Small Wooden Mallet

[Mikegtr]

I am looking to buy a small wooden mallet to use on small chisels. A mallet with a hardwood head. I currently have a mallet--12 1/4" length which is to big for for small work. Can you recommend anything shorter?

 

[MARK.B.]

Could you have a go at making your own custom sized mallet yourself,not really hard to make one and you get exactly the size/shape and weight to suit your needs

 

[Orraloon]

Good advice above. I really cant see why any woodworker needs to buy a mallet. Fair enough when you are first starting out and I admit I bought one to start with. After a few years I was finding it a bit limiting but really not much else I could buy so just made one. After the first one then you get to thinking one does not cover all tasks so its a mallet for this and a mallet for that and then a plane setting hammer and the list goes on. Plenty youtube stuff on making them but the basic traditional tapered handle mallet is a good place to start.
How to make a Joiners Mallet (part 1) | Paul Sellers - YouTube
Regards
John

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Even easier if you have a lathe. Turn the handle with the end on three centres (turn a tenon on centre) and drill the hole in the head.

 

[Jacob]

Google "round beech mallet" there are 100s of them. From £10 upwards.
Make your own is a good idea but not if you don't have a lump of beech lying around. Then it's cheaper to buy one.

 

[TheUnicorn]

I made one based on rex krugers youtube vid, a big heavy head, more angle than normal and a short handle, meaning that all the movement is from the wrist

 

[Mikegtr]

Good advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It's easier with a lathe.

 

[Jameshow]

A small lump of hardwood and a off cut of broom handle and you good to go.

I must have a go at making one sometime!

I have a medium sized one and a heavy one for mortices.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A fairly large mallet with piece of broomstick for a handle will hurt your wrist - you need something like ash or hickory.

 

[Dave65]

Just bought one of these £20 delivered for a large one.

 

[Dave65]

Looks like they sold out !!!

 

[eribaMotters]

After sorting out my camping gear a couple of years ago I put a rubber headed awning peg mallet to one side. I'm surprised how many times I've picked it up as the correct tool for the job.

Colin

 

[Jameshow]

A fairly large mallet with piece of broomstick for a handle will hurt your wrist - you need something like ash or hickory.

Small.....

 

[steve355]

I turned one a few weeks ago from a log in my firewood store. took. 5 mins and cost £0. It’s pretty terrible looking ,but works nicely. I will make a nice one out of boxwood shortly.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I laminated one from 18mm ply years ago. Not pretty, and you wouldn't want to use it for chopping mortices but for many years it bashed things into the ground, beat paint tin lids on and did a whole load of general wrecking. £0.

 

[thetyreman]

using a knotty piece of hardwood is a smashing idea, it tends to be harder.

 

[thetyreman]

 

[Jacob]

I turned one a few weeks ago from a log in my firewood store. took. 5 mins and cost £0. It’s pretty terrible looking ,but works nicely. I will make a nice one out of boxwood shortly.

View attachment 153450

Have a done a few similar myself - with a bit more finish though!
One piece turned mallet doesn't need a separate handle, which reduces the work by 90%.
I've given some away to camping friends as they are handy for tent pegs.

 

[mi2021]

When you need to make sharp precision cuts with carving tools not designed to be hit with a mallet I have found a palm mallet is the best tool my favourite is made of African ebony it just fits in the palm of your hand gives enough force to make a cut and has never damaged a tool handle yet the top has a small groove for your index finger to rest in