Baseball Bat

[Mike Hannah]

Does anyone have a good way to pre-mark a basebat blank with the proper dimensions? I am looking for ideas on how to best create the proper taper. Is there a good measuring and marking device to use?

[Bobby McCarley]

Hello Mike, I've just recently turned two bats for a friend of mine. They were the first bats I've ever turned. What I did was put a bat up to my blank on the lathe and mark several points of reference. I then took a set of calipers and took a measurement on the bat that matched those reference points. I then took a parting tool and turned down the matching reference point on the blank to just within the measurement of the calipers, leave enough to do your sanding. I then turned the blank down between the reference points. I am by no means an expert turner but, but that worked for me. Do a search of my post and take a look at the bats I turned. I think they came out pretty good for first time bats.

Good luck,
Bobby McCarley

[Mike Hannah]

Thanks Bobby, I'll get it a try.