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[Dan W]

Not sure it adds anything - If the cad bats were notably cheaper, or handcrafted ones frequently stuffed up,  it would make sense to the consumer to find it preferable. But not sure either is true?

[WalkingWicket37]

Not sure it adds anything - If the cad bats were notably cheaper, or handcrafted ones frequently stuffed up,  it would make sense to the consumer to find it preferable. But not sure either is true?

Does the CAD mean increased QC and consistency? Yes
Does everyone want all their bats exactly the same? No

All down to personal preference, personally I have nothing against CAD made bats (I own several GMs) and it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if a bat was computer or man made (or a hybrid of the two)

[cesare_in]

Assuming that a CAD bat is more precise and consistent, don't think it would perform any better than a man made bat? Correct?

[Chad]

Assuming that a CAD bat is more precise and consistent, don't think it would perform any better than a man made bat? Correct?

Same vice versa, all down to the cleft and how the bat is pressed. Get a H4L (one that has been initially shaped by machine) or Newbery, and compare it to an Aldred or RPC,  and you'll find that all four perform extremely well.

[DaanalSeed]

I think there's still a bit of an art in this though, because one, as a "podshaver" would have to understand concaving, spines, bow, all of that and how that would affect the performance of the bat. So the shapes produced in this process are still legitimate, for want of a better word.

Also, by hand, if one isn't happy with the shape or how they're going, they can make changes. Once the bat goes into a CNC machine, there's no turning back, so the batmaker has to have complete confidence in his abilities.

[procricket]

To a degree mate your right but remember they have a podshaver there as well who has to be skilled the bats do not come out of the machine finished they have to be carefully finished to ensure the accrucy of the machine is not wasted.

That's where Gavin comes into it if you want to add something you can at this stage

Some people think it just press a button and hey presto far from it

The design stage takes time the calculations then the machining then the batmaker finishes and sometimes tweakes if you want.

It really is where innovation meets tradition and in truth I think you get a more consistent process.

B3 are different as said before your bat will be exactly what you want down to the fine detail.

[smilley792]

Thing I like about b3 is that I'm really rubbish at explaining things.


So normal custom bat.
I give my specs, they reply with, err don't get you on this bit, I try to explain more, they say gotcha, bat arrives, and the middles a tad to high, and the shapes not what I wanted. Close but not quite there.


With b3
I explain what I want, streaky says, errr, don't getcha. So I try again. He say cool I'll play on cad.
Day later get an email with a 3d cad drawing. I can then see my bat and say. Lower the middle, spine abit higher here, take some weight out of shoulders, toe spine abit more pronounced please,
Then a day later another 3d cad drawing, looks spot on that.
1week later bat arrives to the spec of the cad you agreed on.



When a bat arrives and is finished, you can shave more wood off, but you can't add wood back on,
With a cad drawing it can be altered over and over again until happy.

[GarrettJ]

i think what they do is very very good and the way forward in cricket bat making. Use the machine to get the basic shape and a man to finish it off. They still have to press the cleft and handle it so its only a small part that the machine plays but a crucial one in being able to replicate shapes to the millimetre. The performance will still be reliant on the batmaker.

having said that the one thing that is missing from b3 that i thought would be there was a 3d camera/picture facility. I had hoped that i could send them my old bat, they would photograph it and it would instantly be turned into a CAD drawing. No margin for error or manual input into a cad.

[Giraffe208]

i think what they do is very very good and the way forward in cricket bat making. Use the machine to get the basic shape and a man to finish it off. They still have to press the cleft and handle it so its only a small part that the machine plays but a crucial one in being able to replicate shapes to the millimetre. The performance will still be reliant on the batmaker.

having said that the one thing that is missing from b3 that i thought would be there was a 3d camera/picture facility. I had hoped that i could send them my old bat, they would photograph it and it would instantly be turned into a CAD drawing. No margin for error or manual input into a cad.

Couldn't agree more. Nice to be able to replicate a bat they make but an exciting addition would be a direct copy of something that already exists. We always discuss how important the mental side of batting is so to already have confidence in a bat before you use it could be hugely beneficial.

[Buzz]

We always discuss how important the mental side of batting is so to already have confidence in a bat before you use it could be hugely beneficial.

Isn't that the advantage in going into a shop and choosing a pre-made bat? Or actually using a bat in a match (!)

i.e. you find a shape you like and then go to the shop and choose the one you like the pick up/looks/weight/performance of.

Personally I think what B3 are doing is great, I am totally agnostic on machine or man made. But there is such wonderful choice available at so many different prices that you can always eventually find something that works for you on your budget - in Hockey for instance you don't get that range with composite sticks - you get what you pay for. With willow it is a natural product so you can get performance from a 12 grain stunner and a 4 grain butterfly bat.

For me it is finding a bat that gives you absolute confidence  when you walk out to bat - like when I used my first fall sized bat, I remember playing a leg glance (not I shot I had ever played before) and seeing the ball sail out of the ground - or when I took 30odd off an over the first time I used my SAF (it was a village game...!)

Where I am going with this waffle is - find what works - for some a custom made bat is the be all and end all - I actually don't like choosing bats, I never know what to go for. I prefer to say to someone I trust - please can I have xyz, choose me a good one...

[procricket]

I agree 100 per can buzz I have 4 bats and each time I go for a bespoke but come outweigh something they have recommended so I can't grumble.

John who said they do not already have that capability I call it tech grabbing.

All I know is some new additions will be coming from b3 in the technological side of things that will set them apart all in good time.

To leave Gunn and Moore like a few of them did after years of service you must either have balls the size of planets or a very good buisness model.
 

[GarrettJ]

I think what b3 do is the future of bat making. Do they have a camera that can do that pro cricket? Really desperate to get my old bat copied

[Giraffe208]

Isn't that the advantage in going into a shop and choosing a pre-made bat? Or actually using a bat in a match (!)

i.e. you find a shape you like and then go to the shop and choose the one you like the pick up/looks/weight/performance of.

Absolutely but what I was trying to get across is if you have full confidence in a bat which is on it's last legs then the ability to potentially replicate it completely by taking a 3D picture and producing the exact same bat again (granted willow is natural so it will never be exactly the same) then I imagine the potential risk of trying something different could be solved?