Let’s start a journey to embark upon the adventure of build a Baseball Bat rolling machine. We will show you the exact step-by-step process of making one. No prior experience will be required. We will also point out the pros and cons of using a baseball bat rolling machine.
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How can you build a bat rolling machine without any expertise?
Interested people in rolling their baseball bat always wonder how they can build a bat rolling machine effortlessly.
As I have past experience of building and using this machine, I will precisely describe the full method of building and using this equipment step by step.
Back in high school, when I was infatuated with baseball, I was always seeking a way to improve the bat’s performance.
Then after doing some internet research, I came to know that rolling a bat can surprisingly increase the performance of a composite bat.
But, the availability of the machine was very scarce at that time. But I was very desperate to build the machine. I consulted some experts in building the equipment.
I took thorough instruction from them, and I was successful in constructing the device. In this article, I will describe this full instruction thoroughly.
A brief overview of bat rolling and the device of rolling
Bat rolling is a method of swiftly breaking in a composite softball or baseball bat by placing it amid plastic rollers in a bat rolling machine.
Everybody knows that when a composite bat is hit longer, it performs better, but people don’t know about the quick bat break-in procedure acknowledged as bat rolling.
This process is a faster method to break in a bat, otherwise recognized as ABI (accelerated break-in). A fresh composite bat contains layers of fibers where the maker combines with resin.
The resin will “collapse” when you place pressure on the bat; by hitting a ball or rolling the bat.
How does the machine work?
The bat is positioned amid three rollers. There are two rollers on the upper level and one lower roller. The handle is located on the peak of the rolling machine to reel the upper two rollers down to append the required pressure.
The use of a side handle is for running the bat across the roller, whether perpendicular or parallel. The operator of the roller controls the pressures.
While the rolling of the bat is done across the rollers, the fiber of the composite bat becomes more loose and flexible. This improved flexibility will produce a trampoline effect forcing a stricken ball significantly further.
Please watch this video to know more.
Types of machines for bat rolling:
Before making a bat rolling machine, you must decide which type of bat rolling device you want to build. There are two kinds of machines for bat rolling. One is parallel, and another is a perpendicular machine.
Perpendicular machine: In a perpendicular bat rolling machine, the bat goes in at a 90-degree angle in the machine. Then you can reposition the bat backward and forward using a drive roller. You squeeze the bat in small increments, turning the barrel each occasion before reassembling it and adding the same force.
A perpendicular machine can roll any bat well, but you have to be cautious, as you may leave flat marks in the sweet spot of the bat.
A parallel bat rolling machine can roll any bat in both ways. In contrast, a perpendicular machine can only roll in one direction. Moreover, a perpendicular device will leave flat patches in the bat and not cruise the entire sweet region.
So, our recommendation is to use a parallel machine.
Parallel Machine: A parallel bat rolling equipment comprises two or three rollers. The bat’s barrel needs to be in the equivalent position as the rollers. The machine then compresses the bat in increasing increments while the drive roller rotates the bat around 20-25 times. While rolling parallel, you won’t have to pull the bat. Rolling parallel has the disadvantage of breaking in a more significant portion of the bat in one go.
Process of building a bat rolling equipment:
For building this simple machine, you have to gather some materials first. I will provide the materials list that I used while forming the device. These kinds of stuff are widely available in any nearby tools shop.
Materials list for creating a bat rolling machine:
- A shell
- Shell is constructed of aluminum or steel
- Holds the interiors of the device
- Welded or attached jointly
- Upper carriage
- It does the task of holding the upper rollers
- Shifts up and down
- Tight tolerance
- Bearings
- Bearings made of rollers
- Bearing made of thrust
- Bushing
- Shafts
- Handles
- Rollers
- Mostly built of steel, plastic, or wood
- Very tight tolerance
- The hole in the midpoint of the roller must be exact
How to build a bat rolling machine?
Here is a simple overview on building a bat rolling machine:
- Construct the shell
- Build the upper carriage
- Put the bearing and shaft
- Install the barrels
- Attach the handles
First of all, you must construct a shell, which will work as the structure of the machine. A shell is typically made of steel or aluminum for a robust design. However, there must be two holes on the right and left of the shell for inserting the bat.
Secondly, you must build an upper carriage just below the upper boundary of the shell, which should also be built using steel or aluminum. The upper carriage will hold the upper two rollers. Then, it would help if you use bearings on each roller, and the shafts will hold the bearings. The bearings roll the rollers more smoothly.
There are two identical handles on the machine. One is at the top and another one on the right-hand side. These handles should be screw-like handles so that you can tighten or loosen the rollers whenever required. The top handle will work to impose pressure on the roller and bat.
That is the complete procedure of building a bat rolling machine.
Cost:
The expense of building a machine for bat rolling may vary because it depends on the quality of the materials you are using on the device. For instance, plastic equipment is cheap than wood, aluminum, or steel. Using plastic will help you reduce overall costs. However, aluminum and steel are the most expensive material that you can use in a machine. Therefore, you are required to pay extra in that case. However, no matter what material you use, you can expect the minimum figure will be $250 plus.
Time:
Constructing a machine requires a while since you must first plan up the parts’ design, shape, and engine and assemble the bearings and other components. Moreover, it depends on the expertise you have in this field. Indeed, an expert person will require less amount of time than a newcomer. If you are an expert, you may need around 1-2 days to complete the whole project. On the other hand, those at the novice level will need about 3-4 extra days.
To conclude, you can build a bat rolling gear if you have past experience of building different machines and have all the necessary equipment. However, if you are new to this task, it may take a lot of time and effort as you have to design the machine first and then start building.
Benefits of a bat rolling machine & rolled baseball bats
Benefits of Building a Bat Rolling Machine:
- Cost Savings: Building a bat rolling machine yourself can be more cost-effective than purchasing a pre-made machine, as you can customize it according to your budget and needs.
- Customization: By building your own bat rolling machine, you have the flexibility to design and adjust it to accommodate various bat sizes, materials, and rolling techniques, allowing for personalized bat performance modifications.
- Learning Experience: Building a bat rolling machine provides an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the mechanics involved in bat rolling. It allows you to develop skills in craftsmanship and engineering.
- Accessibility: Having your own bat rolling machine means you have convenient access to bat rolling services whenever needed. You can roll your bats at home, saving time and effort compared to relying on external services.
- Potential Business Opportunity: If you have a passion for bat rolling and are proficient in building the machine, it could open up the possibility of offering bat rolling services as a side business or for commercial purposes.
Benefits of a Rolled Baseball Bat:
- Enhanced Performance: Rolling a baseball bat can improve its performance by increasing the flexibility of the barrel and optimizing the trampoline effect. This can lead to increased ball exit speed and improved hitting distance.
- Expanded Sweet Spot: Rolling can expand the sweet spot of a baseball bat, allowing for a larger hitting area and more forgiving contact, resulting in improved consistency and better overall performance.
- Reduced Break-in Time: Rolled bats often require less break-in time compared to non-rolled bats. This means you can get the desired performance level from the bat sooner and start using it in games more quickly.
- Reduced Vibration and Sting: Rolling can help minimize vibration and sting upon contact, resulting in a more comfortable feel for the hitter and reducing the risk of hand and arm discomfort.
- Longevity: Rolled bats may experience less stress and fatigue over time due to the controlled rolling process. This can potentially extend the lifespan of the bat and maintain its performance for a longer period.
It’s important to note that bat rolling may not be allowed or recommended in all leagues or organizations. Always consult the rules and regulations governing the use of altered bats in your specific playing environment.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
It is a familiar query among those who are new to bat rolling. Perhaps they overheard it in the dugout or at a post-game barbecue, but no one appears to know for sure. Actually, individuals roll bats by means of a machine to enhance the performance of the bat. For sure, if you roll your bat, it will have more pop, and the ball will go a long way when you hit it.
This is a debated question because people have diverse views regarding this matter. Some people will say that the lifetime may reduce as carbon fiber breaks down. On the other hand, some people argue that breaking into a bat makes the bat more sturdy across the barrel. Rolling a bat shortens the time it takes to break it in, which is useful in a hurry or if you desire the bat to perform at its best right away. Because of repeated impacts, a natural break-in may lead a bat to develop hot spots, where the composite is more compressed in one area. You can also refer to this hotspot as a weak point. By rolling, the dead parts would not be big deal. Therefore, rolling a bat may reduce the lifespan, but it improves performance.
Is bat rolling legal or illegal?
Bat rolling is prohibited in most official baseball or softball leagues. However, before being certified legal for play, the league authority rolls all-composite into a test facility. The testing facility examines the limit of the composite break-in. As a result, bat rolling is the gold standard for achieving bat quality standards.
The answer to this query is conditional. One can detect a rolled bat if the rolling hasn’t been done accurately. There is no device or such tool for detecting rolling. However, the only way of detecting a rolled bat is a compression tester. They assess pounds of pressure per square inch, and bat organizations have set limitations on how much pressure a bat may exert. Apparently, if the bat is crushed in too much, it may go below the permitted pressure and be considered unlawful, although it is rare to see a bat rolled fall below the required psi level.
Conclusion
Knowing what you know about how to build a bat rolling machine we hope that you will be able to adjust any new bat you buy. The materials you will need and the process to build one for yourself are all made to be easy to do.
