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[Sam]

Hey guys ,

new to this forum  and quite interested in bat making (I always have weird things as hobbies ). Just wondering if anyone knew of any good guides on making a bat? Thanks for any help.

[Red Ink Cricket]

Best thing to do is to watch the videos on youtube. plenty on there from some very good bat makers. thats what i did and it helped me alot. Also usefully to have an understanding of woodwork etc.

you can also ask specific questions on here and people are pretty good. sure there is also plenty of other old topics on stuff like this for tips such as ask the bat makers etc

have you started making one yet? have you looked into how to get the tools etc?

[Sam]

Thanks , will have a look around youtube then. Haven't bought a cleft yet but planning on getting a pressed and handled grade 3 one of  h4l to start off with. Where would you recommend getting tools and which tools would be essentials for a first bat?

[Red Ink Cricket]

ebay is good for second hand tools.

you will need:
a drawknife
plane
spokeshave
a decent vice and solid bench
something to concave with if your looking to do that. (travisher/ round bottom plane)
a way of binding the handle.
a decent way to sand with various grades of paper. hand sanding is ok but will take you ages and will be very hard work

also worth getting something to sharpen with as the tools will need to be kept razor sharp.

there were loan kits that were floating around from Peplow but dont know if they are still available. worth dropping him a PM

[Sam]

Thanks , sent a message to peplow and have a check on ebay. How would I bind the handle?

[Red Ink Cricket]

Probably by hand. spread some pva glue on the handle. wrap the binding tightly around the handle and then finish and glue. check out the youtube videos and use the same principles to hand binding.

[Sam]

Ok , one thing I can't quite make out from videos , how is the binding on the handle tied up at the end?

[tim2000s]

ebay is good for second hand tools.

you will need:
a drawknife
plane
spokeshave
a decent vice and solid bench
something to concave with if your looking to do that. (travisher/ round bottom plane)
a way of binding the handle.
a decent way to sand with various grades of paper. hand sanding is ok but will take you ages and will be very hard work

also worth getting something to sharpen with as the tools will need to be kept razor sharp.

there were loan kits that were floating around from Peplow but dont know if they are still available. worth dropping him a PM

Axminster Tools sells both Drawknives and diamond stones which are excellent for keeping the knife sharp.

Having watched an expert, there is no debate for me in round bottomed plane or Travisher/Spokeshave. The round bottomed plane is much easier to control and much less likely to suffer dig in when being used for concaving. They are generally a much better bet than a travisher/spokeshave.

[Abighugeappl]

FletcherUK has some tools for sale

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=18229.msg299878;topicseen#msg299878

[Ryan]

Thanks for that Abighugeappl.

Best thing to do with the binding is to wrap round like johners77 said then when you come to the end you need to place a separate "loop" section of string across the handle. it should lap half over the binding. Then you need to continue binding. You need to make about 3 passes over the "loop". Once you've done that cut the string and thread the end through the loop and pull through. The string should be pulled under the binding tying it off.

[toenails97]

Who knows you could have a hidden talent mate

[ajmw89]

From the bat i've just made, i found you need: Patience, sharp tools, plenty of plasters and a sturdy workbench.
It's very therapeutic though and a good way to relax

[Sam]

Ok , thanks for all the advice guys. So from whats been posted , I need this :

Drawknife
Plane
Curved Plane (Any ideas where I can get one of these as I can't find anywhere?)
Something to sand it with (already got)
Vice and workbench (already got).

(May make an offer on your equipment soon fletcher).

Is there any better place than h4l to buy low grade handled and pressed clefts as well?

Thanks for all the help.