Replies

1. 
   Pippins | Apr 04, 2007 03:21pm | #1

   Rob33, there are probably several ways to do this. Go slow and easy until you find a technique that works for you.

   I have not tried this but my first thought would be to leave a stub in the end of the bat intact until you have the hollow nearly completed. The stub should be stout enough to support the tail stock live center. 

   Hollowing a smooth hollow in the end grain may be a challenge. Try using a scraper and take light cuts.    

   Once the hollow is complete, turn most of the stub away, power off the lathe and then carve and sand off any remainder. Be very careful here. You do not want the bat flying around uncontrolled if the stub breaks while under power.

   You may also want to post the question on the AAW site:

   http://www.woodturner.org/

   Steve    

2. 
   midlebury | Apr 04, 2007 08:01pm | #2

   I'm certainly no expert, not even that good a turner but I have made a few bats.  I've found a way to hold the bat vertically, then made a jig with a hole that  just fits the end of the bat ( 2  5/8ths or so).  Then I've used one of those router bits that put a dish shape into cutting boards (basically a cove bit without the bearings and with a flat bottom). Use a collar with the bit so that the collar rides against the jig.  The trick to the whole thing is finding a way to mount the bat to the jig........you'll find a way.

1. 
   colebearanimals | Apr 04, 2007 11:13pm | #3

   Ahhh........ There's nothing like hitting a baseball with a wooden bat.

                                        Paul

1. 
   frenchy | Apr 04, 2007 11:44pm | #4

   colebearanimals,

    I cheat, My bats are always massively oversized.. Nothing like walking up to the plate with a 4 inch bat,  My last one was 6 inches that I bored out and put a basswood core in.. .

       (ps the bat is still so heavy that I have to start the swing before the pitcher finishes his windup, never have hit a ball with one but got a lot of laughs) 

1. 
   colebearanimals | Apr 05, 2007 12:10am | #5

   Hmmmmm........... frenchyville slugger.  You might be on to something. Let's see....... where did I put Bonds' phone number......

                            Paul

2. 
   Zuk | Apr 12, 2007 10:47am | #7

   Hey frenchy, when I use to play youth baseball I use to always use a bat that had a skinny handle, with a big fat end on the other end,  I haven't had much luck in finding ash 4x4's, all I can find is 3x3.  I have gone to some wood working stores, and I have a problem with paying $32.00 for a bat blank, when I can go out and buy a finished bat for $20-$25 dollars.  Any suggestion, I have thought about gluin some boards together, but I don't think that is a good idea, I am new to all this, so please don't laugh at my question to much.

                                                                               Thanks  Bill G.

1. 
   frenchy | Apr 12, 2007 02:29pm | #8

   Zuk,

    No problem,  Go to a sawmill and pick out some ash.  Don't buy wood anyplace else..(too darn expensive)  when you get there don't be surprised that a 4x4 ash might cost you $2.00 (at least that's all I pay for them)..

3. 
   bigfootnampa | Apr 05, 2007 04:54pm | #6

   I'd go with Pippins system.  Work the edges of the hollow first and then use fine cuts to thin the central plug until the bat becomes slightly wobbly (or courage begins to fail you).  The small remnant is easily carved out with a gouge.  At first you'll leave quite a bit but with practice you'll get to the point where the plug is nearly whittled away before you stop the lathe.  You do the same thing on the handle end if you don't want the drive marks left on the bat.  If you were doming the bat end (in the old traditional way) you'd still do it this way.

4. 
   robk | Aug 29, 2007 01:30am | #9

   Rob,

   I'm considering the same thing, and am considering a Jet JML 1014VSI mini lathe for about $250. What turning tools and other supplies (other than wood) did you need to get started? What finishes do you like?

   Thanks,
   Rob

1. 
   dgreen | Aug 29, 2007 01:46am | #10

   You might look at the Shop Fox W1704, pretty nice and compares well to the Jet, sells for about $149.

    ------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

   
1. 
   robk | Aug 29, 2007 01:53am | #11

   Thanks D, but it doesn't appear this one would accommodate the bed extension I'd need for 33-35" bats. Or would it?

   Edited 8/28/2007 6:53 pm ET by RobK