How to Make a Wood Bat
Wooden bats have been around since the beginning a baseball. There is nothing quite like the solid "whack" from a baseball connecting with a genuine wooden bat. Follow these instructions to make your own wood bat.
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Instructions
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Start by cutting a piece of wood stuck to 42" in length. Cut two notches in the end of the wood to fit into the headstock of the wood lathe. Turn on the lathe, adding oil to the wood at the tailstock of the lathe if you hear a squeaking noise.
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Using the tool guide, begin to knock down the corners of the wood to form the cylindrical shape of a wooden bat. Work closer into the center of the wood near the handle to remove more wood. You will begin to see the shape of the bat forming.
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Use lathe calipers to keep measuring the diameter of the baseball bat. Depending on the league and age group of the player, the dimensions of the bat required by regulations may change. Check the size of your bat as compared to regulation size you are trying to achieve.
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Once you have achieved the correct size and shape of your wooden bat, use a piece of rough sandpaper to smooth the wood, while the bat is still spinning on the lathe. Keep using progressively finer sandpapers to make the surface of the wood additionally smoother. Finish with a leather strap to polish the surface of the wooden bat.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to go slow and steady while you work, not taking off too much wood at one time.
To keep wood chips off of your clothes, you may wish to wear an apron while working at the lathe.
Always wear protective gloves and goggles when working on the lathe.
Never wear loose or baggy clothing or jewelery near a lathe, as they can be grabbed by the mechanism and pulled in.
