Built me a trench-raider stick

[AeroRat]

Kind of crude, but not too bad for a first attempt I don't think. The build time was a couple of days and the bill of materials was around $30 ($20 of which was the bat).

Starting with this:



...we wind up with this:





Though I'm kind of sad that I can't really take it anyplace with me unless the zombies come. But it was a neat project and a fun way to kill some time.

Needs cantaloupe testing, I think.

[Chirpy]

Veerrrry niiiiccccce.

[maldon007]

Chain link fence pole cap & 5/16" bolts?

Love it! Gotta make one... maybe shovel handle longer/thinner version.

[azrael99]

i love your project. i want to make a similar it.

[azrael99]

duplicate

[Sckitzo]

Very cool man

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Nice work, AeroRat.

This gives me an idea of what to do with that old Louisville Slugger Little League bat I keep by my dresser.

[hatchtrikk]

Badass!

I have a wooden bat sitting in my 'projects' pile that needs some lovin'. Good job man!

[azrael99]

i have a tire thumper i wanted to customise

mine is similar to that

[AeroRat]

Thanks, all.

These things make for fun little projects if you've got ~$40 and two or three days to kill. All things considered it'd be no big thing to throw together a materials/instruction list if you guys are interested. I didn't think to take any step-by-step pictures, unfortunately - maybe on the next go-around.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I'm interested in a parts/instruction list, if you don't mind, AeroRat.

I'm usually stuck in my house most days so this'd be a fun way to keep me occupied.

[AeroRat]

For those of you interested in building one of your own...

http://www.pdf-archive.com/2012/05/05/trench-club/

There we go. Post pictures when you're done.

[Krustofski]

Please don't tell my girlfriend, but I have a serious crush on you right now. Because of your stout, hard stick.

[AeroRat]

Please don't tell my girlfriend, but I have a serious crush on you right now. Because of your stout, hard stick.

Take a number.

[Kutter_0311]

Needs cantaloupe testing, I think.

Damn nice. Vids of cantaloupe testing?

[Regular Guy]

Please don't tell my girlfriend, but I have a serious crush on you right now. Because of your stout, hard stick.

Take a number.

Bam! #2 for me, sweetie. Nice stick, I'm appoint.

[AeroRat]

Damn nice. Vids of cantaloupe testing?

None yet. But we needs them, we does.

[DaBird]

I agree that IS BADASS and thanks for posting it ARat !!!!!

I'll be looking at garage sales for a few used bats now -- I see one like yours and a spiked one in my future

[Krustofski]

I feel the urge to smash it on some melons inside bike helmets. *bam*

[foxx]

How big is your stick? Yes, I have bat envy.

I have two 30" Louisville Sluggers, one is ash and the other is maple. Maple is a stronger wood, studies show that the grain alignment, to the ball, doesn't matter with maple. I wonder about the ash, in the context of bashing other objects, especially after adding weight? I think your cap is an awesome idea, that increases the strength out there for sure.

The maple LS I have does not have the same rounded end, as the ash version. It has a cone shaped cutout, so a cap would only contact the sides and the top edge, not the center. Would that make it stronger, or I wonder if I would want to fill up that space? Maybe the base of a spike should go in there, with the fence cap over it, best of both?

[AeroRat]

How big is your stick? Yes, I have bat envy.

I have two 30" Louisville Sluggers, one is ash and the other is maple. Maple is a stronger wood, studies show that the grain alignment, to the ball, doesn't matter with maple. I wonder about the ash, in the context of bashing other objects, especially after adding weight? I think your cap is an awesome idea, that increases the strength out there for sure.

The maple LS I have does not have the same rounded end, as the ash version. It has a cone shaped cutout, so a cap would only contact the sides and the top edge, not the center. Would that make it stronger, or I wonder if I would want to fill up that space? Maybe the base of a spike should go in there, with the fence cap over it, best of both?

Probably something I should have put in the PDF. After the alterations were finished, the club measures out at 24" (not counting the lanyard ring on the tail end). It also weighs 1.15 lbs - probably light for a fighting stick, but easier to swing. I'm hoping the dozen hex-heads and the aluminum cap on the end make up for that.

There is of course the possibility that this thing might shatter if I use it again anything stouter than a watermelon. Testing should give me an idea once I get around to it.

Were I to use a maple bat, I'd probably cut off the indention in the end. It's going to get covered up anyway, so it doesn't need to be pretty. I'd think the big concern using a bat with a hollow end would be less about fitting the cap and more about reducing the purchase for the screws.

Once I scrape up the spare cash I think I might build another and maybe try some different stuff.