What's The Best Tool For Tooling, Mall Or Mallet, What Weight?

[paprhangr]

Just done enough tooling to realize that light weight poly mallet came with the TandyBeginners kit, may not be the best. What tool do experienced recommend

[mlapaglia]

Its whatever you like. I alternate between an 11 ounce rawhide mallet and an 18 ounce maul. It depends on what I feel like at the time. I tend to use the maul more than the mallet but not all the time. Try them both and see what you like.

[KAYAK45]

I had the same situation when I started tooling. I bought a BEARMAN mall (maul?). He is here on the forum. Helps alot when the tool is as good as the work you WANT TO DO! I got the white 18 oz. first, as a general mall (maul?) and then added the 24 oz. black, a year later, as my second.

Never have regretted those purchases. Though, I have many other lessor quality tools I regret buying.!

I also know I have a great resale market here on the forum when I retire in say..100 more years. LOL.

Grandpa Kevin

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Grew up on a Garland rawhide mallet, and it feels right to me.

[Sylvia]

Sledge hammer? <giggles>

Depends on what you like best, I think.

[Tina]

I second the Bearman mauls

I don't remeber exactly the weights (and no American style scale in the neighborhood) but one is around 10 oz, and the other around 16-18oz. Working with the right tools makes everything easier, if the are beautiful too it makes you feel like a queen (king) and indestructible *LOL*.

I have a huge wooden maul too for heavy makers mark stamping/3D stamps and similar around 3+ pounds (?)

Edited September 5, 2012 by Tina

[lightingale]

Hehe, Papr, I spent a good couple of hours yesterday researching the exact same thing!

I developed a pinched-nerve-turned-muscle-spasm in my right shoulder, and I think my tooling posture and tools contributed some to it, so I was trying to find something more ergonomic to pound with. Like you, I'm still using the yellow poly Tandy mallet that came with my first kit.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the tapered mallets of Barry King http://www.barrykingtools.com/hammermallets.htm, which I'll order when some snowbird relatives of mine go to Florida for the winter (it's MUCH cheaper to have it sent to them so they can mail it up to Canada) and there are a bunch of other BK tools on my wishlist. The one I'd like is the small one at 16oz and is about $55.

A lot of folks on this forum swear by the Beary mauls, and the consensus is that if you only get one maul, to get one that's 16oz. The Beary mauls are $75 plus shipping http://leatherburnishers.com/BearMauls.html, (and I'd probably get nailed with duties... I love living in Canada but that is one huge downside about getting specialty goods only available in the US), which makes them a tad pricey. How much of the Beary mauls' appeal are the fancy looks? They give you your choice of wood for the handles which you can even have hand carved or capped in gold tone. I really don't give a flying hoot what the tool looks like, as long as it serves me well.

My biggest concern with the mauls, is that there seems to be a smaller "sweet spot" for hitting the tool. Mallets look easier to use. I'd rather pay more attention to where I'm placing the tool than where I'm striking the maul. Any opinions on this?

[terrymac]

The value of a Bearman maul is in the material used in the head of the maul. The beauty of the wood is an added value. I, too, tooled with a Garland rawhide mallet, and used it for over 45 years. Since getting my Bearman maul, it is usually collecting dust or used for driving punches. The sweet spot is larger with the maul than with the mallet. The material Ed is using is unique, and not used by anyone else.

Terry

[Chief31794]

Started with a rawhide mallet many decades ago, converted to poly and still use them. I tried a maul but didn't like it, like someone else said, it's a personal thing. I had trouble striking my tools solidly with a maul, but that's probably because of how long I've been doing it with a mallet. My suggestion is if at all possible, try both and determine for yourself which is more comfortable and usable by you. The more comfortable and confident with whichever tool you choose the better the results will be.

Just my opinion,

Chief

[paprhangr]

Thanks everyone for good info,

[oltoot]

Just done enough tooling to realize that light weight poly mallet came with the TandyBeginners kit, may not be the best. What tool do experienced recommend

I've been at it for a long time and through that I've tried most everything. As noted, a lot of it is personal preference which accounts for the tremendous variety available. Now IMHO. I have rawhide mallets from tiny to huge and use them all occasionally, poly mauls also, but my workhorses have turned out to be 2 lb rawhide maul for general tooling, 3 lb rawhide maul for geometric and small punching and 8 lb rawhide for most punching and name stamping.

[paprhangr]

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I've been at it for a long time and through that I've tried most everything. As noted, a lot of it is personal preference which accounts for the tremendous variety available. Now IMHO. I have rawhide mallets from tiny to huge and use them all occasionally, poly mauls also, but my workhorses have turned out to be 2 lb rawhide maul for general tooling, 3 lb rawhide maul for geometric and small punching and 8 lb rawhide for most punching and name stamping.

a

Edited September 15, 2012 by paprhangr

[paprhangr]

Thanks, I got the stohlman 1lb poly maul. Improved stamping over the kit malletI can see the need to have a variety of weights, I bet that 8 pounder makes strap endHole punch easy