Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: kenbriooo on October 10, 2010, 03:28:27 PM

Title: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: kenbriooo on October 10, 2010, 03:28:27 PM
I know there are several companies out there that offer a service where you can go to them and have a bat while you wait.  You pick the cleft and discuss how you want it made etc, they make it  and you leave with a true custom bat.  I know M&H and Mongoose do this amongst others. 

Anyone out there done this and what are your thoughts and oppionions on this service?

Cheers
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: jimba101 on October 10, 2010, 03:37:05 PM
i went and saw tony at hunts county a couple of years back. picked the cleft i wanted and he made it to my likings etc. only took an hour or two, really good service and the bat was lovely!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: johan95 on October 10, 2010, 03:53:20 PM
I've not used this type of service, but my opinion is that if you are very specific about what you want with a bat, then it is best to utilise this, that way you can see the bat made right under your nose, exactly to your specs and desires. Probs worth the extra money if you want a real top-notch bat made to exceptionally exact specs...
 :)
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Richard on October 10, 2010, 03:59:42 PM
Nixon do, i went and Nick had the choice of about 6 or 7 clefts pressed and handled. The rest was down to what i wanted.
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: ianbuchanan on October 10, 2010, 04:10:45 PM
I had mine done at M&H a couple of years back. Went in, chose the cleft, discussed what sort of weight/profile/handle thickness/pick-up etc. I watched every process that was involved, and once is was finished I decided what Labels and Grip I wanted.

When I had it done it was worth every penny in the £250 I paid, as it was a cracking bat that is still going strong now (Will be in its 4th season next year). I think it costs about £300 sheets at the moment, but it is a bat that will play extremely well and is bound to last a long time!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: 19reading87 on October 10, 2010, 04:30:51 PM
I went to Hunts county nearly year ago and they did exactly what you stated mate. Numerous Clefts to choose from and did everything in from of my own eyes. And for the price of £185 is a was a phenomenal experience :D
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: revboy on October 10, 2010, 05:10:34 PM
I have had this experience from Saf bats. Doesnt get much better than having your bat made to your spec whilst you wait
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: skippy on October 10, 2010, 05:30:29 PM
I have had this experience from Saf bats. Doesnt get much better than having your bat made to your spec whilst you wait
I thought Andy just shaped part mades?
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: revboy on October 10, 2010, 05:44:03 PM
I thought Andy just shaped part mades?

I am under the impression that he makes his bats. However, the bats I had made were shaped from a cleft with a handle in them if that makes sense.
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: GJ on October 10, 2010, 06:33:25 PM
I was about to ask that exact question. I think there was talk a while ago that he was getting his own press for his bats... Maybe revboy can enlighten us as he was at the workshop recently  :)
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: FattusCattus on October 10, 2010, 08:10:03 PM
I have had the Fusion experience, and it was excellent - a perfect few hours spent for a bat-nerd like me. Seeing the bat made in front of you, and then getting to take it into a private net and whack a few balls. I didn't get to choose the cleft though - not that I have a problem with this, as i could only pick one from the point of cosmetics.

I shall be repeating this at SAF in the next couple of weeks. I expect the experience to be even better, as there is a pub nearby and Andy has promised there will be cake!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: revboy on October 10, 2010, 08:55:39 PM
I was about to ask that exact question. I think there was talk a while ago that he was getting his own press for his bats... Maybe revboy can enlighten us as he was at the workshop recently  :)

Andy told me he has own press and he presses his own bats, although it is currently not in his workshop. I think I was at his new workshop. 
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Wills on October 10, 2010, 08:59:01 PM
I have had the Fusion experience, and it was excellent - a perfect few hours spent for a bat-nerd like me. Seeing the bat made in front of you, and then getting to take it into a private net and whack a few balls. I didn't get to choose the cleft though - not that I have a problem with this, as i could only pick one from the point of cosmetics.

I shall be repeating this at SAF in the next couple of weeks. I expect the experience to be even better, as there is a pub nearby and Andy has promised there will be cake!

I'm guessing that's your idea of heaven!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: FattusCattus on October 10, 2010, 09:08:53 PM
Oh yeah baby! I won't sleep the night before. If Andy had a topless lady in his workshop, that would be all 4 of my favourite things!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: SAF Bats on October 12, 2010, 06:22:31 PM
yes I have a press - if you want to book in to a hotel for the 24hr wait whislt the handle dries in the cleft then you can watch it all.  If not expect to chose from handled clefts
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Howzat on October 12, 2010, 06:40:53 PM
It doesn't take 24 hours for glue to dry!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on October 12, 2010, 06:44:56 PM
I would say it depends on whta glue Andy is using and I wouldnt wanna risk clamping a bat by the handle and having it move though for the sake of not being patient!
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Tom on October 12, 2010, 07:37:32 PM
It doesn't take 24 hours for glue to dry!
It does!!

I had a bat dropped off last week, made by a very well renowned forum member, The glue had been left to dry for 5 hours, first ball the handle fell out.
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Howzat on October 12, 2010, 07:45:17 PM
It does!!

I had a bat dropped off last week, made by a very well renowned forum member, The glue had been left to dry for 5 hours, first ball the handle fell out.
Spill the beans then... maybe it was the same forum member who told me glue doesnt take 24 hours to dry haha!?
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Redback Cricket on October 12, 2010, 08:03:35 PM
PVA types of glue will take 24 hrs for a full bond strength, animal type glues will be workable with quicker sometimes within 10-15 mins but still wont be at full strength for some time.  With any glue its always best to leave it until its fully set before working with it
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on October 12, 2010, 08:11:01 PM
Spill the beans then... maybe it was the same forum member who told me glue doesnt take 24 hours to dry haha!?

dont believe everything your told!!!! ;)
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Canners on October 12, 2010, 08:17:00 PM

This is getting good :)
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: SAF Bats on October 12, 2010, 09:01:36 PM
It doesn't take 24 hours for glue to dry!

maybe I should have said curing time but either way I think you have a reply to your statement

 
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Talisman on October 13, 2010, 11:51:19 AM
It does!!

I had a bat dropped off last week, made by a very well renowned forum member, The glue had been left to dry for 5 hours, first ball the handle fell out.

Does it have anything to do with the splice?
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Tom on October 13, 2010, 11:54:01 AM
Yes, it hadn't dried sufficiently. As there's less of a join I guess full drying time is more important.
Title: Re: True Custom Made Experience
Post by: Talisman on October 13, 2010, 11:55:52 AM
I mean't the cut, being smaller there is less surface area for the bond and thus less strength.