Croquet set

[Dean Chapel]

I'm going to turn croquet sets for the adult kids. Anyone know the diameter of the balls? Also, what is the customary woods for balls and mallets? I'm thinking hard maple. Lastly, anyone got a source for 16/4 hard maple (or whatever wood the balls are made from) that ships? I'd prefer Iowa, MN or WI just for shipping costs. Ebay hasn't had much available.

Thanks, Dean

[Eric Gourieux]

I don't know the size off hand, but I think we still have an old set that I could measure. I would think that hard maple would work fine. Hedge apple, or osage orange, would also be a good wood to use. It is used for mallets and used to be used to make golf club heads. I have some logs that I could cut, if you are interested. If interested, PM me.

[Steve Trauthwein]

Dean,

If you do a google search on croquet you will find all of the information you need. I have always been interested in making a set, but never lived anywhere I could use one.

Regards, Steve

[Bruce Pratt]

Highland Hardwoods (http://www.highlandhardwoods.com)(NH) has 16/4 hard maple. [No affiliation with HH; just a satisfied customer]

[Paul Gilbert]

My father made my brother and me a croquet set when we were kids. The balls and mallet heads were turned from Hedge Apple-Osage Orange-Bois d'Arc. Give a kid a ball and a mallet and run for cover because there will be a long drive contest. The balls held up to that punishment and my brother still has the set. It has survived a good 60 years and gone through three generations of kids.

[Dave Fritz]

Family business - good people. http://johnsonwoodproducts.com/species_available

Dave Fritz

[allen thunem]

Were it me I would probably find a suitable timber and glue up kiln dried pieces to make the ball blanks and even the mallet heads. might be more cost effective that way and possibly less chance of splitting over time. Using epoxy glue instead of yellow glue. to do the glue up.
just my 2 cents

[Scott Kuykendall]

Here is a free set of plans from Woodworkers Journal http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/Issue275/WJ030%20Classic%20Croquet%20Set.pdf
Scott

[Dean Chapel]

You guys are crazy helpful! Thanks so much for the information and ideas. My initial thought was kinda half-baked, but you guys put some flesh on it. Again- thanks,

Dean

[Dennis Nagle]

Take and post many pix Dean.