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bats aboard the ark

updated fri 24 oct 97

 

Clennell on fri 3 oct 97

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>In my studio in California, many years ago, I bought eight sheets of
>waterproof 3/4" particle board called RED-X, cut them into twelve-inch


Dear Vince: I think what you may have been using is what i call marine
plywood. I phoned Chuck our resident boatbuilder and guitar maker today to
ask him about this RED-X. Chuck says it is hard to get good plywood these
days. Most of it has to many voids or spaces in the veneering. He said
that in the marine business they use a mahogany plywood which holds up to
being wet and dry. It's expensive but is the best. I am sure that's what
I used. He gave me a address for you. They have branches in US and Canada.
Noah's Marine Supply. http://www.noahsmarine.com Contact them for a
cataloque. Lots of epoxies and stuff that may be of interest to Richard
Aerni too.
Looks like Noah is taking bats aboard. I wonder if he would take me in the
event of the flood. Unless he has room for me, my wheel, a ton of clay, my
Harley and a box of red wine, I aint't goin'.

Look out for flying bats!
Tony

Sheila and Tony Clennell
Gleason Brook Pottery
Box l0, RR#2,
Wiarton, Ontario
NOH 2TO
Canada

Phone # 1 (519) 534-2935
Fax # 1 (519) 534-0602
E-mail clennell@bmts.com

Vince Pitelka on sat 4 oct 97

>Dear Vince: I think what you may have been using is what i call marine
>plywood. I phoned Chuck our resident boatbuilder and guitar maker today to
>ask him about this RED-X. Chuck says it is hard to get good plywood these

Tony -
Yes, marine plywood does make great bats, when treated properly. What I was
using 25 years ago was definitely particle board, and it was definitely
called Red-X. As you know from earlier posts, the contemporary product
closest to Red-X is called MEDEX, but for those who cannot get this stuff,
here at the Craft Center we made wonderful bats with marine plywood,
finished with marine spar varnish. For anyone interested, do all your
beveling of edges, drilling of bat holes, etc., before doing the spar
varnish. We used about six coats, sanded lightly when each coat was dry,
and once more after the last coat. They have been in heavy use for about
two years now, and are holding up very well. Definitely a lot more trouble
than those Red-X bats, and when one combines the price of the marine plywood
and the spar varnish, probably as expensive as MEDEX.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166