Pyewackette Posted February 28, 2023 Report Share Posted February 28, 2023 The studio manager showed me a bat he loves and has had for over 10 years that he loves because it has never warped and apparently is set to last forever. He can't remember where he got them and would like to get more for the studio. It looks to be some kind of coarse plywood sandwiched between 1/8" masonite, but given its longevity, perhaps some kind of "special" masonite. I'm sure I've read about such bats on here before. Does anybody recognize the material and have any idea where it can be sourced? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted March 5, 2023 Report Share Posted March 5, 2023 I’m guessing that’s MDO panel. It’s available from lumberyards. I’m not sure how common double sided MDO is or what thicknesses it’s available in, but now you know what to look for. Callie Beller Diesel and Pyewackette 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted March 5, 2023 Report Share Posted March 5, 2023 Medex maybe? Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnolia Mud Research Posted March 5, 2023 Report Share Posted March 5, 2023 (edited) A good "BAT" discussion can be found at: How to Make Throwing Batshttps://www.vincepitelka.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/How-to-Make-Throwing-Bats.pdf an alternate to hard bats try the flexible ones: https://www.vincepitelka.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Throwing-on-Canvas-Bats-as-an-Alternative-to-Rigid-Bats.pdf I use both kinds depending on why, what, where, and when the "bat" is needed. LT Edited March 5, 2023 by Magnolia Mud Research Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted March 5, 2023 Report Share Posted March 5, 2023 A new product out made from rice hulls is interesting, it's expensive though. Wonder how it would be for making batts with. It's good for exterior applications and can be cut with woodworking tools. Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted March 5, 2023 Report Share Posted March 5, 2023 +1 for MDO. Mine are going pretty strong 20 years later. I recommend the single sided 1/2” or thicker. I do have some double sided bats, but I like them less because they can slip off a bat patty, and the single sided is usually a little less expensive. If you’re using bat pins, the slippage isn’t an issue. Kelly in AK and Pyewackette 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyewackette Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 (edited) Thanks to everyone for helping to solve this mystery. I think he'll be glad to know. He's been using these bats for years without ever knowing where they actually came from. Big box lumber guys have apparently steered him wrong several times LOL! As for me, a couple of days ago I finally found my long lost tools from 12 years ago and at least some of my bats. Sadly only one of my Hydrobats though! I can't remember if I had 3 or 4 of those but at least I found ONE LOL! I got several different bats to see what I liked best and I liked the Hydrostone bats so well I never even tried the others. There was a Duron/Masonite bat, a Wonderbat, a generic MDF bat, and a Hydrostone bat in that group. The Hydrobat worked so well I immediately bought either 2 more for a total of 3 or 3 more for a total of 4. There was a 3 in there somewhere! I love me some Hydrostone and I keep thinking I will buy more and then ... I remember the shipping. Which is more than the bats LOL! So I'm just getting some 12" Duron bats from Sheffield with the free shipping doncha know. In a few months I will be living an hour plus change from both Bailey's and Sheffield, and maybe some other pottery supply places in the area I'm not yet aware of. Then I'll get me some more Hydrostone bats! Woo hoo! Edited March 6, 2023 by Pyewackette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 (edited) envy you moving near bailey, pye. i have a lot of bats made of Duron, a double sided masonite. i had a 4x8 sheet made into bats back in the 1990s. still going strong. i do not know the relationship of the business called masonite and the brand name Duron. it seems to have changed. there are still duron bats for sale but i do not like the holes. one is round and the other is a slot. i gave a bunch to mea, good elephant pottery several years ago, maybe she will chime in on durability. Edited March 6, 2023 by oldlady Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 I use Medex bats. They've lasted for 20 years and they're still going strong. Medex is an exterior grade MDF, absorbent but wont' degrade like masonite. I got mine from Northstar, but there are others on the market now. Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 Medium-density overlay board (MDO) has a similar, smooth surface about 1⁄ 16 " thick on each face, bonded to a plywood core. never used it but it looks good not to be confused with MDF I throw on plaster 90% medex (Northstar sent me these free to try when they where testing them long ago) and blue plastic northstar bats and some formica bats homemade about 10%.(plates platter larger forms which I'm getting out of slowly) I have some Masonite bats that I only use to dry forms on as they warp when wet so I keep them dry-not a Masonite bat fan Tip of the day. You can now buy from cheaper crafts outlets(online) those MDO circles precut-you just need to drill them Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyewackette Posted March 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 @Mark C. And where, pray tell, might such a crafts outlet be? Google only returns links for MDF circles ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 (edited) People send me stuff via email and this was one of those things-I have never tried them but This person likes them. The idea is they are light and would be lighter than my paster. That said I love my paster as the bottoms dry at same speed as tops so production is fast. wiring off pots and filping they to dry is not a production tool for me. When My plaster gets to much I will consider it. I throw a lot of forms up to 80-100 a day on 6 inch small homemade plaster (mini pie tins are the form ) bats. They are 6 across on top and about 5 on bottom. I use them on wooden ware boards.With plaster we can process the pots all in same day-handles -trimming -everything. Plaster is what makes this work. Its works when I'm working on other forms no need to flip any forms to dry bottom. Its like rust it never sleeps Woodpecker crafts-looks to be in Florida-free shipping over $75-goggle discount code and you may save more They make these in all sizes 3-7-9-12 and larger and they are pretty cheap especailly if you by some (not one).You need to mouse around the site to see what other sizes and thinkness they sell. If you finished them with something they would last a long time https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/7-circle-wooden-cutout-1-4-thick/?_ga=2.61608876.1219828974.1678153090-1016357538.1678153090&_gac=1.94678766.1678153121.CjwKCAiAu5agBhBzEiwAdiR5tK7lqRyZj4fTw-oCLdl9mfwPoGiAC9QebcySGbjSJw-9e9l2a7EFWhoCBXMQAvD_BwE The bigger question is how the woodpeckers make them round?? May be a good question of the week? Edited March 9, 2023 by Mark C. Pyewackette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, Mark C. said: They make these in all sizes 3-7-9-12 and larger and they are pretty cheap especailly if you by some (not one).You need to mouse around the site to see what other sizes and thinkness they sell. If you finished them with something they would last a long time https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/7-circle-wooden-cutout-1-4-thick/?_ga=2.61608876.1219828974.1678153090-1016357538.1678153090&_gac=1.94678766.1678153121.CjwKCAiAu5agBhBzEiwAdiR5tK7lqRyZj4fTw-oCLdl9mfwPoGiAC9QebcySGbjSJw-9e9l2a7EFWhoCBXMQAvD_BwE Those appear to be pre cut birch plywood circles. Have you used birch? Edited March 7, 2023 by Bill Kielb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted March 7, 2023 Report Share Posted March 7, 2023 (edited) 20 hours ago, Bill Kielb said: Those appear to be pre cut birch plywood circles. Have you used birch? (People send me stuff via email and this was one of those things-I have never tried them but This person likes them. The idea is they are light and would be lighter than my paster.) No bill But I did suggest coating them with finish if one uses them. Edited March 8, 2023 by Mark C. Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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