The Prefect Mallet

A mallet is a deeply personal thing. There are so many different mallets to fit the situations. Here are the Mallets I regularly use. I hope you can find the best mallet for you.

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[ZTTINGS]

Couldn’t help but laugh when I saw “perfection” everywhere and the title is “the PREFECT mallet”. Yeah I know I’ll get flamed but it’s the little things that lift your day lol. Interesting video by the way, thanks for the content 😉

[evanhawk]

I made 2 jointers mallet one day, in my 20's. The first was one my favorites. It was hickory or white oak. #2 I made big (from a micro laminate beam that got cut down. It as a beast. My modern 2 favorite is the opening one like you showed. & a big tough lead weighted leather. Today I used a hollow poly roller. Instead of covering end with leather, I made the 2nd style you showed. Then filled with lead

[onebackzach]

The ideal impact tool is whatever wrench, screwdriver handle, or heavy item happens to be within arm's reach.

[georgenewlands]

I have used a traditional joiners mallet for chiselling and a rubber mallet for assembly work. More recently I followed Paul Sellers recommendation of the Thorex mallet. It has a hard nylon face which delivers a lot of percussive energy to a chisel and a softer rubber face for assembly work. I really like the thorex, used like a hammer it really delivers a hefty blow but choked up it gives great control.
That said, I have some friends who are keen bowlers (the outdoor bowling green type) and I’m hoping to acquire some old bowls, traditionally made from lignum vitae, to try and make my own mallet head.

[the_attic_woodworker]

My second project (first was the workbench) has been a Paul Sellers mallett, great experience

[jscarborough]

I accidentally made a soft mallet. I was splitting firewood from a tree a neighbor cut down, and I noticed that the grain pattern was beautiful, so I made a mallet. Turns out that pepper tree wood is one of the softest hardwoods... once it's dry. (Also makes lousy firewood)

[jimr]

I've made several mallets for myself and woodworking friends. I often use exotics like purple heart or padauk. Those are both heavy and hard, . as well as attractive. Some of the folks use them as mallets for joinery and such. About half of them are displayed as art. Contrasting woods make them interesting.

[jlmfoy]

I bought the Veritas Brass carving mallet simply because it's proportions are beautiful and I love it. Sad but true 😂. Regards Jim UK.

[makenchips]

Another fun video by WBW! I enjoy his discussion that are truly honest and transparent. No hidden agenda with James! A true woodworker's friend! Gald, He has this channel! Columbus Michigan

[chestergelnett]

we use to get bowling pins and remove the plastic skin then turn it on a lathe to the shape we wanted. Also cut it down to size since it is kinda big. The inside has some type of foam for the pin action which gives a different kind of mallet.

[whittysworkshop]

My first ever project was making a joiners type had fallen in love with Bocote so I made the mallet from that, it is really hard and dense, plus it looks amazing :) I then used said mallet to move my chisels while making my second project...a bench :) Keep up the good work James and enjoy your videos :)

[pausaniasofithaca]

Hey James! I enjoyed the video. Very helpful discussion of hammers vs. mallets and the merits of various mallet designs.

I'm working on a joiner's mallet right now and I've been referring to your older joiner's mallet videos. I was lucky enough to get some Osage orange from a free firewood listing on Craigslist for the head. I'll also be taking a wood turning class soon and plan to turn a chisel mallet as well.

I definitely ascribe to the philosophy that "perfection is not a location, it's a direction, " but I've never heard it said quite so succinctly.

[johnwillis]

I keep going back to the first cheap mallet i bought when learning. Also I most often use a rubber mallet for dovetails, don't laugh until you try it. Yes you are right, my best mallets are the ones I made, my best turns out to be made from a chunky corner of a pallet, unknown wood. In UK we also have a tool called a Mel😐 often a long handled hammer either wood or more common metal. Thanks again😷

[TheBeeFactory]

My favorite joiners mallet is made out of an old piece of pine. I had made a "nicer" one out of maple and purpleheart, but it dents my work too much. The pine is old (about 150+ years) and super tight grained, so it's harder than some brand new block from the store, but soft enough not to mar my work. Like you said, some people would call me a heretic for that, but it works for me and what I do.

[Stan]

I use nearly exclusively turned mallets, initially because I'm a turner but because I'm so used to them I don't really like your typical english pattern joiners mallet. Purely a preference, but those are my perfect mallets

[MCsCreations]

Fantastic tips, James! Thanks a lot! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[johnmm]

Paul Sellers recommends a nylon mallet (chisel hammer as he calls it) 31-712R Thorex Nylon Hammer. It is nice, but the other mallets James covers here are just as dandy. And making your own mallet is a good learning exercise. And if you have your skills down - try a Lincoln Mallet.

[crazyfly]

Hey James, I would very much appreciate a video on types of wood for types of mallets. For example (I think it was Rex Kruger) someone said not to use Osage orange for a joiners mallet because the end grain will shred however it makes a neat little carving chisel that will last forever.
What woods are ideal for beetles, fro mallets etc.?

[MrAtfenn]

i will be turning a second, smaller carving mallet soon, making the 'impossible' or 'lincoln' mallet and a smaller cabinet mallet with the compression handle. always good to have the right size, shape and material for any need
plus, making mallets is fun

[scottswineford]

Somewhere I have a joiners mallet, I think I know its approximate location. My two carving mallets live at opposite ends of the tool tray on my bench. Most commonly I grab the taller one, both are 3" in diameter, the head is 4" tall and contains 6oz of lead and has an 18" long handle that fits my hand. The other is 2" tall, unweighted and has an 8" handle, used primarily with V gouges and small straight carving tools.