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[Vicbats]

How come you didn't use cork @Komdotkom .

[Komdotkom]

Most wine in Australia is screw top!

[Vicbats]

Ebay is your friend

[Komdotkom]

I've got the plugs in and sanded down close to the flanks? of the bat, but the plugs are harder than the willow so it is very difficult to sand them flush. At the moment they are perhaps .5mm proud at the centre and not visibly proud but you can feel it with your fingers. I saw on the L&W video that they use a drum sander, but I don't have one of those.
Any tips so I don't dig holes in the willow around the plugs?

[jamesisapayne]

Without a drum sander it's going to be hard - the bat James Laver was making had a convex profile so was easier to shave off with a sharp plane but your bat looks like it has a bit of concaving which will make this unworkable.

A good inflatable drum sander is worth the outlay, makes the whole sanding process a lot easier and allows for uniform sanding.

Cracking bats by the way

[HellomynameisJ]

This looks the business!, That engraving is class.

I think a drum sander would do trick, I'm not sure where you'd find the right thing though, I've been looking just for the sanding drum as I've got the bench grinder and it's proving very hard to find! I am based in Aus though so that maybe why.

[InternalTraining]

Very cool!

I have bats that could shed 2.5 oz of weight!

Has the performance changed/diminshed?

[Komdotkom]

No idea about the actual weight difference, I didn't bother to weigh it prior to drilling the holes.
If I can get motivated to finish it this week I'll take it for a run against the ball machine on the weekend, but there's no change in performance going by the very scientific method of bouncing a ball on it.
This one feels 'right' in the hands though, much better than the one I got engraved which I suppose is due to the reduced weight and thinner toe.
I've asked the guy who did my Tusker reproduction stickers to see if he can make the Puma/Millichamp ones.

[HellomynameisJ]

Here's where I'm up to at the moment, it still needs a final sand and I have to straighten up the lines a little bit.
I shouldn't have used Titebond III on the plugs because when it dries it is a bit darker than willow so I've ended up with some dark rings around the plugs, particularly where the fit isn't perfect.
Carbatec sell drum sanding stuff if you are looking for it
https://www.carbatec.com.au/sanding-and-finishing/sanding-drums-and-sets/drums

Great job mate, looks fantastic!
I have seen the carbatec stuff but I'm looking for something a bit bigger for the bench grinder, I think they call them pnuematic drums, whatever they are they contour around the curves of the bat a bit better. 

[Komdotkom]

You could try Timbecon, they have all sorts of weird stuff. I assume you are looking for a 150mm OD, they look pretty expensive the cheapest I could see was $125US

[Buzz]

This is a magnificent thread, thanks so much for sharing.
And great work with the bats.

[DevAussie]

Great effort mate, looks really good. I made a replica S6 when i first started too, it's a classic bat that won a lot if people over.

[JK Lewis]

Awesome job mate, I've been following with great interest. The bat looks great, but can you feel any actual difference now?

[jonny77]

Have you contacted the source of the cleft to feedback? I'm sure they'd help if there's an issue. I suppose it depends on what you mean by 'disappointing'. Dead or just not as good as others? 

[Komdotkom]

I haven't contacted the source of the cleft about it, it's not a plank by any means but it doesn't perform as well as my others. My other bats are all good performers and the only really 'cheap' ones I have are two butterfly jobs from L&W and Aldred which both go quite well.
It could be the shape and balance too - I just don't love it like the Puma/M&H copy, that's one's a keeper for sure. Pity really because I had it laser engraved with my club logo so my market to sell it is very limited.....