Hey All,

What would be the most efficient tool to use in order to cut a wooden baseball bat in half longitudinally. From the google searches I have done so far, it seems the band saw would be the easiest. Keep in mind, I am new at this stuff so simple and efficient is what would work for me. Please chime in with suggestions. As always, thanks for the great advice!

I would use a bandsaw. But I would create a fixture of some sort to hold it in place and to guarantee it goes down the middle, doesn't rotate during the cut, etc.

David

I'd cut it on the table saw, because I don't have a (wood) bandsaw. I'd build a wood box, open on the side like a flower box. Hold the bat tight on both ends with shims and to keep it centered in the box. I'd wrap the bat in cellophane wrap, put it in the box and then fill the box with spray foam. Once completely cured, Cut the box in half & peal the bat halves out of the foam like a peach pit.
I should add this disclaimer, I'd have to have a real, real good reason to cut a bat in half, to go through that much work.

Too much time on my hands today at doctor's orders.

You could cut it on a table saw however you would need the wooden box to hold it. The bat is tapered so you would need something to cut down the center and safely. Cutting something round whether cutting it crosswise or lengthwise in one of the most dangerous cuts you could make. Rather than using cellophane to hold it in the box better fabricate some brackets and screw it down.

Thanks for all the quick reply everyone. I bit the bullet and bought a Grizzly G0555LX band saw, and at the suggestion of the salesperson, I also purchased a push stick, a saw guide, , a thicker blade, and mags. He was very helpful although I am pretty sure he was trying to push extra products on me. I hate being new at things, but I guess that's what it takes to learn.

Do not cut a round or tapered item unless it is FIRMLY fixed to a square object.

Pain and misery will be the result.

I figured my facetiousness was obvious, by using the laughing emoji. However, if the box was built solid, and the bat was held in the box securely on both ends with shims (blocks if you'd rather call them blocks) where could it go? Fill the remaining box cavity with expanding foam and let it set up, it would be like cutting a solid block. If cellophane or some sort of release agent wasn't used, you'd spend a good amount of time digging it out of the foam after the cut.

Again, This is purely hypothetical. I'd have to have a real, real good reason to cut a bat in half, to go through that much work. If I really wanted a half bat, I'd be more inclined to just make a 1/2 bat from scratch.

Should also have mentioned, it is not necessary to cut the box in 2 using this method. just cut deep enough to cut through the bat, then pry the box apart. Just as safe as cutting a solid block of wood.

My disclaimer is that when my band saw arrives, I will read the instructions and take all measures to be safe but why not do this? It seems simple:

See two short videos

You know the ol' saying, ''there's more than 1 way to skin a bat''.

some people are so uninformed that they think they know everything.

Dont do it.
There thats the warning.
from here on in its at your risk.

It depends on how clean and flat you want the cut edge to be.If you’re able to keep it absolutely positively dead center for the entirety of the cut, it might not be disastrous, but I doubt the flat side would even and flat. The downward force of the bandsaw blade will tend to roll the bat over. Add to that the taper of the bat and you have a recipe for an out-of-whack cut and maybe a disaster when the blade binds. It’s easy enough to make a sled to get a nice square, even cut.

band saw and sled, been there done that.

Would it be possible to make a three sided box like a hand miter saw? It would be a square U shape and could be wedged some way to keep the bat centered. You would be cutting the bat and the box at the same time. Opinions of the forum????

Read post #5

Post #4????? Thanks. Over looked it. Shows good minds run in the same race.

Actually showed up first on Post #3. and difalkner mentioned a fixture in post #2.

Since you purchased a bandsaw, I would use this jig idea.

Sorry guys....against expert advice, I just ran the wooden bat through the band saw and sliced it in half with no issue.