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[Danny1870]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and have decided to have a go at making, well shaping a handled and pressed cleft. i am going to use a grade 3 cleft to start with so if it goes all wrong its not the end of the world.

is there anything i should avoid doing when shaping the cleft? or is it literally just trial and error at first?

other than a drawknife, plane, spokeshave and sander are there any other tools that make it easier?

is it best to just have a go and see what turns out or to try and copy or follow the shape of another bat for guidance?


any help greatly appreciated,

thanks

danny

[ajmw89]

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=20740.0

Try this mate

[mad_abt_cricket]

Go with your instinct mate..the shape which you personally follow..draw the profile on one side of the edge with a pen or pencil and then once you reach that profile by removing the wood... copy the exact profile on the other side... most importantly take your time and  have fun .. all the best

[Ryan]

If you're really serious about it then take some time to search the forum, a lot of people have asked the same questions over and over again. There's plenty of good threads to help you out and should answer any questions. 

[chaudhari21]

I got a quick question for you guys. I am in the same boat looking to make my first bat ever. Is there video that shows this from the beginning to the end? I have seen the Andrew and also James's video's on their website. Also are there specific Drawknife for willow or would any really work? Also can I possibly buy the cleft pressed and with handle already in it? The reason I am asking all this is I am a P.E teacher here in the U.S. I have been teaching one of my classes how to play cricket and they have a huge interest in the game and bats. A few of the students want to even learn how to make their own bats. We have a woodworking class which the students take and I thought this could be a good idea and would grow  some interest in the sport. However it is very tough to get hold of tools here in the U.S. I went to 4 different stores and most people did not even know what a spoke shave was.

Thanks guys

[Fezballoh]

That's crazy! I would love to go to the US on a tool finding expedition! Anyway, the internet is your friend as it's a better bet buying old tools. Ebay keeps most of us in sharp things here. You can get wooden spoke shaves very cheaply there. As long as your draw knife is sharp then it'll be ok. Try and find one with a long cutting blade (8" or more) like you'll have seen in the videos you've been watching.

Getting a cleft will involve ordering one from one of the sponsors. Matt at Hell For Leather is great and where I and a few others get willow from. I Don't know if Crictech will be able to supply you with something though as he is in the US which might make your postage a bit easier.

Good luck!

[tushar sehgal]

I got a quick question for you guys. I am in the same boat looking to make my first bat ever. Is there video that shows this from the beginning to the end? I have seen the Andrew and also James's video's on their website. Also are there specific Drawknife for willow or would any really work? Also can I possibly buy the cleft pressed and with handle already in it? The reason I am asking all this is I am a P.E teacher here in the U.S. I have been teaching one of my classes how to play cricket and they have a huge interest in the game and bats. A few of the students want to even learn how to make their own bats. We have a woodworking class which the students take and I thought this could be a good idea and would grow  some interest in the sport. However it is very tough to get hold of tools here in the U.S. I went to 4 different stores and most people did not even know what a spoke shave was.

Thanks guys

Samir I can get spoke shaves off Canadiantire.ca here in Canada, have you looked at whatever is the US equivalent? Drawknife might have to be sourced from UK

[chaudhari21]

Thanks guys, looks like you are both right I did try home depot website and was able to find a spoke shave. However, when I visited some of those same stores they did not have at the actual store. So looks like I will have to get most of this stuff online. I found a draw knife at Menards here but it was nothing compared to what I have seen some of the pictures on this forum.  I will continue search on the net. Thanks

[crictech]

I'm in Los Angeles and I have stock of pressed and handled willow. You can get pretty much all the tools you need from ebay, new and second hand or other online stores. For some reason travishers seem to be the hardest to find and most expensive over here

[chaudhari21]

Thanks, I will definitely contact you. Once I get everything organized.

[chaudhari21]

How much would it cost me to have the handled and pressed cleft shipped to chicago. Thanks