Instructions on How to Make a Wooden Baseball Bat
- 1). Obtain an appropriate piece of wood. White ash and maple are the most popular woods used in the making of baseball bats. You will need a solid rectangular block of sufficient length. It needs to be at least 12 inches in diameter, although it need not be much thicker as the diameter will be reduced during the making process.
- 2
A lathe is necessary to make a balanced, symmetrical bat.Woodman at work image by CJD from Fotolia.com
Make sure you have access to a lathe. It is necessary to use a lathe to make a symmetrical baseball bat with any precision. The lathe is a tool which allows the rectangular block to be spun while it is being shaped, thus ensuring a symmetrical results. The lathe will be equipped with two "centers" or points which are used to fix each end of the wooden block. The centers do need to be fixed to the center of each end of the block, so measure the correct location carefully. Once fixed, the block can be freely spun. - 3). Use a wide, fluted gouge to trim the block of wood to a consistent cylindrical shape while turning it on the lathe. Be sure to stop cutting when the desired diameter of just under 2.75 inches is reached. The block now resembles a long, wooden rolling pin.
- 4). Continue gouging the handle end of the bat to achieve the tapering shape. Use a regular baseball bat to judge the dimensions you need to achieve. If you measure the diameter of a bat at regular intervals along its tapering handle, you will have a roadmap to guide you. Leave the tip of the handle wider than the handle itself, as this helps to stop the bat slipping out of your grasp on completing a swing.
- 5). Use sandpaper or other sanding devices to smooth your shaped baseball bat. If desired, you can use a wood stain to darken or change the color of the bat. The final step is to varnish it. Two coats of varnish are enough, leaving time for the first to dry before applying the second.
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