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Equipment => Bats => Bat Making => Topic started by: JK Lewis on January 14, 2018, 06:46:31 PM

Title: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 14, 2018, 06:46:31 PM
Evening all,

Thanks for bearing with me, this has taken a lot longer than it should have! If I was a Pro batmaker there's no doubt I'd be completely broke. But you know, life or whatever. Finally, here's a photo of me in the workshop with Bat No. 1, the first bat I've made with a cleft from the willow I felled last February. It's a G3 I guess, maybe not even that, but beautiful in it's own imperfect way. About 2lb 12oz, 32mm edge and 61mm spine height. Decent result I think, hopefully the first of a few over the next months before the season starts.

It's great to have reached this point, the project continues in 2018...

(https://s13.postimg.org/80nad4xgn/Bat_1.jpg)
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: InternalTraining on January 14, 2018, 07:31:33 PM
Congrats!!!

How about some pics of Bat #1? :)
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: KW9221 on January 14, 2018, 07:36:17 PM
Congratulations mate!
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 14, 2018, 08:46:53 PM
Congrats!!!

How about some pics of Bat #1? :)

Alright mate, hope you are doing well. Yeah you're right, I'll try and set up a few good ones and post them up tomorrow.
Cheers, Justin
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 14, 2018, 09:04:12 PM
@InternalTraining  - As requested!

(https://s13.postimg.org/fsd72pit3/Front.jpg)

(https://s13.postimg.org/cya1pa3s7/Back.jpg)

(https://s13.postimg.org/eq30k6uuv/Edge.jpg)
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: jamesisapayne on January 14, 2018, 09:07:25 PM
What a brilliant photo Justin, and the climax of a lot of hard work - it's been a brilliant journey and I've really enjoyed reading your exploits.

I bet the bat felt like the easiest part of the lot!

Great stuff, well done. I'm going to enjoy seeing more of them as and when you get round to it :)
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on January 14, 2018, 09:18:47 PM
Great stuff and what CBF is all about, well done that man 👏
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: Seniorplayer on January 14, 2018, 09:53:32 PM
Well done Justin may the bats continue.
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: Mattsky on January 14, 2018, 10:08:29 PM
Damned top effort, that. I doff my hat to you, sir.
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: edge on January 14, 2018, 11:26:53 PM
Congratulations Justin, looks like that's a great feeling! Really enjoy reading every progress update and the final product looks a very tidy bat, bet you can't wait to stride out the first game of the season with it.
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 14, 2018, 11:40:19 PM
Congratulations Justin, looks like that's a great feeling! Really enjoy reading every progress update and the final product looks a very tidy bat, bet you can't wait to stride out the first game of the season with it.

Alright mate, thanks and yeah, great feeling.  That actual bat will go to the people who allowed me to have the tree -
Its always good to keep people sweet! I'll have one for myself before the season starts.
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: Coach on January 14, 2018, 11:46:59 PM
Congrats JK! Lots of heard work in learning the craft has come to fruition. Keep hold of that one, it will always be special to you
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: InternalTraining on January 15, 2018, 12:34:54 AM
@JK Lewis Nicely done!!!

I have an idea for you @JK Lewis . How  about shaping a handle for your bats like the Axe Bat handle? It will make you a stand out in a field full of old fashioned bat handles. What say you? :)
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 15, 2018, 05:45:54 AM
@JK Lewis Nicely done!!!

I have an idea for you @JK Lewis . How  about shaping a handle for your bats like the Axe Bat handle? It will make you a stand out in a field full of old fashioned bat handles. What say you? :)

Hi mate,
It would be fun to be more creative with the handle but I don't have a lathe so there isn't a great deal that is possible tbh. Maybe in the future I could find a way, but you know how long everything takes me!
Cheers, Justin
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: kenbriooo on January 15, 2018, 07:08:36 AM
Looks good, will you be using it or keeping is safe while you make number 2?
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: northernboy1987 on January 15, 2018, 08:29:05 AM
Top work mate, I was just thinking the other week "I wonder how that bloke who chopped the tree down got on"
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 15, 2018, 12:31:55 PM
Looks good, will you be using it or keeping is safe while you make number 2?

This one is a gift, so keeping it safe for a few weeks. Onto 2 and 3 now!
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: Boondougal on January 15, 2018, 01:58:20 PM
Great achievement.... not too many people get to create something in a way you have. Brilliant outcome.
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: JK Lewis on January 15, 2018, 02:06:55 PM
Great achievement.... not too many people get to create something in a way you have. Brilliant outcome.

Thanks a lot, it's been great fun and very educational! Nice to see some end results now.
Title: Re: At last - Bat No. 1!
Post by: Alvaro on January 15, 2018, 04:01:40 PM
As I said on Facebook, this is a super story.

Very motivating.