2012 Christmas mallet swap, what I sent.

Photos shamelessly swiped from the recipient, thanks GShepherd, since I have trouble remembering to take pics sometimes.
Both the handle and mallet are made from apple wood which I cut down in the spring and dried in my shop; taking it from tree to finished product. I chose to use this wood because; 1. it is harder then oak or maple and nearly matches hickory. 2. I have a bunch of it in the right size. 3. I love the overall look of the wood, I have some plain maple in the right size but this just looked better.

The head is made from a single piece of 3” thick apple and is roughly 2.75” thick, by 3.5” high by 5” long if I remember correctly. The head has a taper on both the faces and sides with the top rounded over from face to face. A camber was put on all the edges using a stanley 220 to cut down on its denting other woods.

The handle was taken from the next board up, the goal was to try and have the grain match which comes through in the shades of the wood. The handle was offset turned and with a 7/8” round tenon left at the top. Since the handle could only be inserted half way into the head by hand with a great deal of effort it was felt that TB3 would be sufficient to hold it together though a clamp was needed to push it through. Although not visible the tenon does protrude slightly from the top, thought of making it flush with the sanding disc but just liked the look.

This was the first attempt at a mallet of this type and overall I feel it turned out well. Depending on what I received I may make another.

-- --Rev. Russ in NY-- A posse ad esse