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[Washington]

Right guys this is my first attempt at making a bat. Its something ive been wanting to do for years and ive finally got around to doing it! I kitted out my workshop last year, but work load and work on the house took priority but this winter ive got more time on my hands! Thankfully!! So I shopped around for tools and got myself a couple of drawknives (one on loan from Mike) a big heavy one and a lighter thinner one for more detailed work. A flat spokeshave and a convex spokeshave for concaving, 3 planes size 4 1/2, 4 and a small block plane think size 2! A mass of different grades of sandpaper, fine wirewool and a buffing machine!

I brought a cleft off Mike and got started! I found using the drawknives easy to take off the bulk of the wood, it then got a lot more difficult shaping the bat with the planes, and spokeshaves. The hardest process of all was shaping the shoulders and blending in the handle but got there eventually!

I built a manual lathe in order to bind the handle and it worked a treat, save myself a lot of time!!

Overall I haven't enjoyed anything as much since watching Shaun Goater score a hat trick for my beloved Man City against Utd!! Subsequently I have ordered 2 more clefts from Mike and will hopefully be brave enough to start on a G1 and get my match bat made ready for pre season in Jan.

Specs of the bat (at the moment) is 2.12lb (without grip), 10 grains, just over 50% heartwood, pick up is ok not great! Handle is round at the top and oval at the bottom. Edges are about 30mm and spine height of about 65mm.

Generally pleased overall, but could do with any feedback from you guys.

Cheers

Dan








These are the updated pics with my own stickers applied, toe guard, grip tape and hammer edge still need applying!






Feedback on anything would be gratefully appreciated

Dan

[eaowbear]

For a first effort I personally think that looks excellent as most first efforts don't seem to have as large a profile so hats off!

[Buzz]

I think that is a stonking effort for a first bat.
love the shape with low middle too.

[Simmy]

dude that is a sick effot! and that is kinda how i love my profile! big allway through and then bit more at bottom ! low middle

[Washington]

I think that is a stonking effort for a first bat.
love the shape with low middle too.

Yeah I wanted to make a profile that I liked and used, and seeing as im a frontfoot charlie, a low middle is a must! However, the pick is not the best!! Not sure how to improve it without whittling it down to a matchstick!

[Simmy]

maybe a counter blanace on handle mate? if its bottom heavy

[Washington]

Yeah cheers Simmy, not a fan of counter weights tho! When i put the grip on im hoping it will improve it a little!

By the way mate . . . Best avatar ever!! That Russell Brand is one jammy git!!!

[ProWannabe88]

Mate that is a fantastic effort!! The shape is sweet as and I bet you loved manipulating that wood 

[Perkins17]

that looks pretty awesome ! i wish my first effort looked like that !! i got a bit carried away with the drawknife !:P

How did you make a manual lathe ??

[Washington]

Cheers perkins! That was one thing I learnt from reading other peoples experiences was not 2 take 2 much off! Simple really just attached 2 L-shaped steel brackets 2 the wall about a meter apart, then drilled holes through the section that sticks out from the wall. I then attached 2 rotating plates at either end made from wood . . . One with a round hole 2 hold the handle end and the other with a hinged jaw 2 clamp the toe in place! Spins freely which makes the binding process a little more enjoyable    

[justnotcricket86]

Very impressive mate well done. Exactly how I like mine as well.

Looks like you may have found a calling....

[johan95]

Lovely effort Dan- very impressive: great stuff, well done!

[tim2000s]

Very impressed - looks good for a first effort!

[will5210]

Excellent stuff! Shape looks good & should pick up better with a grip

[crobbo]

Custom, absolute quality effort fella!

will you be using itself yourself or thinking or selling it on?