Most composite bats need a certain time before you can use them in an actual game which we call break-in period. You can fasten the process with a bat rolling machine. But they are expensive and need special skills to operate and maintain. But don’t worry. With a little effort, you can make one at home. So, how to make a bat rolling machine?
Composite materials such as carbon fiber and graphite are used to make a composite bat. The bats are basically not game-ready, and need time to break in.
A bat rolling machine makes the rolled bat broken-in which becomes game ready instantly.
But, you will find the bat rolling machine costly. Normally, the rolling service providers buy such machines.
But no worries, you can also build your DIY bat rollers at home. Let’s see everything you need to know about making a bat roller.
Table of Contents
What Is a Bat Rolling Machine?
The process in which bats are rolled and get a quick break-in is called bat rolling. On the other hand, the machine that rolls the bats is called the bat rolling machine.
An operator inserts the bat into the machine. The rolling process could take place parallel or perpendicularly. The bat is squeezed and heated. It increases the breaking-in rate and performance faster.
During the rolling, the process goes through heated bat rolling. Also, the more you use your composite baseball bat, the more it will be heated by itself.
By the way, using a bat rolling machine for bat rolling is helpful in significant ways. The most significant advantage is that it breaks in the composite bats in a faster way.
The main principle of rolling is compression on the carbon fiber of the bat. The compression makes the carbon fiber flexible and softens the composite bat. When this happens, the bat is broken-in for the game.
The rolling machine will define how much pressure will be needed. It will not exceed the pressure that the bat requires.
Another fact about bat rolling is that you don’t need to rotate the bat while going through the manual break-in of your bat.
However, you can either purchase a bat rolling machine for yourself, though it is expensive. But you can do it if you are a trainer, or have a big coaching facility where you need to roll bats regularly.
On the other hand, you can take bat rolling service from efficient service providers. You may need to spend up to $100 for your bat rolled.
How Does The Rolling Machine Work?
When going for the bat rolling service, the machine operator will position your composite softball or baseball bat into the rolling machine.
The bats should be compression tested for rolling. The compression test for the softball or baseball composite bats will help you to know the current break-in state before being rolled in.
So, you need to check the testing facility of the rolling service provider to hit the best result of the rolling service.
However, your new bat will be inside the rolling machine with two upper rollers and a single down roller on the machine.
There is an upper T-handle to adjust the upper roller position and pressure. Also, there is another side handle to reel your bat.
However, the roller machine could be automated as well. On the other hand, in a manual roller, you can rotate the bat by using the side handle.
The rolling will be basically on the sweet spot or hot spots of the abt to improve performance. The rolling softens the bats’ carbon fiber and makes it more flexible.
The rolling increases the trampoline effect and pop of the bat. This facilitates higher exit velocity. Also, this makes your bat game ready.
The following video shows how an operator does the rolling on composite baseball bats.
Types of Bat Rolling Machine
There are two different types of rolling machines. One is Parallel, and another is Perpendicular. Let’s have a brief overview of them.
Parallel Rolling Machine
You will find two upper rollers and a single down roller in a parallel rolling machine. You need to insert the bats’ barrel into the machine parallel to the rollers.
After placing the bat’s barrel into the roller, the machine operator compresses the bat as per requirement. After this, the operator spins the bat handle which rolls the barrel of the bat along with the rollers.
By the way, the rotation happens around 20 to 25 times. After being efficiently rolled, the bat gets a fast break-in, increased hitting power, and performance.
The rolling increases the exit velocity of bats. You don’t need to replace the bat in parallel rolling. The only drawback of parallel rolling is that almost the entire sweet spot is rolled at a time.
This may affect the natural break-in of the composite material of the bat.
Perpendicular Rolling Machine
The perpendicular rolling machine allows you to insert your bat at a 90° angle. In this case, you can set the bat position back and forth.
During perpendicular rolling, you need to rotate the bat to cover the entire barrel and push and pull the bat front and back. Re-insert the bat and do the same process again till; the process ends.
By the way, with each increment of barrel compression, you need to go through a minimum of 8 points. For this, you need to remove and re-insert the bat at least 4 times.
However, while using the perpendicular roller machine for increasing hitting power, and break-in, you must be careful.
Because excessive pressure and inefficient rolling may result in a flat spot on your bat’s barrel. This will surely decrease the quality of the rolled bat.
Excess rolling may alter the shape of the bats, which may not follow the legal use of bats. To avoid this, you may want to know which bats are illegal to use. Our following post on Illegal Baseball Bats – Models and Methods may be helpful to determine the illegal bats.
How To Make A Bat Rolling Machine?
Before knowing the making of the bat rolling machine, let’s know what are main parts of a machine are. Because it is necessary to know about the parts before making something.
The Parts Of A Bat Rolling Machine
By the way, if you want to build your own machine for your bats, I can help you by providing some basic information.
The very first fact to know is the required parts and materials of the machine. You will find the following parts in a bat rolling machine.
Shell
The shell is an internal part of the machines. It is basically made of aluminum or steel. It holds the internal design of the machine. This one is a welded design.
Upper Carriage
The upper carriage of a bats’ roller machine holds the upper rollers. It generally shifts up and down. It has a tight tolerance.
Bearings
The bearings are parts that ensure the relevant motions of the parts where needed. Bearings exist on the rollers and the carriage.
Shafts
The shaft is the rotating machine element that helps to transmit power to the end of the machine.
Handles
In a manual machine, there are basically two handles. One is the T-handle that is used to balance the pressure of the roller.
Another one is used to rotate the roller for rolling the bats.
The Roller
The most important part of the rolling machine is its rollers. Actually, the main job is directly done with the bats through the roller.
The rollers are mainly made of plastic/steel or aluminum. The quality of the roller depends on the material used. The roller holds a very tight tolerance.
On the other hand, the holes of the roller must be on the exact middle point with the exact required size.
Making Process Of Bat rolling Machine
The shell of the machine is working as the main structure of the rolling machine. You must first construct the shell of the machine in order to secure the overall structural integrity of the machine.
Remember, after finishing the structure, the previous all welded design will be unable to bring any change, or repairs virtually impossible.
It is now time to construct the top carriage in the second stage. The higher rollers of the machine will be held in place by the carriage. You need to use aluminum or steel to build the carriage.
The upper carriage will hold the upper rollers. The shaft will hold the bearings that help to rotate the rollers.
By the way, you need to place the handles in the right place. One will be above the upper carriage that manages the pressure on the bats.
Another one is used to rotate the rollers for rolling the softball or baseball bats.
After assembling them properly, your machine is completed.
How To Make A Softball Bat Rolling Machine?
I have found a lot of questions about how to make a softball rolling machine. Actually, when you make the machine for a composite bat, there is nothing different about the softball.
Ultimately, the making process of the softball machine is the same as the composite bat rolling machine.
Cost And Time
The cost depends on the quality of the materials. If you use plastic, it will cost you less. But, high-grade materials like aluminum or steel will cost more than plastic.
However, it will cost you a minimum of $250 to $300 to make a DIY roller machine. Also, it will take around 3 to 4 days if you are an expert in making such devices.
Does Bat Rolling Really Work For Composite Bat?
Many people may think the rolling will increase the performance, exit velocity, and others by a robust amount. But you should not expect a lot unwisely.
By the way, after testing the hit of a rolled bat there is a noticeable change. The rolled bat gives an increased performance and exit speed.
And you will get the same result with several hundreds of hits by practicing yourself. The result is that you get the bat broken-in in the fastest time.
The Benefit Of Rolled Bat
There are many benefits here to rolling a softball composite bat. Let’s see what they are.
More Power Generation
With a lot of contacting your bat with balls, the carbon fiber of the composite bats gets softened and flexible. This makes the bats more powerful and generates more power on hit. And this happens gradually for a long time.
The same thing happens when you roll the bats. And yes, this happens in a short time. Ultimately, the rolled bats are able to generate more power hitting.
Dead Spots Removal
Dead spots are a common problem for used bats. Sometimes, some new bats also experience the same problem.
The dead spots of bats get recovered and consistent contacts of bats create a natural pattern for great performance.
Larger Sweet Spot
In the wrap out of the bat, the sweet spot lies on a particular space on the barrel.
The continuous pressing on the barrel while rolling breaks the carbon making the barrel flexible. The entire barrel gets optimized for the sweet spot.
As a result, the barrel gets a larger sweet spot.
Quick Break-In
The difference between the bat that wraps out of the box with the rolled bat is its break-in state. Basically, the main focus of the bat rolling is to make the bat game-ready wrapt out of the box.
The rolling makes the bat game-ready with the fastest time in almost brand new condition. Just grab and play extreme with your new bat.
Is Bat Rolling Illegal?
The main purpose of the bat rolling is to perform the early break-in of the bats. So, basically, all bats go through this process.
That is why bat rolling is not illegal when you do it for a break-in. But, if you change the bat’s physical state by rolling it, you could be out of any professional tournament.
But, just for break-in, no, bat rolling is not illegal. Often you need to roll the bat for quick use in any tournament.
We have another detailed post concerning bat rolling and shaving. You will get a detailed discussion on the legality of rolling and shaving here. Check the Bat Rolling and Shaving for more.
Bat Rolling Machines For Sale
To be honest, bat rolling machines are expensive to buy. Generally, people who just need to roll their bats don’t need to buy a rolling machine.
Because it costs a lot it won’t be worth it to roll 1 or 2 bats. I would say, it will be a waste of money. The people who basically provide bat services for bat rolling, rolling machines are worth it for them.
Because it may cost you around $800 to $1500 to buy a machine.
The following are some of the best bat rolling machines.
- Extreme Black Legacy.
- ProRollers Patriot.
Baseball Bat Rolling Service
As buying a bat rolling machine is expensive, you can take the rolling service from renowned service providers.
Actually, it is the most cost-effective way to roll your bat perfectly. Because an efficient service provider will provide you with rolling through all previous welded design machines.
However, the rolling service may cost you $35 to $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Is There Performance Improvement With Bat Rolling?
There is no guarantee that the performance will be extremely increased after rolling. However, it is sure that after rolling your bat, it will get an increased pop.
→ Does Rolling a Bat Shorten Its Life?
The rolling brings a better trampoline effect by losing the carbon fiber of the bats with compression and pressure.
Due to constant pressure and compression, the rolled bats get an early break-in. But, along with this, the rolling shortens the lifespan of the bat.
Conclusion
The buying of a bat rolling machine is not a wise decision while you can get the service for a cost-effective rate. Because purchasing it will cost a lot which will not be worth it.
However, you can also make your own machine at home if you are an expert in making such devices.
But, it is wise to get the service if you are not skilled enough to make such a machine. Also, be careful about the alteration.
Because, if the bat gets altered because of rolling, it will be illegal to play in leagues.
You Might Also Like:
How To Make A Wooden Baseball Bat In 10 Steps With Budgets And Options
What are Baseball Bats Made Of?
7 Best Baseball Bat for Self Defense – The Walking Dead Bats
11 Best Baseball Batting Tee in 2022 to Maximize Your Batting Ability
