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[BigBlueMachine]

Just stumbled across Dingbat Sports. Never heard of him before. I like what he's trying to based on his video. Can't really tell what his bats are like as his website isn't very extensive. Anybody heard/used a DBS bat before?

http://youtu.be/ANDFYP3Dlns

[petehosk]

Ok - most of the video looks good. Just not sure when he states that he does the making from raw cleft to the finish?
This suggests that he presses the bats and handles them too! If he does not press and handle them, then this is very misleading and he shouldn't indicate that he does!
But if he does do those tasks himself, I'd like to see more about this! Who he has learned to press from, who he learnt his other skills from?
And which press he uses? They are a very expensive item, so I can only imagine that he is using one from another brand?

[Red Ink Cricket]

Ok - most of the video looks good. Just not sure when he states that he does the making from raw cleft to the finish?
This suggests that he presses the bats and handles them too! If he does not press and handle them, then this is very misleading and he shouldn't indicate that he does!
But if he does do those tasks himself, I'd like to see more about this! Who he has learned to press from, who he learnt his other skills from?
And which press he uses? They are a very expensive item, so I can only imagine that he is using one from another brand?

His name is Lachlan and ive had a few chats with him. young guy but seems to be learning- all self taught as far as im aware. He does indeed press and handle the clefts himself. the press he has uses a Nylon roller rather than a steel one. ive seen images of his press ( which i requested) and also images of a splicing saw/jig he had for sale. I believe the saw is from india but the press was made in WA australia.

clefts,i believe are all english willow and handles are sourced from a supplier in india rather than the UK or NZ

[BigBlueMachine]

Yes he seems to have all the gear and does indeed go all the way from raw cleft to finished bat including splicing and pressing. If you have a look around his Facebook or twitter accounts you can see plenty of pics, including his press and old splicing maching. His press looks very high tec compared to some I've seen.

[MD2812]

Taken from his FB, is there a benefit to a Nylon or Metal press?

I've also seen some companies seem to put something between the press and the cleft, is that common?




One maybe for the bat makers among us, anyone able to explain? Was an "Ian Callen" Bat, a Melbourne based pod shaver apparently.

[smokem]

I remember the GN Ultimates (in the 90's as used by Boon, Slater, etc) had a hole drilled down the length of the blade like that also? Just a way of improving pickup without affecting power (in theory).

[dingbatsports]

Hi all,

I was pointed in the direction of this forum topic by a customer who happened to notice the name "Dingbat Sports" and alerted me to it straight away! So now I have signed up, I would like to say howdy to everyone! My name is Lachlan, im 20 and am based in Australia, and I am the owner/founder/podshaver (/whatever you want to call me) of Dingbat Sports 

To answer a few of the questions I noticed:
- Yes, I am making the bats from scratch (cleft and handle) which obviously means im fitting the handles, machining the clefts, pressing etc.
- The press is in fact mine.
- I am self taught in podshaving.

A bit of background information on what I do: I have been repairing bats for 5 years now, most of my clients are sports stores through-out Victoria. The main goal of mine has always been to make high quality hand crafted cricket bats, but acquiring all the machinery and teaching yourself is obviously quite the struggle, especially at such a young age. So repairing cricket bats from the age of 15 seamed the only way to get the ball rolling. I am now at the point where I believe I have all the machinery required to create a top class cricket bat. However, unfortunately there isnt a TAFE course in podshaving available, or a vast number of professionals in this country to sponge off, (Screaming Cat, Bradbury and Fisher are the only ones in AUS I can think of) so learning for me has been trail and error! Yes that means wasting perfectly good clefts of willow, not to mention money  I know the first thing people will do (understandably) is question my experience and age and education, but im giving it a red hot crack, and hopefully the results will show sooner or later. I think im heading in the right direction.

Hope this helps with any confusion. Feel free to ask any more question if you have any
Cheers, Lachlan

PS: I have noticed this website before but never bothered to sign up, silly me!

[Red Ink Cricket]

Hi all,

I was pointed in the direction of this forum topic by a customer who happened to notice the name "Dingbat Sports" and alerted me to it straight away! So now I have signed up, I would like to say howdy to everyone! My name is Lachlan, im 20 and am based in Australia, and I am the owner/founder/podshaver (/whatever you want to call me) of Dingbat Sports 

To answer a few of the questions I noticed:
- Yes, I am making the bats from scratch (cleft and handle) which obviously means im fitting the handles, machining the clefts, pressing etc.
- The press is in fact mine.
- I am self taught in podshaving.

A bit of background information on what I do: I have been repairing bats for 5 years now, most of my clients are sports stores through-out Victoria. The main goal of mine has always been to make high quality hand crafted cricket bats, but acquiring all the machinery and teaching yourself is obviously quite the struggle, especially at such a young age. So repairing cricket bats from the age of 15 seamed the only way to get the ball rolling. I am now at the point where I believe I have all the machinery required to create a top class cricket bat. However, unfortunately there isnt a TAFE course in podshaving available, or a vast number of professionals in this country to sponge off, (Screaming Cat, Bradbury and Fisher are the only ones in AUS I can think of) so learning for me has been trail and error! Yes that means wasting perfectly good clefts of willow, not to mention money  I know the first thing people will do (understandably) is question my experience and age and education, but im giving it a red hot crack, and hopefully the results will show sooner or later. I think im heading in the right direction.

Hope this helps with any confusion. Feel free to ask any more question if you have any
Cheers, Lachlan

PS: I have noticed this website before but never bothered to sign up, silly me!

Good to see you on here mate

[MD2812]

Welcome to the forum!

I hope you don't mind me lifting your photos off facebook, thought it would be good for people to see what you do! (and the last one was pure interest)

I've also messaged you in regards to bat refurbs, so thanks for your help so far!

[mad_abt_cricket]

Welcome to the forum Lachlan.

Really liked your introduction video. It's nice to see what you have gained so far at this age.

I wish you all the best!

[justnotcricket86]

Welcome to the forum mate, good to see someone like you having a crack! Wish you all the best pal.

Now show us some photos of your wood

[tushar sehgal]

Hi all,

I was pointed in the direction of this forum topic by a customer who happened to notice the name "Dingbat Sports" and alerted me to it straight away! So now I have signed up, I would like to say howdy to everyone! My name is Lachlan, im 20 and am based in Australia, and I am the owner/founder/podshaver (/whatever you want to call me) of Dingbat Sports 

To answer a few of the questions I noticed:
- Yes, I am making the bats from scratch (cleft and handle) which obviously means im fitting the handles, machining the clefts, pressing etc.
- The press is in fact mine.
- I am self taught in podshaving.

A bit of background information on what I do: I have been repairing bats for 5 years now, most of my clients are sports stores through-out Victoria. The main goal of mine has always been to make high quality hand crafted cricket bats, but acquiring all the machinery and teaching yourself is obviously quite the struggle, especially at such a young age. So repairing cricket bats from the age of 15 seamed the only way to get the ball rolling. I am now at the point where I believe I have all the machinery required to create a top class cricket bat. However, unfortunately there isnt a TAFE course in podshaving available, or a vast number of professionals in this country to sponge off, (Screaming Cat, Bradbury and Fisher are the only ones in AUS I can think of) so learning for me has been trail and error! Yes that means wasting perfectly good clefts of willow, not to mention money  I know the first thing people will do (understandably) is question my experience and age and education, but im giving it a red hot crack, and hopefully the results will show sooner or later. I think im heading in the right direction.

Hope this helps with any confusion. Feel free to ask any more question if you have any
Cheers, Lachlan

PS: I have noticed this website before but never bothered to sign up, silly me!

Welcome to the forum mate, hope you enjoy your stay and folks aren't too mean to you ...whats the motivation behind the name of the brand?

[justnotcricket86]

I believe dingbat is aussie slang for idiot/numpty haha.

Also, it's one of those funny symbols used in Word?

[shoab68]

Welcome to the forum and good luck mate, why don't you post some pics of bats you've made.

[tim2000s]

I remember the GN Ultimates (in the 90's as used by Boon, Slater, etc) had a hole drilled down the length of the blade like that also? Just a way of improving pickup without affecting power (in theory).

Both Hunts County reflex and Turbo did the same thing.