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[adb club cricketer]

Guys,

I need your expert insights on best way to thicken a bat handle that is too thin without adding too much weight. I tried adding extra grip but I found it is adding the weight by about 1.5-2 oz which is making it too heavy for me and limiting my strokeplay. Even adding a thin chevron grip increased weight by 1.2 oz which is still not preferable as my current bat weight with thin handle is the correct weight that I am used to. So that is not an option. Would like to know if it is possible to thicken handle by other ways that doesn't add much weight.

Thanks in advance.

[InternalTraining]

Try using medical tape on top of the binding to thicken the handle. This would give you a few mm of thickness.

[Biggie Smalls]

Binding for a short handle weighs approx .5 oz , you could do that . Even lighter though , would be medical tape , as mentioned above.

[adb club cricketer]

Binding for a short handle weighs approx .5 oz , you could do that . Even lighter though , would be medical tape , as mentioned above.

Thanks! Can you clarify what you mean by binding. You mean the same thread as the one already on the handle? If so, what thread would that be if I try to buy it in a store.

I am going to try both methods suggested above and see how it goes.

[Seniorplayer]

Use medical tape or zinc tape it is easier to work with and will  achieve what  you want and much easier to wrap when binding by hand than  threads it will also  give a smoother finish .
The thread  batmakers use is best cotton as its stronger avoid nylon as it streches

[Seniorplayer]

Forgot to mention when you do use  thread  to thicken the handle recommend a light coat of PVA glue

[brokenbat]

Use thread (you can get thick "butcher's twine" from any hardware store) if you want more bulk..tape is only going to add minor thickness. Apply PVA glue to the handle, and start from the top, wrapping the twine tightly by hand (it gets messy!!).

This is my preferred method, as it adds less weight (about 1 oz for the thicker twine). You may also want to wear gloves to avoid blisters.

[Seniorplayer]

Wouldn't use Butchers twine well not unless you are going to put your bat in the oven.....

[Churchy1989]

@adb club cricketer I use his one, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170847680644?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT, works fine.

I cut an old grip around 4 inchs long 2cm wide in strips. tape them to the handle (front and back) add another layer of string, glue, find it make a thick oval shape.

[adb club cricketer]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.

Before using glue, I wanted to check how much the rope binding all through the handle would add to weight. I bought a cotton twine/rope from hardware store, tied it at bottom of handle, wrapped it all along the handle to the top, then tied it again at top.  I added tape on top of the tied parts at bottom and top of handle to secure the tied parts. So far there was only 0.4 oz increase in weight. I then added tape all the way from bottom to top to make up for not using glue. So far 0.7 oz increase in weight. Added grip finally. Quite happy with end result of just 0.7 oz increase in weight and I could always remove the tape on top to have it at 0.4 oz increase. Bat feels very good now with the thick handle. Only thing though is that since I didnt use glue to bind, I am not sure how long it ll stay  in place, but I decided to still use it the way it is now and see how long it lasts. Worst case if it comes off after just a few games, I will redo it with glue. All in all, very happy.



Cheers!

[Biggie Smalls]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.

Before using glue, I wanted to check how much the rope binding all through the handle would add to weight. I bought a cotton twine/rope from hardware store, tied it at bottom of handle, wrapped it all along the handle to the top, then tied it again at top.  I added tape on top of the tied parts at bottom and top of handle to secure the tied parts. So far there was only 0.4 oz increase in weight. I then added tape all the way from bottom to top to make up for not using glue. So far 0.7 oz increase in weight. Added grip finally. Quite happy with end result of just 0.7 oz increase in weight and I could always remove the tape on top to have it at 0.4 oz increase. Bat feels very good now with the thick handle. Only thing though is that since I didnt use glue to bind, I am not sure how long it ll stay  in place, but I decided to still use it the way it is now and see how long it lasts. Worst case if it comes off after just a few games, I will redo it with glue. All in all, very happy.




When you get glue just smear glue over the bottom inch or so and let it set hard , should be sweet then (providing the binding is tight).

Cheers!

[Seniorplayer]

A little trick bat makers use when finishing of binding is a slip knot.

[adb club cricketer]

Not able to embed the pics. Is there another way to do this?

[adb club cricketer]

Thanks for the info. Trying again to attach.

[Blazer]

Tennis racket grip cut into smaller pieces placed under the bat grip can make the handle bulkier without much added weight. I have used a tennis grip under a chevron.