Thread: Building a mallet on a cold day

Nice, a simple tool done very well.

I really like it.
But I would be concerned about the handle design near the head.
And I'm really hoping you prove me wrong and it lasts a life time or more.
Cheers Matt

I use these mallets for model building so don't get the work out of most but wish I would have seen this video before I made it, might have changed it around a little bit.
Some really good info on mallets and dead blow mallets.

Those look good for the tap-tap-tap assembly of small parts.
How do they feel when you choke up on the handle to hold the head for the delicate blows?

Some rather imaginative work, & very nicely executed, htl.
I've sometimes been tempted to tart a mallet up, but they are by nature a 'consumable', so in the end, 'practical' has always trumped 'pretty'. Seeing your efforts makes me think I should make a very fancy one just to hang on the wall for show!

Cheers,

Nice, but way too much work and too complicated for me. I made one once, and didn't like using it. So, turned a dozen or so round carving mallets, various sizes, various woods. They range from very light, to very heavy, and meet all my mallet needs. I tried using a 'plan' for them, but way too much of a PITA to follow. Just shape the handle, stop the lathe, try it for fitting the hand, when it fits you're done, just that simple. But I found it best, for me anyway, to make sure the large end is flat, so you can stand it upright, and it won't roll.

Welcome to the forums Sarge.

I think the humble mallet (not so humble really) is one of those tools that is very personal. It can be like a pair of threadbare cutoff jeans or the trousers to a dinner suit: Chalk and cheese if you like. I have several mallets including carving mallets similar to yours I imagine (I can only imagine in this regard with out pix: Umm. that's a hint as we just love pictures) and a range of other shapes and styles.

What I don't have is a thoroughly ostentatious mallet. As a consequence I love the blend of timbers and the design that has stepped outside the square. Nicely done htl.

Regards
Paul

Paul
You don't have an ostentatious mallet.
Now we're can we go with this

Immmmm

Cheers Matt

Matt

I'm not sure, although I think you may have some ideas on the subject.

In fact it was Ian who suggested that "tarting" up a mallet had some appeal. Perhaps we should defer to him.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

.....In fact it was Ian who suggested that "tarting" up a mallet had some appeal. Perhaps we should defer to him. ....

That was probably a poor choice of expression - 'tarting up' implies making it garish & not very tasteful. I should've said something like 'prettying up'. Apologies to OP for any offense...

Actually, there are precedents that I'm aware of, and I'm sure they were far from the first. One of the very early FWW 'Design Books' had some prettied-up mallets in the 'tools' section. The ones I'm thinking of were not as elaborate as htl's by a good margin, however....

All good fun. Many years ago when I was living down your way, Matt, I 'tarted up' a pair of all-wooden bar clamps. They won first prize in the 'woodcrafts' section at the local show, to my complete surprise. The rules of entry were that all items entered had to be for sale, but you could take them home if no-one bought them by the end of the show. I was sure no-one would pay the price I put on them, and was confident they'd be coming home to a long & useful life with me. But some so & so went & bought them - to stick over his mantle-piece! So some day, a pair of wooden bar clamps should come on the market down there. Never mind the polished Red Gum bars and contrasting screws & handles, they were built for use & they'll be in pristine condition, so grab 'em if the price is right....
Cheers,

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Matt

I'm not sure, although I think you may have some ideas on the subject.

In fact it was Ian who suggested that "tarting" up a mallet had some appeal. Perhaps we should defer to him.

Regards
Paul

Paul
You are well aware that I in brace a traditional tools.
And would never consider making any tool not following traditional approaches or design.

And I'm very good at with excrement from Bulls

Cheers Matt

Ah yes Matt, the BS factor, but if I may be so bold your BS has a distinct pedigree to it and probably has a special stand at the Royal shows .

I think we could run with

"Mallets can be sexy!"

htl

Just on a more serious note and returning to the subject matter I made up an octagonal mallet a while back and quite like the shape. It was not fancy like yours and I have just realised I have not seen it for a while. It may have gone AWOL (that phrase is to make newcomer Sarge feel at home). I must have a concerted look for it.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Ah yes Matt, the BS factor, but if I may be so bold your BS has a distinct pedigree to it and probably has a special stand at the Royal shows .

I think we could run with

"Mallets can be sexy!"

htl

Just on a more serious note and returning to the subject matter I made up an octagonal mallet a while back and quite like the shape. It was not fancy like yours and I have just realised I have not seen it for a while. It may have gone AWOL (that phrase is to make newcomer Sarge feel at home). I must have a concerted look for it.

Regards
Paul

I'm quite lost for words
I feel humble all most [emoji3]

Pictures we want pictures.
I would love to see the pictures of some well used mallets, they show where we need to strengthen them or realize they just look good after a hard life.