Topic: Knocking in, toe de-laminated (Read 2891 times)

kancell10 · « **on:** July 11, 2023, 04:40:23 PM »

Hi guys,

I recently helped a guy at our club buy a new bat and he's been busy knocking it in whilst I was on holiday.

He dropped in today as he had concern about cracks on the toe.

Looking closer it looks and feels (spongy/springy) like it's delaminated for the first 15mm up the bat and pretty much across the whole face.

I'm thinking PVA/wood glue then clamp/tape over night to try to re-laminate it and seal up the worst of the cracks.

I was going to shoe goo glue a toe for him, but wondering whether something for robust may be required now?

In terms of knocking in, do you think he should fix first then continue, or do a bit more knocking then fix later?

Not an expert at bat repairs but always willing to give things a go, appreciate your guidance.

Chad · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2023, 05:08:27 PM »

Has he knocked in the toe at an angle? Looks like it's been knocked incorrectly - the toe should be knocked in flush with the face - the way the fibres run down the bat means that any compression done at an angle on the toe will potentially be forcing the fibres apart. I'd recommend getting glue in there and carefully compressing it before progressing with knocking. A good quality wood glue will do the trick. (Gorilla Wood Glue or Titebond II for example)

kancell10 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2023, 06:00:55 PM »

I'm not exactly sure to be honest Chad, looks like that could be the case.

I've popped a bit of Gorilla wood glue in as best as I could, without opening up the de-lamination/crack any further. Hopefully it's just consigned to the first 15mm and hasn't propagated any further up.

Then just put some hand operated clamps so comfortably clamping but not toooooooo tight. Will lightly sand off any glue tomorrow PM.

I may have to give it another glue after he's finished knocking in but let's see how that goes.

Regards toe guard, maybe boat varnish or a rubber toe might be better than shoe goo glue just to keep things knitted together?

Jimbo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2023, 07:28:09 PM »

Don't know that boat varnish will do a great deal to hold it together. Solid toe guard isn't a horrible idea.

kancell10 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2023, 09:30:57 PM »

Jimbo, what do you mean by a solid toe guard exactly.... like the old fashioned plastic cups, a rubber/pu bonded strip, something different?

Jimbo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2023, 10:00:03 PM »

Quote from: kancell10 on July 11, 2023, 09:30:57 PM

Jimbo, what do you mean by a solid toe guard exactly.... like the old fashioned plastic cups, a rubber/pu bonded strip, something different?

If you can find someone to do the molded on PU ones they're fantastic, easy option though would be the old school rubber strips, yep.

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2023, 10:00:25 AM »

A good quality water resistant boat varnish will work well but with regular tapping needs to be reapplied. As a general rule I find the rubber toe guards don�t last overly well especially if the owner taps a lot at the crease.

Jonny at Scott cricket offered the PU toe guards for not much of your local or happy to post to him and if that�s your chosen solution. Personally I don�t like or use toe guards on the bats I make for A) the reason stated initially and B) the peel and then hold moisture in the toe of the bat that causes more damage long term. Look after the investment and apply the boat varnish is yet simplistic solution as takes a few seconds every few weeks

jonny77 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2023, 11:14:15 AM »

Yeah not a fan of regular toe guards but they're better if applied properly and sanded a little after do there's not so much of a lip to catch and peel off.

There's nowhere for water to get under the PU ones. I've had one on my bat for ages and had no issues at all. You can shoegoo or varnish. However, I don't think any of these options will stop a toe splitting, but can prevent water damage/feathering

kancell10 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2023, 11:38:46 AM »

It's just typical Jonny, the week after I popped in to visit you ha! Your PU toe guards look ace, best I've ever seen!

I'll probably boat varnish or shoe goo for him initially, and then he'll need to maintain it from there.

jonny77 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2023, 11:52:33 AM »

Thanks mate, appreciate that. As with binding, I don't believe they would stop any cracks personally. They're more intended to stop feathering and water seeping up into the toe.

urban.monk · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2023, 04:09:03 PM »

Try Toe-gutting once the glue has hardened. That should hold it for longer than just leaving it with glue.

kancell10 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2023, 08:20:41 PM »

Sorry but I have no idea what toe gutting is, can you please elaborate?

Author Topic: Knocking in, toe de-laminated (Read 2891 times)

kancell10

Knocking in, toe de-laminated

Chad

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

kancell10

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

Jimbo

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

kancell10

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

Jimbo

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

SOULMAN1012

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

jonny77

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

kancell10

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

jonny77

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

urban.monk

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated

kancell10

Re: Knocking in, toe de-laminated