoy it.
I suspect it will go well.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on September 03, 2016, 10:08:12 AM
Agreed, I would put another coat of oil on it, leave it for a day or two then put some tape over the cracked bits and enjoy it.
I suspect it will go well.

Next coat will go on tomorrow, it pings like crazy so I'm hopeful your suspicions will be correct.
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: Drupy01 on September 03, 2016, 09:00:08 PM
Looking good mate! Seems to have worked out well. Still can't believe it's a 404!
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: tom line on September 03, 2016, 09:18:38 PM
Looking good mate! Seems to have worked out well. Still can't believe it's a 404!
From what I've seen GM don't like heartwood so any bats with heartwood tend to get marked down a definite few grades more than they could be graded at as for example this to me could be an 808 or higher
Title: Re: GM Mana trouble
Post by: HellomynameisJ on September 03, 2016, 10:30:24 PM
Looking good mate! Seems to have worked out well. Still can't believe it's a 404!
I couldn't believe my luck when I opened the box and saw this, it frustrates me that they bleach these bats, had I seen this in store it would be the first bat I tap up, and for $100 aud I would have been over the moon.

From what I've seen GM don't like heartwood so any bats with heartwood tend to get marked down a definite few grades more than they could be graded at as for example this to me could be an 808 or higher

I can see why they would want to avoid it with the CNC and pressing process, any wood that wouldn't react normally to the process would be an issue