Print

[sarg]

I've been through a few refurbs for teammates over summer and have a few thoughts and questions on finishing a bat.

Edges
Simple jobs is just a sand and some steel wool to finish. Then a buff on the polisher.

If real bad, I use  a hobby plane to tidy up the edges after the front and back of the blade are sanded. Then finish as above.

Blade and back

I have a detail sander to go from 80,120,240 depending on the job. This gives me the dreaded twirl lines unfortunately. That only seen to show after a light oil. Then I hand sand at 360, 400 and occasionally a light sand in 800 with the grains. I have recently realised that steel wool can actually replace the lighter grades and is great at removing the twirls. Here are a couple of pics of a ugly Indian monster I just finished. Still needs a final polish.

Post sand and light oil





Came with the ugly white bog.



Huge bat 46 mm edges.

Post steel wool and facing





Questions

Does anyone else have experience with using steel wool and a finishing sand.?Seems very versatile.

Does a random orbital sander definitely not leave twirl marks?

[No.4]

I got myself a random orbit sander after seeing some of the refurbs others have undertaken. Two bats later and I have not experienced any swirl marks. I can dig out some pictures if you like.

[Gurujames]

Random orbit sanders do not leave the scratches you get if you sand across the grain with an orbital sander, and due to their random orbit you don't have to move it u and down the grain as you do with an orbital sand.  I have a few and use them regularly. you will achieve a high level of finish with one. additionally you can fit them with a polishing head to give the bat wax a buff. most cabinet makers apply wax with wire wool so applying bat wax with wire wool is the correct technique.
personally I think sanding it to a 800 grit level is extreme. I rarely go past 240 grit. Bare in mind you will hit a hard, seamed ball with it and indentations and other ball marks are inevitable.
sanded correctly you will achieve a very high quality finish with 240 grit.

[Seniorplayer]

The sander  can leave twirl marks and   steel wool can  create deep Scratches in the
 willow.  Prior to buffing
I find   a better  finish is obtained by sanding vertically  by hand using   different grades of grit until I get the desired finish  required  inc super fine grits  as each finer grade of sandpaper removes the marks left by the previous grade.

[WalkingWicket37]

I use the orbital sander up to 180 grit then do it by hand with 240, 320 and 400.
Works fine in my opinion (and you could probably get away with just using 240 to finish if you're feeling lazy)

[sarg]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the honest feedback. I'm sure i can find room for a orbital sander in my tool box.

[No.4]

That was my logic too! You can always try it out on another piece of wood that isn't as valuable first.