Jim Underwood
07-06-2012, 7:10 PM
So I'm making a two piece mallet, similar to a gavel or croquet mallet, and wonder if you think the grain direction of the handle and head should go a certain direction?
The handle is just like a hammer handle in that it's a wedged tenon. I'm thinking the split for the wedge should be perpendicular to the axis of the head to minimize any tendency to split.
But which direction should the grain in the handle and the head be to be able to take maximum punishment, if I go to really whacking on something? The grain in the head runs the direction of it's axis, so that any blows are on end grain, but should the radius of the grain run across the axis, or with the axis of the head?
Boy, a picture sure would be helpful, huh?
The handle is just like a hammer handle in that it's a wedged tenon. I'm thinking the split for the wedge should be perpendicular to the axis of the head to minimize any tendency to split.
But which direction should the grain in the handle and the head be to be able to take maximum punishment, if I go to really whacking on something? The grain in the head runs the direction of it's axis, so that any blows are on end grain, but should the radius of the grain run across the axis, or with the axis of the head?
Boy, a picture sure would be helpful, huh?