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[procricket]

This is not a advertising thread this is my day a bat and kit  badger and long time forum member..

Today i got let out of work early at 1045 so i thought i would have a trip down to B3 and collect a few orders plus go through a few points with the gang.

I got there and bang I did my first half a days work in the workshop Yes i know big wow but this has been my dream since i was a small boy this was winning the world cup type stuff.

My first task was to refurbish 2 customers bats i mean they actually let me loose I was shaking to a leaf because this was it this was for real no more little shed and messing this was it...

Gavin the master craftsman and Neil both showed me the ropes and i completed my first repair job a crack on the side and twined it up and clamp and moved on to bat to and finished in a nervous but timely manor.

Then it was my next task to Knock in 4 bats and boy once again nerves of the fear of what happens if i break it. I went about this job 2 harrows and a three stripe and a one stripe all of them went well and i finished this off i looked around and though wow this is really happening...

Next i got to polish a bat which is harder than i though it was going to be but i stuck at it and when the bat was at the standard required it was placed in a wrap and shipped and i was proud of my achievement no matter how ever small.

Next up was a junior county player i was the shop man and i went through all the pro and cons of various shapes and weights for the young lad and his grandpa asking a loads of questions and me making my first sale...

Now I'm sorry if i bored you all but i have just returned from what i class as my best ever day at work ever and you know what if you dream enough and want it enough and press and press maybe one day you will get the same i did.

For today i was the lad who got his dream and i hope it could in the future be the first of many man the hard yards start now i now know what i have to be.

Oh forgot to add also because it is Chip Shop Friday i even got to offer a chip to a former England Batsman as well how good is that!!!!

got a few pictures

Possible International players bat and our copy..


Streaky and Neil at work!! kind of..


Few clefts Planed and ready for the next process


Just give me a minute i think i can fix it..








I have a movie but it is taking a time to upload.

Once again i owe the forum so much and just thank you i really mean it...

Cheers B3 for the chance..

Ps I'm not a sales ambassador either...

[procricket]

Just put a video up close up of the Cnc

Sorry it is not better quality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-by0iATB8c&feature=youtu.be

[Blank Bats]

So all in all a good day at the office Dave ??
Dream job for many mate.

[procricket]

Yes it has been what i have been wanting for so long thought it would never happen.

Brilliant day hard graft do doubt but rewarding

Hope i get another chance soon.
 

[Northern monkey]

Sounds like you had a good day at the office Dave, enjoy and learn every minute mate

With regards to the cnc film,,,interesting to watch one used to shape a bat.
But a huge part of cricket bat manufacturing for me,is the whole 'craft ' behind it
I've watched three people,now, hand craft a bat in front of me, and I suppose after 30 years of working with cnc machines I've become used to what they can do,

Watching Paul Aldred make 'my' bat yesterday, was something I will never forget, similar to how Julian Millichamp works, it was amazing to watch

Two very different approaches

[procricket]

Sounds like you had a good day at the office Dave, enjoy and learn every minute mate

With regards to the cnc film,,,interesting to watch one used to shape a bat.
But a huge part of cricket bat manufacturing for me,is the whole 'craft ' behind it
I've watched three people,now, hand craft a bat in front of me, and I suppose after 30 years of working with cnc machines I've become used to what they can do,

Watching Paul Aldred make 'my' bat yesterday, was something I will never forget, similar to how Julian Millichamp works, it was amazing to watch

Two very different approaches

Kind of agree yet the batamakers who can make a bat too!!!

I understand but the process is not as hollow as you think.

If you design it with Streaky and see the magic of how the cleft is selected it is not a simple any cleft can do operation.

I have too seen many of my bats get made by various people agree it is enjoyable but the feedback from what we do is encouraging.

We are still the only people who can guarantee you the exact shape in a exact weight plain and simple on the open market.

I agree both have there merits but it is not simply press a button and move on bar the exact being meet the process from both handmaker and CnC is the same.

All i know is I get a buzz from going to the HQ and before i joined loved having my bat made and to be fair a ex first class cricketer and coach helping you select what you want then Streaky going through his bits is mental.

I would also same the approaches are very similar ask the people who turn up bar the actual shaping of the back nothing is different bar i guess consistency.

Each to there own though and there is certainly no lost 'craft' and Paul from what i have seen of his work makes a great bat.

I would of course say mate try both and see for yourself tradition meets technology.

Two very similar approaches.

[Northern monkey]

I think, to some extent, there has to be a place in the world for all ways to create bats
I agree with the consistency aspect of cnc manufacture and appreciate that that's just he start of the bat making process

[procricket]

Totally agree mate as most of us are cricket fiends be boring one way I just love cricket and got lucky...

[PM7]

Good on you Dave, your enthusiasm and passion comes across on overy post.

[procricket]

Good on you Dave, your enthusiasm and passion comes across on overy post.

Thank you very much just doing lessons to improve my writing and gammer stuff now..

There has never been better bats out there not just B3 but so many are making great kit my passion is for great kit.

[Seniorplayer]

Dave I am pleased  that  you are living your dream,your passion and enthusiasm will go along way towards you to achieving your goals.

[fasteddie]

Dong a job which really gives you a kick is a privileged.

So many trudge to and fro for years.

Delighted you've found a place to grow and truly enjoy.

[procricket]

Still got 6 years in my day job to finish but the aim is to go full time after that got along way to prove myslef and that's what I  will try and do.

One hurdle at a time but thanks for the comments people just any people out there with a similar dream don't gve up on it keep going till you get what you want never give up.

I'm in truth along way from that but I'm still buzzing today even though cricket is off it was brilliant.

Fasteddie I agree it is a privilege one I hope to get more of.


Also to all those makers in the industry my bat goes off to you all hard graft for sure

[tejasapatel]

Dave,

Very few people are lucky to do what they love for living.

Wish you best in terms of making this a full time day job.

[cricketbadger]

Couldnt be anymore jealous if I tried Dave. I'd love the chance to experience it, Im sure you will make the most of it

having seen the b3 gear at headingley expo I was seriously impressed with it all and need to get myself down there to check the place out