This year the ultimate baseball bat was made "The 4-H Slugger." The bat was made with many tools such as the caliper, center finder, band saw and lathe. It's unique Ash wood makes the bat hard and sturdy with a slugger's sweet spot on the barrel. The tremendous sanding and shiny varnish make people think that you bought it. Making a baseball bat is tough but fun and a great experience for everyone. Here is the instructions on the making of the 4-H Slugger from the poster I did at the Santa Clara County 4-H "Presentation Day"
Always remember to put on Safety Glasses!!!
Supplies:
1 Bat Blank (Purchased)
Safety Glasses
Model Bat
Center Marker
Caliper
Large lathe
1 1/2" Roughing Gouge
Spindle Gouge
Skew
Sander
Clear Varathane Spray
STEP 1
The first part of making a bat is finding the center of the bat-blank by using a center marker. Place one end of the bat-blank against the back edge of center marker and hold firmly. Strike the bat-blank with a solid piece of wood. This will mark one straight line on the end.. Rotate the bat-blank 90° and strike again. This will make a perfect X in the center of the blank. Flip the bat-blank over to other end and repeat instructions. If done incorrectly the bat-blank will spin out of control on the lathe.
STEP 2
Place the bat-blank on the large lathe. The lathe is a woodworking machine that spins the wood. Put center of wood to line up with lathe's drive center. Turn on the machine and check for balance as it spins. Do this by placing a roughing gouge on the bat-blank. If the gouge bounces up and down the center is off. Turn off the lathe and remark with center marker.
Determine the shape and length of the bat by comparing it to a bat of the size you would like to make.
STEP 3
Turn on lathe. As the bat blank spins use a 1 ½" Roughing gouge to straighten and slope the wood. Chisel the bat-blank to the desired thickness of the barrel.
STEP 4
The caliper is a tool that is used to measure the thickness of the model bat and compare it with the bat that is being made. Mark the bat-blank where the barrel will be and the slope of the handle begins. Continue to sculpt the bat with the roughing gouge. Be sure to calibrate frequently to check against model bat.
STEP 5
When the bat has the right form and is calibrated correctly, use a skew. The skew is a tool that cuts and smoothes the wood at the same time. It is a finishing tool that gives the bat a well-defined shape.
STEP 6
To make the bat handle, and to shape the round edges of the top of the bat use a spindle gouge. It is a sharp gouge used to cut into tight corners and form round edges. Hold the gouge against the bat handle and turn it slowly to form a round edge. This step must be done with great care!
STEP 7
After the bat handle is done, sand the bat with an electric sander as it spins on the lathe until smooth. Take the bat off the lathe and cut off the knobs at the two ends. Sand the ends smooth.
STEP 8
Spray the bat with a clear varathane for a clear finish. Let it dry completely. Use a super fine steel wool to smooth out the finish. Spray on another coat of varathane. Let dry for 48 hours.
STEP 9
Step up the plate and hit a home run with your new 4-H SLUGGER