I'm looking to transform a 31-inch maple youth baseball bat into an urn. I found a similar bat on eBay for reference. The urn needs to hold about a quarter of a person's ashes at most. I'm curious if this idea is feasible, what the risks are for damaging the bat, and how I could locate a skilled woodworker for the task. Any insights or advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
If they have a lathe, it's pretty straightforward. Just look for a local wood turner; they'll know exactly what to do. It can be tricky without one, but a pro will make it easy!
Absolutely, it's doable! A woodworker can drill from the end of the bat towards the handle using a long drill bit. Just make sure they create a nice plug to cover the hole once it's done—this way you can keep the cremains secure.
Are you planning to display it? A top-down boring technique could work well here, creating a channel for the ashes and then finishing it with some cool inlay. If you're thinking of using it as a bat, though, be aware that it might compromise its strength, which could make it unsafe. Alternatively, you could also make a medallion from the ashes and attach it to the bat's knob. Just check local regulations before modifying it!

That sounds like a creative idea! Plus, it keeps the bat functional without risking safety.