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Thread: Making Mallets

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Michigan
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    2,758

    Making Mallets

    Making Mallets is fun!

    Heap o hammers.jpg

    And it's the way to get the right tool for the job.

    The biggest 4 saw use on a timber frame project a few years ago and since then just occasional use.

    The smaller Purpleheart and Oak mallet is used every day for joinery. The surface is starting to spall so I may repair it or make a new one soon.

    The little one (Gumby) also gets used most days. It's great for delicate joinery. It was just a scrap of Maple that needed just a bit of rounding and sanding.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
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    9,469
    Can you say something about the design of your mallets? The shape and weight and size of the head? The length and shaping if the handle? How the two are attached?

    Regards from Perth

    Derek

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Longview WA
    Posts
    27,347
    Blog Entries
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    Tom, That's a nice bunch of bonkers.

    My most used mallet is similar to your Gumby mallet. Mine is made of oak:

    Mallets Compared.jpg

    The one on the left is my user. The other one was made to sell at the farmers market. A few folks seem to like them.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Texas Hill Country
    Posts
    705
    Tom, Jim,
    Nice mallets! I see a small shop made mallet in my future!

    Mike

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    West Tennessee
    Posts
    99
    20190122_144300.jpg

    Most recent mallet, this one for my son. My user is similar only beat a little.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    32

    Joinery Mallet

    I just finished this one, live oak and walnut.

    20190214_112855.jpg

  7. #7
    I just tap most of the time.

    IMG_20180221_170154_HDR.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    9,469
    Ok, no takers to my earlier question (just trying to create some discussion about design)...

    In my opinion, good handles offer some support. Straight handles do not, and will fatigue. The one below has a double grip: full swing and choked ...



    I like UHMW for the heads. It does not marr or damage but also does not cushion the blow.



    Regards from Perth

    Derek

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Austin Texas
    Posts
    1,957
    Is the UHMW glued at all? or just tacked or screwed in place? I would like to add some to one of my mallets. I like the handle design better than my own. I need to add in the mid length palm swell section and see what that feels like.
    David

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    9,469
    David, the UHMW is first epoxied, then nailed. You can see the nails if you look carefully. The heads are buried below the surface. This combination has been successful over the past couple of years.

    I used leather of mallet heads in the past, however it would distort and eventually peel away.



    Regards from Perth

    Derek

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Austin Texas
    Posts
    1,957
    Thanks. I have some Delrin or UHMW or whatever it is called and may try some.
    David

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    2,758
    Nice mallets Derek

    Heap o hammers.jpg

    Sorry for my delay in getting back about design.

    The handles are just glued into the heads, some with multi piece heads. They all hold up ok.

    The big one with the wire wrapping is not used much. Too big mostly, but occasionally useful. I wrapped it in wire to add weight and to prevent splitting. Was going to wrap the other face but it got heavy and I let it go.

    The midsize Purpleheart and Oak has a very good handle and balance. I don't hit with any particular side, it works fine on the face or flat or the corner. Should put a small flat on it so my hand can control it. I never look at the mallet.

    I corrected this with the Maple and Walnut one. The round head doesn't care which face I use. It is pieced together in 3 rings with end grain out on all sides. It has some cracks. I need to explore this design some more.

    The pointy headed cudgel was just fun for timber framing with friends.

    The little one piece Maple Gumby is probably the most successful design, and it only takes minutes to make.

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