Topic: How to finish a bat? (Read 14250 times)

tejasapatel · « **Reply #30 on:** March 25, 2015, 12:56:00 PM »

Quote from: Boondougal on March 25, 2015, 06:58:42 AM

Epic 6.5 year thread revival!

Since it's already been revived, might as well share what I just did.

I sanded a bat using random orbital sander from 80-400 grit sand paper. Once that was done I buffed it with the circular electric buffer with cotton and furry buffing pads.

Oiled it last night and will buff it again after two more coats of oil.

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:05:36 PM »

where do you get 400 grit thingies for the orbital?

wayward_hayward · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:21:45 PM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on March 25, 2015, 01:05:36 PM

where do you get 400 grit thingies for the orbital?

I have only seen 400 grit for 125mm sanders on ebay, screwfix only go up to 240.

tejasapatel · « **Reply #33 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:31:20 PM »

I had some full sheets starting from 60-600 sitting around from last year. So decided to cut them to 5" circular size and glue it to an old used circular sheet. You don't get the dust collection/suction part but does the job.

I also saw some in Amazon.

Edit: Link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000XY0VZM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1427291070&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=400+grit+orbital+sander+pads&dpPl=1&dpID=613E5LARxgL&ref=plSrch

ajmw89 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:32:37 PM »

400 is a bit too much I reckon. I usually do 120, 240 and 320. Once I get there, I give a light coat of cellulose sanding sealer and let that dry, before scrubbing with 0000 wire wool. Then a coat of white diamond buffing compoung on a buffing wheel. After that, a coat of oil, let that dry overnight, one of beeswax. Let that dry, buff off and a final coat of oil. The bat is now oiled and ready to knock in as well, and you get a nice mirror shine to it!

tejasapatel · « **Reply #35 on:** March 25, 2015, 01:41:46 PM »

Quote from: ajmw89 on March 25, 2015, 01:32:37 PM

400 is a bit too much I reckon. I usually do 120, 240 and 320. Once I get there, I give a light coat of cellulose sanding sealer and let that dry, before scrubbing with 0000 wire wool. Then a coat of white diamond buffing compoung on a buffing wheel. After that, a coat of oil, let that dry overnight, one of beeswax. Let that dry, buff off and a final coat of oil. The bat is now oiled and ready to knock in as well, and you get a nice mirror shine to it!

Never used the sanding sealer. I prob would try it as have 5 more bats to go.

Gurujames · « **Reply #36 on:** March 25, 2015, 02:05:59 PM »

I think you are all insane. I don't understand why you would go above 240 grit. A bat will get seam marks, red marks, scrape marks all over it and you want to achieve a finish a French polisher would be proud of. I look after my gear well but this is unnecessary.

tejasapatel · « **Reply #37 on:** March 25, 2015, 02:12:20 PM »

Quote from: Gurujames on March 25, 2015, 02:05:59 PM

I think you are all insane. I don't understand why you would go above 240 grit. A bat will get seam marks, red marks, scrape marks all over it and you want to achieve a finish a French polisher would be proud of. I look after my gear well but this is unnecessary.

For me it's like an escape and a stress reliever. When I am doing these refurbs, all I think of is the piece of willow in front of me.

Also keeps me from binge watching Netflix.

Gurujames · « **Reply #38 on:** March 25, 2015, 02:42:24 PM »

It pains me to say but you can get them here. http://www.axminster.co.uk/hermes-longlife-multi-hole-abrasive-discs-125mm

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #39 on:** March 25, 2015, 02:58:06 PM »

Quote from: Gurujames on March 25, 2015, 02:05:59 PM

I think you are all insane. I don't understand why you would go above 240 grit. A bat will get seam marks, red marks, scrape marks all over it and you want to achieve a finish a French polisher would be proud of. I look after my gear well but this is unnecessary.

Personally I go up to 400 for two reasons. And I'm a bit sad and actually enjoy sanding the bat and watching it go from rough to shiny. It's a relaxing way to spend my time and refurbing bats is quite therapeutic I've found as I can forget everything else while I'm playing with my wood.

1 - the 240 on the orbital does a good job but may not reach every patch equally, so hand sanding ensures I've done the whole bat.

2 - I take a pride in my kit and the refurbs I do. The shop have the bats almost shining on the shelf, so I try to replicate that finish so a refurbished bat looks (almost as good as new). Also the guys I repair bats for have seen the OVd levels I go to with my own, (even as far as wiping ball marks off the face during a drinks break!) do if I dont get their bats shining like I do my own they'll know I charged them full wack for a half cut service.

Kulli · « **Reply #40 on:** March 25, 2015, 03:02:42 PM »

Whats the best way to sand concaved backs, that's what I've always struggled with, bearing in mind I do it in a manshed with limited tools.

Gurujames · « **Reply #41 on:** March 25, 2015, 03:08:46 PM »

Sand concave bat back by hand or use a plane/spokeshave to make a convex 'pad' to wrap the glass paper round. Only worth doing that it you are going to do a lot.

Gurujames · « **Reply #42 on:** March 25, 2015, 03:11:38 PM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on March 25, 2015, 02:58:06 PM

......I take a pride in my kit and the refurbs I do.....

You said the other day about the bat with the cracked toe that you may not have knocked it in properly.

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #43 on:** March 25, 2015, 03:16:13 PM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on March 25, 2015, 02:58:06 PM

Personally I go up to 400 for two reasons. And I'm a bit sad and actually enjoy sanding the bat and watching it go from rough to shiny. It's a relaxing way to spend my time and refurbing bats is quite therapeutic I've found as I can forget everything else while I'm playing with my wood.

1 - the 240 on the orbital does a good job but may not reach every patch equally, so hand sanding ensures I've done the whole bat.

2 - I take a pride in my kit and the refurbs I do. The shop have the bats almost shining on the shelf, so I try to replicate that finish so a refurbished bat looks (almost as good as new). Also the guys I repair bats for have seen the OVd levels I go to with my own, (even as far as wiping ball marks off the face during a drinks break!) do if I dont get their bats shining like I do my own they'll know I charged them full wack for a half cut service.

I can vouch for Cameron's refurbs - bought a Six6 off him a few months back and it may as well have been brand new to be honest!

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #44 on:** March 25, 2015, 03:24:12 PM »

Quote from: Gurujames on March 25, 2015, 03:11:38 PM

You said the other day about the bat with the cracked toe that you may not have knocked it in properly.

I may not have done, but I had still knocked it in to a level I was happy to take it into the nets so it wasn't like I took a brand new stick in and wondered why it broke. Freak accident or under preparation, I'll never know for certain...

That said it was a �25 net bat mate, it was ready for it's purpose. Did I spend hours on it though? Nope

I did however spend 8 weeks knocking in a bat daily for a teammate, and have spent roughly 6 hours so far on my own SS master (and counting). The net bat is an exception not the norm.

And for the record, cheap balls tend to damage bats regardless if they're straight out the packet or fully prepared. (Hence buying the cheap bat for winter nets...)

Author Topic: How to finish a bat? (Read 14250 times)

tejasapatel

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WalkingWicket37

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wayward_hayward

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tejasapatel

How to finish a bat?

ajmw89

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tejasapatel

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Gurujames

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tejasapatel

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Gurujames

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WalkingWicket37

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Kulli

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Gurujames

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Gurujames

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Neon Cricket

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WalkingWicket37

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