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[ajmw89]

Having had a go at making a few bats, I find that the most annoying and laborious part of the process is binding the handle.  Currently, this is done with me turning the bat on my lap whilst keeping the string as tight as I can.

I was wondering if there was any way to make this part easier/quicker?  I realise real bat makers use a lathe, but I can't really afford one big enough...  Has anyone come up with any kind of DIY solution to this problem?

Cheers,
Adam

[mad_abt_cricket]

I am also doing it manually but instead of keeping it on my lap, I fix the bat toe at an angle on the vice and then bind the handle.

[tushar sehgal]

can anyone shoe me what they do with the end of the twine? i.e. how to tie it in a knot and well hidden etc.

[tim2000s]

I decided I couldn't be bothered and went with an electrical tape binding...

[Red Ink Cricket]

check on ebay for a wolf craft lathe. its what i use and its really good, cheap aswell. as the name suggests you power it by using a variable speed drill so you control the speed. really straight forward. the points clamp onto your bench and away you. im half way through modifying mine to run using an electric motor i have. Ryan did have one although i cant remember if he sold it or not

[ajmw89]

can anyone shoe me what they do with the end of the twine? i.e. how to tie it in a knot and well hidden etc.

I cut some string off and make a loop before I start. When I get to the end, I put the loop over the last line of string then I wrap around 3 or 4 more time, then cut the end and pull on the loop, so the loose end comes through.  I cut the excess poking out to tidy up and that usually does the trick

[Red Ink Cricket]

can anyone shoe me what they do with the end of the twine? i.e. how to tie it in a knot and well hidden etc.

make a loop with a spare bit. when your almost finished. put the loop at the shoulder of the bat so the loop is near the toe end not the handle end- make sure there is enough sticking out the end to continue to bind for another couple of rotations. when you have gone round a few more times cut the end off so you have a little extra. pop the cut of bit through the loop you have made, hold the end of the binding in place (the final part of the last bit of binding you made) then pull the loop up towards the handle. trim off the excess. easy.

[mad_abt_cricket]

can anyone shoe me what they do with the end of the twine? i.e. how to tie it in a knot and well hidden etc.

Just when last 5 or 6 rotations remain near the shoulder, place a small thread with a loop and then complete the remaining rotations. Then take the end of the thread inside the loop and pull the loop up towards the handle top so that the thread end goes under the rotations. Its a bit like tying a shoe lace .

Cut the excess thread then and spread some glue on them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viRmMwPvOwM

[Ryan]

I bought one ages ago on johnnys recommendations. They're really good! Especially when starting out. I sold mine to Dean @ Vulcan cricket.

To tie off you need to make a separate loop out of a 10cm length of twine. You place this so that it's half on the binding (loop facing towards the blade) then you continue to bind the handle 4 or 5 times cut the twine off and place the cut end through the loop then pull the loop through towards the end of the handle. Hope this helps.

[trypewriter]

you can see julian millichamp doing it here - about 7.55 in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viRmMwPvOwM&feature=relmfu

[ajmw89]

check on ebay for a wolf craft lathe. its what i use and its really good, cheap aswell. as the name suggests you power it by using a variable speed drill so you control the speed. really straight forward. the points clamp onto your bench and away you. im half way through modifying mine to run using an electric motor i have. Ryan did have one although i cant remember if he sold it or not

That's what I was thinking.  Axminster have one, but it seems too short, although I guess I could take the ends off the bed and fix to a piece of wood that's long enough...

I did think about just having two free-spinning points attached to a wooden frame, so I could turn the bat by hand.

[Red Ink Cricket]

That's what I was thinking.  Axminster have one, but it seems too short, although I guess I could take the ends off the bed and fix to a piece of wood that's long enough...

I did think about just having two free-spinning points attached to a wooden frame, so I could turn the bat by hand.

the beauty of this one is that they clamp individually to your bench. aslong as the edge of the bench is square they line up nicely. you can then use it for any length. i havent got a pic unfotunately but can take one later if you want to see what i mean. not many around but they do pop up on ebay every now and then. as ryan said he used one for a bit and they work great. cheap and easy to set up so keeps your workshop clear if your space is limited

[Red Ink Cricket]

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=18831.0

theres ryans topic so you can see what it is/how it works

[tushar sehgal]

Thanks guys...

[ajmw89]

Cheers guys.  I take it wolfcraft don't make them anymore, as it's not on their website?