We have a handplane thread, a saw thread, a brace thread, and a chisel thread…it was mentioned on the chisel thread that we should have a mallet thread. I waited for someone to start it, but to no avail, so here goes!
I think that this could be an interesting thread for me at least, because I'm currently malletless, so give me some ideas! Construction, materials, store bought…lets talk mallets!
I prefer a round mallet for use with chisels. I have a few, but my favorite is a maple version that my mother gave me. She's an ex-antique collector. When she owned this tool, it was a potato masher. As soon as I took possesion, it became a mallet. LOL.
FYI- these are in virtually every antique store East of the Mississippi River, and can be had for under $5.
Got a chance to use this for the first time last night. First attempt at hand cut dovetails! First joint, cut the tails, chopped out the waste, all good. Next, cut the pins, chopped out the waste, all… oops. I chopped out the pins and left the waste. Doh! But it wasn't the mallet's fault.
Some great mallets here. I think I'm going to try and make the one Ted posted it seems to be shaped nicely for several different grip options.
However, I love Smitty's and it looks like a fun turning exercise.
Here is what I've been using. Made before having a lathe. Firewood Red Oak, inspired by Asian carving mallets I've seen. Very simple but handy, you can hold it anywhere. Roughed out with my machete and jointed with hand planes.
nwbusa, sweet mallet, I havent chopped of my pins yet but made tons of other mistakes, I bet you'll never do that again and mark out your wast next time. ;-)
The machete works, It takes the place of a Hewing hatchet and drawknife but its not the ideal tool for the job. But hey, we need excuses to whip out the machete, just feels bad aas. LOL.
I've seen a video on youtube where Mexican carvers us a short fat machete to rough out their sculptures. That would be idea. I wish I had one. A standard machete is too long so the repetetive chopping its tough on your wrist
Smitty - that Stanley mallet looks huge! I need one like that to compensate for my small…hands.
Mauricio - your machete made whacker reminds me that I actually DO have a mallet! Dad made it for me when I was 10 for my leather tooling. Its just a single piece of osage orange that he shaped…I'll have to dig it out and get a pic.
Well…I have the boring, store bought Crown Tools mallet. No lathe here, so no cool turned mallets coming my way. I will probably make a square type mallet soon.
What does the panel think about those urethane wrapped mallets?
OK, I showed these before on the chisels thread.
These are what I use. The mallet came from a yardsale 15 or 20 years ago.
The little Stanley hammer came from my Moms toolbox. I use it for the fine work with really sharp chisels.
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