I saw an article in a woodworking magazine, maybe it was shop notes, on making wooden mallets that were filled with lead pallets.
I made up a few of these, some I gave away, others are still hanging around.
They’re easy to make, and useful around the shop. Not to mention they look great and are a good use for small scraps of exotic woods.
The ones below don’t have the leather contact cemented to the face of them. It’s this leather that keeps them from marring the surface of the wood your hitting.




-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com






















35 comments so far
teenagewoodworker
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2032 posts in 253 days
posted 100 days ago
cool. those are beautiful and functional. can’t get much better than that.
Josh
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84 posts in 423 days
posted 100 days ago
I guess you do run out of tools to buy when you build your own. Those are very nice.
Karson
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12906 posts in 886 days
posted 100 days ago
Lee a nice heft to them with the Lead shot. And they look great in person. Nice Job and thanls for the picnic.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
gizmodyne
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1479 posts in 575 days
posted 100 days ago
Nice. I want to make a dead blow. I found the article or a plan at least
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Damian Penney
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679 posts in 477 days
posted 100 days ago
Very cool looking, I love shop made tools.
-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso
PurpLev
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353 posts in 134 days
posted 100 days ago
those are beautiful. definitely on my list of to-dos… just waiting to have enough scrap pieces for it … haha (I keep finding uses for all my scraps , and at the end of the job am left with nothing but 1×1x2 pieces… what the hell?!?)
-- My Drinking Club has a Woodworking Problem...
SPalm
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728 posts in 367 days
posted 100 days ago
Hey Lee, those look fine.
How is the maple one hollowed out? Is the shot able to flow inside from end to end, or are there two seperate chambers? About how much shot does it take?
Steve
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
PaBull
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231 posts in 150 days
posted 100 days ago
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/Joiners%20Mallet.pdf
This is a free link with very nice instructions. I might build me one of these, thanks Lee!
-- http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi denis;
Thank you;
These are great fun to make! Very useful, and it sure beats throwing away scraps of exotics.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi Josh;
That’s no problem. Just buy newer models. lol
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Karson;
It was absolutely my pleasure!
Funny how we plan certain things to try, and then get side tracked to every thing but what we planned!
I think it’s more enjoyable just to go with the flow.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi John;
I’m not sure if that’s the same plan or not. But it sure looks good!
There are so many variations that can be made it’s crazy.
It’s rare that I spend a day in the shop without using mine. Even if it’s just to knock some sense into me, or jar my memory loose!
In fact mine is probably ten years old and about time to replace it. (maybe retire it to a wall somewhere)
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi Purplev;
I missed you joining up so WELCOME to LJ’s.
I like your signature line.
If all your scraps are that small. you’re doing something right.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi Steve;
They’re handy and fun to make for sure.
The center layer is actually two pieces, one on either end of the handle. One end of the piece is flat and becomes the face. The other end is cut on an angle, which locks the handle in when the wedges are driven into the end of the handle.
It has a hole about 1” in both pieces. These holes are filed most of the way with pellets from a pellet gun. (available in a sporting goods store).
If you fill them to much the extra whack from the shot moving will be lost and reduce the effectiveness.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy making these.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi Damian;
You can make a few to match your bench.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Hi PaBull,
Yup, that’s the one alright!
I’m surprised you were able to find it.
Now I’m going to make some new ones too!
Thank you;
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
thetimberkid
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1520 posts in 189 days
posted 100 days ago
Great work!
Thanks for the post
Callum
-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 100 days ago
Thanks Callum
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Texasgaloot
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345 posts in 186 days
posted 100 days ago
Man, they are easy to make? You say your giving them away?
Seriously, very cool. Great idea!
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
dlcarver
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228 posts in 215 days
posted 99 days ago
Beautiful looking, but who wants to beat up exotic woods? Great idea I never thought of. I was also wondering how much weight is added?.... but you said it had to be loose?
Thanks for the post Lee.
Dave
-- Dave Leitem,Butler,Pa.,http://dlcarver.etsy.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 99 days ago
Hi Tex;
Yeah they’re pretty simple to do. I’d say I’ll mail you one, but with so many members here I’d be creating a monster for sure!
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 99 days ago
Hi Dave;
If you leave it a little loose you can make music with it too!
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Grumpy
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5661 posts in 336 days
posted 99 days ago
Great looking mallets Lee
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 99 days ago
HI grumpy;
You know those posters that say bang head here. People mount them on a wall somewhere.
Well these mallets are portable!
Thank you;
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Woodhacker
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508 posts in 209 days
posted 99 days ago
Lee, those look great! ... I’ve got plenty of scraps laying around, I’ll have to put this on my list of “to do’s”.
Thanks for sharing them.
-- Martin, Kansas
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 97 days ago
Hi Martin;
I hope this is on the short list!
Have fun.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
jude
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147 posts in 435 days
posted 96 days ago
pretty! but i think i’d rather hang one as wall art rather than use it!
-- life can always be weaved into a song.
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 95 days ago
Hi Jude;
Glad to hear / read you’re still kicking around here. Any furniture pictures yet?
Happy Fourth on the Seventh.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
YorkshireStewart
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637 posts in 387 days
posted 95 days ago
Beautiful tools Lee; a joy to behold. I just realised I need more mallets!
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.
SteveKorz
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1335 posts in 199 days
posted 95 days ago
Those look great! I need to make a few. They look like short, fun projects that I’ll get a lot of use out of. Thanks for the post!
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5075 posts in 785 days
posted 95 days ago
Great looking mallets Lee!
This is something thats been on my list for a long time.
I’ve also been going to try a carving mallet with lead shot in it.
I have an have a list in my head from here to infinity. <;O)
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 95 days ago
Thank you YorkshireStewert;
Yeah I’m down to three, I have to make some too!
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 95 days ago
Hi Steve;
Your right they are quick fun projects that are real handy.
The one I use daily must be about 10 years old, so they do last, even with heavy use.
Enjoy;
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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2758 posts in 465 days
posted 95 days ago
Hello Dick;
I know the feeling about the list.
They’re a pleasure to make and you can be pretty creative regarding the woods used.
Maybe there should be a lumber jocks mallet challenge.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
ben
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154 posts in 356 days
posted 78 days ago
Lee,
Thanks for the inspiration. Finally got around to it:
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/8886
I bought leather, but haven’t added it yet.
-b