Baseball Bat Turning (info or tutorials?)

[Krank]

Hello All!

Does anyone know a place to get info on turning baseball bats? I am wanting to do several sizes, small ornamental bats to LouiseVille Slugger style.

Any recommendations on wood types to use? Pros and cons?

What oils to use for finishing?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers, Krank

[rowie]

Maple or Hickory

[Hickory]

Louisville Sluggers are ASH
Rawlings Baseball Bats are Maple
Not sure what Wilsons are
Theses are the major manufactures in US of Baseball bats but none use Hickory. :eek: (Some have a Hickory Finish)

I visited the Louisville Slugger plant in Louisville, KY a couple of summers ago and watched the artisians hand turn bats for individual players. The finish was simple WB Lacquer no special rubbed oil or exotic goo.

[Speanwoody]

not sure if this link will be of any use http://www.turnedtreasures.com/project.html/cap/cap_turning_pg1.html

[Krank]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I really appreciate it.

I have searched high and low and there is nowhere that seems to give dimensions of even the most simple baseball bat...

Oh well, I'll just go to the shop and measure a few myself.

I will then make a tutorial on how to make them, I will post it when its done.

Thanks again, Krank

[Hickory]

Try these sites....

http://www.sluggermuseum.org/

www.slugger.com (http://www.slugger.com)

[Krank]

Thanks for the tip (and the link) Hickory!

I have just ordered a personalised 34" LouiseVille Slugger direct from the factory! I think it will actually be easier than trying to find the dimensions online somewhere!

I will put it up above my lathe and try to live up to the master craftsmen.

Cheers, Krank

(!) LouiseVille Sluggers - approx 30% are Maple and the rest are Ash.

[rowie]

just thought Hickory because of it's high strength, bending,hardness and shock resistance.

[weisyboy]

google

do a serch. solved all my problems.

[Ironwood]

I remember an article in one of the "American Woodworker" magazines that had all the info needed. cant remember which edition. Let me know if you want to know more, and I will go through the piles of mags and find it.

[BernieP]

According to the following site the slugger in the museum is 35" long 2 1/2" diam. at thickest point. have a look at http://www.otal.umd.edu/~vg/amst205.F97/vj27/project6/gb_bat.html
Bernie

[Auzzie turner]

here ya go. the first one, is exactly what you want,

have fun,

Regards...Joash


http://www.baseballcorner.com/batguide.asp

http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/bats.html

[cedar n silky]

Got to be an Australian timber out there that's suitable- Might corner the market!!;) Red gum, Tallow, Brushbox, Blackbutt, Flooded gum, Spotted Gum?? To name a few euacalyptus??:rolleyes:

[Krank]

I will look in to many Aussie timbers. I am going to be making most as ornamental bats, but will take the odd one out for a crack! Just to see how it performs. Batter'up!

I would assume Trend Timbers has the full list of timbers available.

Cheers, Krank

[Krank]

I remember an article in one of the "American Woodworker" magazines that had all the info needed. cant remember which edition. Let me know if you want to know more, and I will go through the piles of mags and find it.

Hey Ironwood,

If you could find it, it would be greatly appreciated. Please don't go to to much trouble.

Thanks, Krank!

[Ironwood]

Hey Ironwood,

If you could find it, it would be greatly appreciated. Please don't go to to much trouble.

Thanks, Krank!

Krank, I went through all my old copies of "American Woodworker" today, I didnt spot the one I can remember. I will keep looking, let you know if I find it.

[arose62]

Krank, I went through all my old copies of "American Woodworker" today, I didnt spot the one I can remember. I will keep looking, let you know if I find it.

I remember that one! There was a follow-up letter (or two) to the editor in the next edition, because the article stated that batters could tell the difference between bats which were 0.001 mm different in diameter.:eek:

Seems it was a typo and should have been something more sensible, like 0.1 inch.

Cheers,
Andrew

[Ironwood]

I still havent been able to find the magazine, Looked through all my stashes twice now, and still cant find it. must be another pile of mags stashed somewhere :confused: