Topic: advice needed on bat alteration (Read 1562 times)

brokenbat · « **on:** March 04, 2014, 01:40:16 PM »

Was hoping I could get some advice on the following:

I am thinking of reducing the spine on one of my bats. I only need to do this towards the very bottom (in the area approx. 50-100mm from the toe). As to why I am doing this, its actually a custom design, that I got slightly wrong (the spine is too high in the area that I want to trim), and so I think I could marginally improve the pickup, by trimming it.

The question I have is�can I simply take a plane, and start gently slicing off the spine? If I do this, I will obviously lose the spine, and the bat will become flatter wherever I use the plane. Other than cosmetics, are there any cons to this? Once again, I am only doing this towards the very bottom of the bat (50-100mm from the toe).

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:43:51 PM »

No issue doing this mate, just make sure you don't take it off at a funny angle!

I reduced the spine all the way down one of my bats with 80 grit sandpaper and a sanding machine and it goes like a rocket launcher!

brokenbat · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:45:50 PM »

all the way down? so you ended up losing the spine? or did it end up looking like a very broad and fat spine, instead of the razor sharp, thin ones we usually see?

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:47:44 PM »

It's now a more rounded and broad spine, rather than the sharp ones people are used to seeing.

brokenbat · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2014, 01:57:25 PM »

ok good to know.. so i guess i do NOT need to worry about preserving a sharp spine.. especially given that my adjustment will be in such a small area.

Red Ink Cricket · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2014, 02:22:22 PM »

by doing what you are doing you will make the spine square looking where you have flattened it out. all you need to do is to thin out the sides of the square to bring the spine back to the a sharp point. this will also remove a little extra willow so will make the pick up better than leaving it flat/square

brokenbat · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2014, 02:29:28 PM »

Quote from: Red Ink Cricket on March 04, 2014, 02:22:22 PM

by doing what you are doing you will make the spine square looking where you have flattened it out. all you need to do is to thin out the sides of the square to bring the spine back to the a sharp point. this will also remove a little extra willow so will make the pick up better than leaving it flat/square

I can easily get the square shape, by using a plane, but what tool should I use to thin out the sides of the square and bring back the sharp spine?

Red Ink Cricket · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2014, 03:43:30 PM »

the same plane should be able to do it.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2014, 03:59:58 PM »

I have reduced the spines on bats using a sander and 60 grit sandpaper.

brokenbat · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2014, 05:03:04 PM »

the plane limits maneuverability a bit. would this (link below) be a better tool to use?

http://www.garrettwade.com/swedish-push-knife/p/04D04.04/

Author Topic: advice needed on bat alteration (Read 1562 times)

brokenbat

advice needed on bat alteration

WalkingWicket37

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

brokenbat

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

WalkingWicket37

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

brokenbat

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

Red Ink Cricket

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

brokenbat

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

Red Ink Cricket

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

Seniorplayer

Re: advice needed on bat alteration

brokenbat

Re: advice needed on bat alteration