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[ajmw89]

So, a friend wanted me to make him a traditional styled bat at about 2lb 8oz/ 2lb 9oz and after getting a beauty of a cleft in from matt at H4L this is the result.
17 mm edges and a whopping 50mm spine.  Finished weight about 2lb 9.5oz

Sorry the image quality is a bit rubbish.  I'll try and get some more up later once I can get my camera pics uploaded onto my laptop

[norbs]

Good honest [unlike some I've seen] effort well done

If you need any advice and I'm not to busy feel free to call me

[Kulli]

Norbs, are you implying some people have been buying bats and passing them off as their own?

[ajmw89]

Good honest [unlike some I've seen] effort well done

If you need any advice and I'm not to busy feel free to call me

Cheers.  It's mainly the shoulders I struggle with.  They're still not straight, so i may take it back to the workshop instead of delivering it to my friend, just to try and get them right.  Although, personally, I want to keep this one as the sound of the mallet and the rebound is really nice!

I enjoyed making one for myself earlier in the summer, that I thought I'd try and turn it into a hobby, although it's starting to border on obsession now! 
I've already had a couple more friends interested, so hopefully I'll have a few more to post in the coming months!

[norbs]

Norbs, are you implying some people have been buying bats and passing them off as their own?

I can hold my hands up and honestly say I dont supply anyone bats or part mades

Cheers.  It's mainly the shoulders I struggle with.  They're still not straight, so i may take it back to the workshop instead of delivering it to my friend, just to try and get them right.  Although, personally, I want to keep this one as the sound of the mallet and the rebound is really nice!

I enjoyed making one for myself earlier in the summer, that I thought I'd try and turn it into a hobby, although it's starting to border on obsession now! 
I've already had a couple more friends interested, so hopefully I'll have a few more to post in the coming months!

Obsession is a good word.... 

[ajmw89]

I can hold my hands up and honestly say I dont supply anyone bats or part mades

I only get part mades at the minute, but I'd like to learn how to press a cleft (and also get a press!)  Although I think I'd need to clear out a lot of the junk in my parent's garage to make room for a press! That and a fair wodge of cash for the press...

[PedalsMcgrew]

Norbs, are you implying some people have been buying bats and passing them off as their own?

I believe he is and in the case I think he's referring to I tend to agree with him....

[Red Ink Cricket]

bat looks good. decent effort that.

Shoulders are one thing i struggled with at the start. i find using a engineers square to get a straight line, front back and the edges helps. i also find that because the face is rounded slightly its worth doing the line from both edges rather than just one side to make sure its spot on.
i get the shape of the bat to where i want it then fine tune the shoulders and shape the handle. make sure all the tools you use are sharp and take your time.

what do you use to shape the shoulders?

[ajmw89]

Cheers

I drew a line on front and back with a set square, got the final line about right, but the curve between the hande and shoulder doesn't quite look even.

I started off doing the shoulders, as I found them the most difficult part on the first one I made.  I mainly used my drawknife and spokeshaves, and a couple of round and half round rasp files.

[trypewriter]

Good effort - with practice comes perfection 

[ajmw89]

Cheers

[Red Ink Cricket]

Im constantly moving mine around in the vice to get the shoulders right. its just practice really. i use my draw knife first then fine tune with a round bottomed spokeshave. seems to do the trick

[ajmw89]

I should probably get a round-bottom spokeshave then.  I have one with a flat bottom and a slightly smaller one with a flat bottom, but it's small enough to just about get into the curve.

[mad_abt_cricket]

I only get part mades at the minute, but I'd like to learn how to press a cleft (and also get a press!)  Although I think I'd need to clear out a lot of the junk in my parent's garage to make room for a press! That and a fair wodge of cash for the press...

Pretty good effort.

Making bats from Part made clefts does take lot of skill and effort.

It is ideal to know and master the whole process but it is not possible for everyone, specially those who work part time as a hobby and I would think these efforts should be appreciated.

[norbs]

I should probably get a round-bottom spokeshave then.  I have one with a flat bottom and a slightly smaller one with a flat bottom, but it's small enough to just about get into the curve.

round bottom spokeshave, that is easiest way of doing it and sharpen it to within and inch of its life

Turn the bat in the vice so the edge is pointing toward the ceiling and get to work....