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[GarrettJ]

I received a spokeshave last night so had a quick go at reshaping the toe of a B&S that I have .... done on the kitchen table with my body as the vice! No sanding done or finishing just purely practising using a spokeshave for the first time. Took a few goes to get the blade set right to remove thin shavings.

[Wickets-then-runs]

Looks really clean which mustn't have been easy especially without a vice! Well done!

[Bruce]

How much did you manage to get off?

[GarrettJ]

thanks

stuck the toe of the bat in my gut and then just yanked the tool towards me ... a bit primitive but was just practising getting used to the feel of the tool.

not sure i will have the same success with the shoulder/handle .... now that looks like it takes a lot of skill.

[Bruce]

More innuendo than you can shake a stick at 

[GarrettJ]

More innuendo than you can shake a stick at 

it was a real pleasure stroking someone else's piece of wood up and down with my tool.

How much did you manage to get off?

The spine went down at the same angle and I made it sort of flat at the bottom.

I wasnt aiming to do a certain reduction, just practice using the tool.

[mad_abt_cricket]

It is really hard without a vice, considering that it is a nice start for you.

[procricket]

Looking good John mate i'm looking forward to you moving back up North should be good with you and Easo local think there a master craftsman there bud.

[GarrettJ]

Made a start on the cleft

Done the shape, got it under 3lb and given it a little sand to see how it looks. I think it's a lot better than I thought it would be. I haven't got a travisher so can't concave it easily. As a result it's a full profile

Problems for me were:

The shoulders, I took a little bit too much off by accident .... Very easy to cock up this part of the bat I realise
Keeping the edge size .... Again took a little too much off without realising while try to create the spine
Straight spine .... Not easy unless it is marked on with pencil .... Might do that next time
Knot .... Knot on the face is a complete ball ache to work with

The cleft wasn't that shaped to begin with so I'm happy with what I have done

Will post pics later

[GarrettJ]

pre sanding





bit of sanding



one side of the back sanded


i think i can get the finish even better and on par to that of the big bat companies ........ without waxing or buffing on a wheel

[iand123]

Looking promising mate, did you get any lessons or advice or did you just have a crack and see how it went?

[GarrettJ]

Thanks Ian123

Just went it for it myself, apart from advice from a few on here regarding tools to buy

..... Last time I worked with wood and tools was 20 years ago in my CDT gcse!

[AverageCricketer]

Nice job. I like what you did with the shaping of the toe.

[GarrettJ]

Wanted to flatten the toe but keep some meat there at the same time so went for that shape in the toe.

I don't have a travisher so can't concave a bat at the moment which is probably a good thing

[Chad]

Very nice work, John! I don't think you need to worry too much about taking wood off the Python I sent down to you, seems like you're doing things right!