BRush Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Hey folks! I'm looking to possibly have a large order of 12-inch batts manufactured with a company that has a laser cutter. I was wondering if any of you had ever attempted building your own batts, and what material did you choose? Our studio favors heavy-duty plastic over the pressed wood batts, and they will have HEAVY use for the duration of their life. Thanks for any advice or insight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liambesaw Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 I have half a dozen amaco plastibats which are about a quarter inch thick. I wouldn't buy them again for a few reasons. First, they warp pretty easily, it's pretty frustrating because the reason I initially shied away from Masonite was because of the reputation for warping, and I had a plastibat warp after maybe 10ish uses. At least with a Masonite bat I can get the bottom of the sucker wet and it'll warp down onto the wheel head in a minute or two. The second issue was that even though it is textured, it still doesn't grip clay like you'd hope for, I've had pieces come off halfway through throwing which is a huge bummer. The texture also will chew your hands up when centering, hurts yo. Other than that, they're a joy. Feels like cutting board plastic so HDPE? I went back to hardboard (Masonite style) because the plastic was just too problematic. Good luck in your ventures, hopefully my gripes can give you some areas to Target in your design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 HDPE. Check the prices. I once looked into having about a hundred bats cut by a local plastics company, and they couldn't do it any cheaper than just buying bats from Northstar, etc. The only way they got close in price was if I were to drill the holes and sand the edges myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 I have a few Corian bats that I made from some sink cutouts and discarded countertops, but I think the material might be too costly for your project... JohnnyK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 17, 2018 Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 think Northstar uses thicker HDPE-you could call them and ask.They switched to a chinkier bat a few years ago as the thin ones has issues. I store mine flat and they work well that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted October 17, 2018 Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 The Ingleton fella (that's posted dozens of u tube vids) uses high pressure laminate sheeting; I want to try that, however, I'll wait on a free scrap before buying a full sheet. So far, I've made bats made from 3/16, 3/8, and 1/2 powder board (from scraps I had laying about) soaked with linseed oil, else finished with oil stain and varnish; potter's plaster poured into small and medium cake tins, large pie plates. My used wheel came with two plastic bats, and I bought one speedball bat. They all work and have their uses... I store my clay pad for plaster bats on a plastic bat, and trim on the thin powder board bat. Heavy common use likely steers you away from powder board and plaster... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 17, 2018 Report Share Posted October 17, 2018 For heavy classroom use, nothing beats plastic. I personally prefer Medex bats. They last forever with minimal care, but in the classroom they would get torn up. People just aren't careful when they don't own the equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRush Posted October 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 Thank you everyone for the advice! Seems like HDPE is probably the material for which I will get a quote. I posted this same question to a different forum as well, and I was so pleased with the diverse answers! It seems like HDPE is the general favorite material that would "fit the bill." Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 18, 2018 Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 It need to be thick enough not to warp and should be stored flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted October 18, 2018 Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 On 10/17/2018 at 8:03 PM, Hulk said: The Ingleton fella https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjqCOLOIp8HKkBxBuiQFTdw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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