New mallets! (PICs)

[T.J. Mahaffey]

Warning: Tailed apprentices are mentioned here, but the result is a hand tool. ;)

I found what looked like an old cut-up stump at an auction. Some old wood with a few natural edges.. Nobody else seemed to want it and, to me, it looked like it *might* be walnut. I snagged it all for $3.

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/auction_walnut.jpg

A week or two later, I had a chance to mill it up and see what was inside. Despite various natural splits and weathering, this is what I ended up with:

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/auction_walnut2.jpg

Now, here it is a week or two later and I made this yesterday from the biggest chunk: (Finished with two coats of Danish oil)

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/carve_mallet1.jpg

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/carve_mallet2.jpg

I was worried about this chunk's cracks at either end... But luckily the splits didn't go all the way through. The bottom picture shows the large knotted area that was present in this piece. I'm not sure it qualifies as 'figure', but I'm very pleased with the result. Not bad for a first try! :)

By the way, I'd like to also note that it was made on my auction-found, $37 "MacGuyver Lathe", as I like to call it.

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/lathe1.jpg

I also just finished this larger (huge!) standard maple mallet: (Also 2 coats of Danish oil)

http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/maple_mallet.jpg

These are my first mallets and I'm pretty happy with the results.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

TJ....the only negative comment I have on your 1st mallets is that they aren't in my possesion! Beautiful mallets 1st or 1000th!

[T.J. Mahaffey]

Thanks, Ken! :)
That means alot.

[Les Spencer]

Very nice. Now it's time for me to do the same.

[Chris Barton]

TJ,

Great looking mallets! I need to run across some wood finds like that!

[Dan Forman]

You certainly have an eye for a bargain! The mallets look fine, and yes, that qualifies as "figure".

Dan

[Steve Clardy]

Hey. You been busy T.J.
Looks great!

[Bob Noles]

T J.....

Just keep it up..... Just keep showing me how bad I need a lathe :eek: If only I had just a little more room in the shop:rolleyes: Maybe someday :cool:

Real nice job and very creative use of wood that was orphaned. I have to settle for plain Jane maple mallets for now and I sure like yours better.

Oh yes..... these qualify as hand tools even if their mother did have a tail :)

[Alan Turner]

That's a whole lot of walnut for $3, and a pretty nice pair of mallets as well.

[Tyler Howell]

Great Scores all around TJ, nice work.:cool:

[Jim Becker]

Really nice mallets! I'm actually thinking about making a couple more for my shop in two smaller sizes when the larger one I made a number of years ago is "too much". It's quite heavy with an Osage Orange head and an oak handle, both turned.

[Mark Stutz]

Gret job, T.J. I was doing the seme thing this afternoon! PICS when I get a chance. I knew that turning bug would get you.:D Folks, I saw him pick up a gouge for the very first time at Terry's this summer. I might add he had some very fine coaching from fellow Creeker Dennis Peacock.

[T.J. Mahaffey]

Hey, Mark! :) Great to talk to you again!

I'd say, yes, the turning 'bug' has hit me a bit. (First lesson: sharp tools work mucho-better.) I think its greatest enjoyment for me is the quick results. Its something I can pick up and crank out something useful in just an hour or two, if I'm stuck and frustrated with something else. (That happens alot.:o)

I also find these things I turn especially rewarding when they come out to my satisfaction *despite* my lacking a 'fancy' or 'proper' lathe. Making my auction-found Franken-lathe meet my modest needs has been a reward all its own. I'm on a budget in the shop, but I don't want that to hinder my learning.

This carving mallet is proof that I'm succeeding in that goal. :)

Its funny, by extension of that, my shop (and woodworking) has really helped teach me some patience. I still sweat over things I want and skill goals I want to meet now-now-now. But things like staying on my shop budget without sacrificing function have borne unexpected fruit in my character.

[Footnote: Some say youth is wasted on the young. I say wisdom is wasted on the, um, seasoned. ;) ]

[Mark Stutz]

T.J.
The "immediate return" is one of the reasons I like turning as well.:D Although I wouldn't recommend trying a big bowl on your lathe it obviuosly is more than adequate for spindle work. I think I see a whole bunch of new chisel and rasp handles in the future!

[Mike Wenzloff]

...Just keep showing me how bad I need a lathe :eek: If only I had just a little more room in the shop:rolleyes: Maybe someday :cool:
...
Oh Bob, Bob, Bob. Sure you can wiggle a lathe in the shop. Just get a Jet Mini with the variable speed.

It'll fit...it'll fit...go for it ;)

Mike
who's wife owns two lathes <g>...

[T.J. Mahaffey]

T.J.
The "immediate return" is one of the reasons I like turning as well.:D Although I wouldn't recommend trying a big bowl on your lathe it obviuosly is more than adequate for spindle work. I think I see a whole bunch of new chisel and rasp handles in the future!

Exactly, Mark. Tool handles are the main reason I needed/wanted a lathe right now and jumped on this one. Did I mention it only cost me $37 with tax? :):cool:

[Mark Cothren]

Hey TJ, congrats on the wood and also the nice mallets! Very nice! Keep on messin' with that $37 lathe and you'll get a bad case of "I gotta have a bigger lathe"....:D