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[Ugster]

I have a bat (Hammer Beserker ST LE) that is 2 seasons old. It came new with a scuff sheet applied. About a week ago I had to remove the scuff sheet and found the willow as dry as a bone and the top 2mm of wood lifting away from the rest (so when you press the wood you can feel air beneath it.) I believe the technical term is 'delamination'. I have oiled it twice over a 48 hour period, the wood is still pretty dry and lifting. I did try bouncing a ball up and down on it and the surface looks like it is just going to smash and break away if I use it in a game.

Should I oil it more? Would applying a scuff sheet keep the willow from smashing up? Would appreciate any help if anyone has any prior knowledge in this area. Many thanks

[Alvaro]

I would suggest you get it professionally repaired.

[horseman]

@WalkingWicket37 or @wayward_hayward love a repair. I imagine its glue based, but they'll let you know the details.

[uknsaunders]

Tap the wood, does the pitch change? Sounds like delamination and the only way to repair it is to get under the wood and glue it back down.

[Ugster]

Thanks Alvaro. You are probably right. I have just searched the site for 'delamination' (which I probably should have done prior to posting - my apologies to admin) and a few suggestions for home repairs.

[Ugster]

uknsaunders - the pitch does indeed change - looks like it is time for glue. Thank you all for your help

[Seniorplayer]

Try this first PVA Glue the delamination back onto the bat wrap tightly with parcel tape leave for 24 hours then
Remove tape if repair okay (which it should be )  clean off excess glue and apply new scuff sheet.

[Ugster]

Thanks. Forgive my ignorance but I guess PVA glue is not the same as superglue?

[TangoWhiskey]

I have a theory about delamination. It's repaired by inserting glue, usually with a syringe, into the space where the wood has lifted. Presumably if this happens all over the bat or even just the middle, surely a layer of glue will form between the top surface of wood and the main body of the bat, producing an illegal 'laminate' bat, would it not?

[Centurion]

Unlucky mate that happened to two of my SS bats. I suspect it's because the bat must be extremley dry. Good luck with the repair anyway though. 

[Seniorplayer]

Thanks. Forgive my ignorance but I guess PVA glue is not the same as superglue?

The main difference is that PVA is water based and is used for glueing all types of wood as the water in the PVA allows  the glue to interwind into the fibres of the wood along with the glues acetate the water eventually evaporates leaving behind a stronger bond than the wood itself.

[WalkingWicket37]

Lifting wood, I love these!

PVA glue, syringe and parcel tape will fix that 

Fill the lifted area with PVA glue (using a syringe to get it further into the area if required) then wrap tightly with parcel tape to get it flat.
Leave overnight (at least, 24 hours is preferable) then remove the tape. Give the bat a sand so the face is level and the excess glue is gone. I then personally apply fibreglass tape over the area, or even a fibreglass scuff sheet, but people on here don't seem to like those...

[uknsaunders]

I have a theory about delamination. It's repaired by inserting glue, usually with a syringe, into the space where the wood has lifted. Presumably if this happens all over the bat or even just the middle, surely a layer of glue will form between the top surface of wood and the main body of the bat, producing an illegal 'laminate' bat, would it not?

Yes and No.

Technically the bat becomes a laminate but because it's a repair it's not classified as one. If you start off with a new bat that's laminated then it's clearly illegal.

[Ugster]

Thank you all for taking the time to post and help. It is refreshing to come to such a friendly forum - so often these days you find a kind of apathy between established members and 'newbies'. None of that on this forum. When I inevitably manage to glue my hand to my bat later and damage it further, I will return here to buy a new bat from one of your members.

[WalkingWicket37]

As long as you use PVA and not Super Glue you shouldn't theoretically manage to glue yourself to the bat!
That said I super glued myself to the tube of superglue last week so anything is possible