Baseball bats anyone?

WHile searching for interesting pieces for woodspirits, I found a (very old) baseball bat. I'd like to carve some baseball 'spirits' into it. Has anyone ever carved a baseball bat?

[Guest]

Re: Baseball bats anyone?

I am a big fan of found and free wood, but baseball bats tend to be very hard wood. Many suppliers carry basswood bat blanks that might be easier to work with. Will you use power tools or hand tools for the carving? Best of luck.

Dave

[FatEddy]

Re: Baseball bats anyone?

Have never attmptied carving a baseball bat, but most bats were seasoned hickory and have had experience with same in bow making. If you are going to use hand tools its strictly hatchet, rasp and scraper type work. Shouldn't be too much of a problem with power tools and carbide bits though.

[grumpy560]

Re: Baseball bats anyone?

Carved a Santa out of an old rolling pin that was made of HARD maple, and had to finish it with power tools. After a point, all of the sharpening and near miss slips just aren't worth it.
I think a spirit bat is a good idea but either be prepared for a hard go of it, buy a blank as suggested above, or have someone turn a blank out of the wood of your choice on a wood lathe.
Good luck and carve safe.

[Robyn_Shaye]

Re: Baseball bats anyone?

Just a followup. I carved the bat and though it was very tedious at times, it was not as difficult as I thought. A little bit of power to do a roughout, but after that, knives and v-tools worked quite well. Actually, the hard wood held detail quite well. Thanks for all of your imput.
Robyn Shaye

[Guest]

Re: Baseball bats anyone?

I have carved several bats. Did 2 santa's with the beard wrapped around the handle. Also, did 2 Cleveland Indian Chief what's-his-name as gifts. The wood works great for detail ; just have to strop those tools alot. TonyB