Carving Mallet

[Walter]

After watching carving demos at Northumbrian Woodturners in April I decided to give carving a try. Don't hold your breath for any pictures of my work, I need a lot of practice before I produce anything worth posting.
But rather than pay anything from £30 to £60 for a plain looking but good quality Pfeil hornbeam mallet or even £20 for a badly finished Narex beech one I decided to make my own from beech with a bit of decoration on the end. Just because I can.

 

[Cumbrian Craig]

It's got a bit of everything. Lovely piece.

Regards

Craig

 

[Penpal]

I like useful mallets Walter,works for me.

Peter.

 

[Dalboy]

I've got some 80 grit [MENTION=95]Walter[/MENTION] to get rid of that tool chatter on the end

Great looking mallet should see you for a good number of years I made one with LV bowling ball and separate handle just right weight for carving chisels. Look forward to seeing what you will be carving when you get around to it

 

[Walter]

I made one with LV bowling ball and separate handle just right weight for carving chisels.

Yes, if I can ever get hold of some lignum vitae I will be making a two part one too.

 

[Dalboy]

Yes, if I can ever get hold of some lignum vitae I will be making a two part one too.

So I will not tell you that I have 8 balls still left to play with

 

[sammy]

Very nice Walter, I'm having a dabble at carving so looking forward to seeing some of your work.
George

 

[yorkshireman]

Yes, if I can ever get hold of some lignum vitae I will be making a two part one too.

Old LV bowling balls go for £5-10 at our local auction Walter. I’ve got at least 10 I’ve not done owt with yet. If you want I’ll send one out to you.

 

[fortress]

That is definitely a big hit Walter, great shaping and detail, very well done.

 

[Walter]

Old LV bowling balls go for £5-10 at our local auction Walter. I’ve got at least 10 I’ve not done owt with yet. If you want I’ll send one out to you.

That’s very generous of you Keith but you must let me pay you for it. I will PM you.

 

[21William]

Have you seen this Walter, a carvers mallet from waste plastic.

Damascus Mallet from plastic bottles - YouTube

These type of mallets always seem to be turned to a slight angle on the head. I wonder if there’s an optimum amount for this?

 

[wm460]

Very nicely done Walter.

 

[Walter]

Have you seen this Walter, a carvers mallet from waste plastic.

These type of mallets always seem to be turned to a slight angle on the head. I wonder if there’s an optimum amount for this?

I have seen other things made from recycled plastic but never a mallet. Interesting idea.

The angle is to ensure that the mallet head hits the tool square on. I suppose the optimum angle depends on a number of factors such as arm length and tool size but I am no expert.

 

[Lons]

The most comfortable and controllable way to use a normal size carving mallet, unless you're knocking great lumps out of the wood, is with the head of the mallet in the palm of your hand. You just tap the end of the chisel to make the cut.

The HDPE works very well but you need a VERY understanding wife or an oven you can use in the garden as it absolutely stinks, don't ask how I know that!

 

[Dalboy]

The HDPE works very well but you need a VERY understanding wife or an oven you can use in the garden as it absolutely stinks, don't ask how I know that!

OK Bob I will ask "How do you know that"

 

[Lons]

let's just say that my sizeable collection of milk bottle tops subsequently given away Derek.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A nice job Walter. Nice of Keith to offer a LVbowling ball.

 

[AllenN]

Very nice Walter.

 

[Phil Dart]

Nicely done Walter. Much better conceived than the one I made for Ria several years ago, which lies unbruised along with the complete set of brand new Asley Isles chisels that so far have never required sharpening. Note to self - don't take wife to woodworking shows in future - perversely it's cheaper.