Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: bigc92 on April 26, 2018, 10:01:00 AM

Title: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: bigc92 on April 26, 2018, 10:01:00 AM
Hi All,

Got an old stick that I don’t really care about so more than happy if this goes terribly wrong. It’s 2’12 and pretty small so I would guess it’s a pretty dense cleft.

I’d like to see how much I can reduce the weight of it by drying it out. How would you suggest I do this? I’m guessing leaving it in the airing cupboard or on top of a hot radiator won’t do too much?

Love to hear some suggestions? Cheers.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: JK Lewis on April 26, 2018, 10:37:44 AM
I've seen notable weight loss after putting partmade bats in our airing cupboard. The last time i tried, the bat dropped about 3oz in a month, though it started out at around 3lb 8oz (it was partmade as I say, not finished) so there was more available to lose. Its also true that some of the weight was regained later, the garage can be a slightly damp environment through the winter.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Kulli on April 26, 2018, 10:44:38 AM
FAO @procricket
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Northern monkey on April 26, 2018, 11:39:30 AM
I've got clefts drying in my airing cupboard, but they only lose a couple of ounces at the most,, it's at 30c in there
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 26, 2018, 11:49:47 AM
Just taken my  new match bat out of the airing cupboard ready for Saturday  that I put in in December the
 Bat  weight has dropped just off 2 ounces on the scales it doesn't pick up much lighter  though it's now a full size S/H at 2lb 5 1/2 ounce might not use it on Saturday due to the damp and wet don't want the bat gaining bat.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: mattw on April 26, 2018, 12:36:02 PM
You could try using a dehumidifier in an airtight space.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Neon Cricket on April 26, 2018, 12:58:04 PM
You could try using a dehumidifier in an airtight space.

Definitely worth a shot, worked for me. I chucked my dehumidifier and one of my heavier bats in the cupboard under the stairs a few months back. Managed to get just over an oz out of it in a few days of drying so clearly possible - dread to think how much it added to my electricity bill mind!

The bat hasn't picked any of the weight back up yet either which surprised me (last weighed it a week or 2 ago).

(Should add the cupboard obviously isn't completely airtight, so should work miles better in a fully airtight space).
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: InternalTraining on April 26, 2018, 03:27:12 PM
I heard before of the bat weight loss and weight regain as well.  Is it possible to reduce moisture weight permanently? I know that Laver had that problem (weight regain) which they have addressed. 

I have some trampolines that I wouldn't mind losing an ounce, permanently. :)
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on April 26, 2018, 04:09:19 PM
Just taken my  new match bat out of the airing cupboard ready for Saturday  that I put in in December the
 Bat  weight has dropped just off 2 ounces on the scales it doesn't pick up much lighter  though it's now a full size S/H at 2lb 5 1/2 ounce might not use it on Saturday due to the damp and wet don't want the bat gaining bat.

@Seniorplayer what have you gone for this season?

And has it been in the airing cupboard constantly since December? I'd have expected more of an impact on the weight over 4/5 months (I've not done it myself, so may be expecting too much).
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 08:34:30 AM
@Seniorplayer what have you gone for this season?

And has it been in the airing cupboard constantly since December? I'd have expected more of an impact on the weight over 4/5 months (I've not done it myself, so may be expecting too much).


Yes been in the airing cupboard since December next to the central heating boiler and as it as been cold ( inc the coldest March for 100 years ) my missus has kept the heating on. Starting the season  with a GN light XRD omeaga due to a tender elbow.
Hopefully the XRD  handle will reduce  vibration.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Neon Cricket on April 27, 2018, 08:42:40 AM
Starting the season  with a GN light XRD omeaga due to a tender elbow.

Not going to use your pro performance mate? Far too good a bat to leave in the kit bag!
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 08:46:37 AM
Not till it gets dryer and feel a bit stronger also nearly brought a GN players weighing 2lb  6 ounces  half price direct from GN but when i went o buy from Sportsbay it was sold
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Northern monkey on April 27, 2018, 08:58:04 AM
Senior,,,any chance you could post a pic please,(of your match bat),,always seems to be big monster bats posted on here
Would be nice to see a light bat for once?
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on April 27, 2018, 10:21:46 AM
Drying a bat in an airing cupboard will kill the bat. Good luck getting half a season out of that. Madness
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: bigc92 on April 27, 2018, 10:53:57 AM
Drying a bat in an airing cupboard will kill the bat. Good luck getting half a season out of that. Madness

If you have two bats, same volume but one is more dense so therefore weighs more. Surely drying one out to match the moisture content of the other that’s not an issue? An airing cupboard for example is very gentle compared to sticking it in a wood kiln to dry it? For example I have an SS that has a moisture content 4% lower than a gray nics I own. It’s lasted years.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on April 27, 2018, 11:20:38 AM
If you have two bats, same volume but one is more dense so therefore weighs more. Surely drying one out to match the moisture content of the other that’s not an issue? An airing cupboard for example is very gentle compared to sticking it in a wood kiln to dry it? For example I have an SS that has a moisture content 4% lower than a gray nics I own. It’s lasted years.
Every piece of willow will have a natural density, after either the willow supplier, or maker, has dried the cleft to a certain moisture content over a long period of time.
For example, a GM bat can differ up to 5oz's for the exact same shape.
By sticking it the airing cupboard at 40-50 degrees your accelerating and over drying the bat
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: bigc92 on April 27, 2018, 12:04:10 PM
Every piece of willow will have a natural density, after either the willow supplier, or maker, has dried the cleft to a certain moisture content over a long period of time.
For example, a GM bat can differ up to 5oz's for the exact same shape.
By sticking it the airing cupboard at 40-50 degrees your accelerating and over drying the bat

Well I’m certainly trying it with an old stick as I said to start with that I don’t care about so not worries eh?!
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on April 27, 2018, 12:13:44 PM
Well I’m certainly trying it with an old stick as I said to start with that I don’t care about so not worries eh?!
Yes that’s the best way, on an old stick, no point in ruining a decent bat for a couple of oz’s
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Northern monkey on April 27, 2018, 12:39:35 PM
.?? I’ve dried bats this way for 30yrs , never had a bat break yet
I’m not recommending doing it, but being left in a car or van has the same effect etc. My airing cupboard is 30c,,,my van in summer can be over 40c,,,my car has seen well over 40c if parked in the sun
I’d say this is the one area batmakers are trying new methods, to compete with the Aussie gn bats for instance
Buying public want the big light bats

I’m not talking David Warner style 5percent moisture, just getting as much out as possible
My experience is the bats have a standard moisture once they’ve been dried out, then this can vary a couple of ounces each way depending on storage conditions.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Northern monkey on April 27, 2018, 12:41:35 PM
I’d say crap balls and digging Yorkers out has more to do with breaking bats
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 12:47:34 PM
Drying a bat in an airing cupboard will kill the bat. Good luck getting half a season out of that. Madness

Disagree as I've  reduced  many bats this way and no problems yet.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 12:54:22 PM
Senior,,,any chance you could post a pic please,(of your match bat),,always seems to be big monster bats posted on here
Would be nice to see a light bat for once?

Can't upload on here but if you email me happy to send you pics
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on April 27, 2018, 01:19:58 PM
Can't upload on here but if you email me happy to send you pics

@Seniorplayer fire them over to me Alan, I'll wack them on here for you tonight  :)
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 01:26:55 PM
@Seniorplayer fire them over to me Alan, I'll wack them on here for you tonight  :)
Cam
What's your email address
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: procricket on April 27, 2018, 01:48:33 PM
Messing with bats moisture mmm

Been there
done that
got a t shirt
and got splinters.

It a process of patience and in truth not worth it.

All i will say is many people think a soft pressed bat is like that because it soft pressed when in truth it is overdried.

The airing cupboard is a good way but as somebody has illuded to you have to keep doing it because they normally pick up 50 per cent roughtly over a week or two.

They make your bat brittle do overdrying so you may have to re-knock your bat in as you will see seam marks will appear if you dry it out quite a bit.

I think there better done from new but low density is a kid of fad in a way. (Low density does not equate to performance and in some cases is the exact oppersite).

I have kiln dried i have put in ovens before and radiators and other methods all in truth for me have impacted peformance in a negative way and logevity quite a bit.

Most bats dry out over time well mine do i do not use oil! I your after a ounce or two try it but you may not be happy with the outcome.

Many small makers have been doing it for years to sort there pro out a certian weight or what not Airing cupboard is old hat but drying them abit may not kill your bat as lets look at some Asian bats which are below the content levels and you get size and performance. I guess as Mark has illuded to the reason most bats that are big is because of the conditions as much as natural low density.

I would say if your doing it for the first time do it with a bat that your not bothered about breaking. (guess it also depends how much you bat and how many balls your facing).

Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 01:59:23 PM
Agree with you Dave but for me  getting the moisture below 10 percent is about a lighter pickup.
As we know batmakers like between 10 and 12 percent moisture as they don't want to risk there bats breaking.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on April 27, 2018, 02:09:35 PM
Just out of curiosity, what is the actual impact of moisture content on a bats weight. 

Is it simple as saying "reducing a bat's moisture content down X% will reduce the deadweight by Xoz" or does it vary on a bat to bat basis?

As Dave has already alluded to, is the reduction of a couple of oz really worth the trade off of longevity of your bat?
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on April 27, 2018, 07:31:22 PM
Can't upload on here but if you email me happy to send you pics

(https://i.imgur.com/9u7fstEl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/lZwSxO1l.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/O5ZHW5vl.jpg)
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: Seniorplayer on April 27, 2018, 07:59:43 PM
Thanks For uploading Cam.
I think it's now a big bat for the weight.
Title: Re: Drying a bat to reduce weight
Post by: leatherseat on April 28, 2018, 08:49:48 AM
I have tried it once - successful in bringing the weight down. No damage yet, but it now meets my requirements for suitable pick up.

To try to minimise issues, I used bat wax on the face and edges, to seal them and minimise moisture loss, but not the back. Then put it upside down on a radiator. The intention being to lose the moisture from the back, away from the impact area. It took several months to lose 2oz. not using the wax would have enabled a quicker weight loss, no doubt. but I would have less confidence in the longevity.

Another time I may try the dehumidifier in a cupboard approach, but only after wax sealing the face and edges.

David