Newbie Question On Mallets

[lazybum]

Hi

I'm new to leatherworking and i'm currently in the process of gathering the tools needed. The only mallets ive found so far that arn't metal are rubber mallets. May i know if this kind of mallet is suitable for leatherwork?

[terix]

Hi! I know the situation, so I made my own out of hardwood (oak) and a shaft of not so hard wood (birch), and got it well balanced to my armstrength. Then I found out about Tandy ........

Terix

[Kevin]

No, I tried one in the beginning and it absorbs the impact that should be going into your tools.

Have fun,

Kevin

[bison]

I'd check Tandy or Barry King Tools and get a mallet that's designed for what you'll be using it for. It will make your life easier and leather work so much more fun!

[lazybum]

Unfortunately there aint any of those suppliers here in my country.

I think ill look harder a wooden one.

[TTcustom]

Here is what to look for from a normal tool/ hardware store. Maybe try Right Tools on Orchard road? A rawhide or Poly mallet is the best bet for starting off with something you should be able to find at a local tool store. Good luck!

[lazybum]

Alright ill check Right Tools out.

May also ask if a poly or wooden mallet is more suitable? Right now i won't be doing a lot of tooling, mostly punching holes and setting stuff. Also, does the diameter of the head matter a lot?

Edited December 23, 2010 by lazybum

[TTcustom]

Alright ill check Right Tools out.

May also ask if a poly or wooden mallet is more suitable? Right now i won't be doing a lot of tooling, mostly punching holes and setting stuff. Also, does the diameter of the head matter a lot?

If you're going to be just punching holes and setting rivets and stuff look for something with the weight to make the task easy. I have a two pound/ one kilo maul that I use for the big jobs and then several smaller mallets for stamping. You might want to consider a poly or rawhide mallet and even the sculpture artists maul might work if it is heavy enough to do what you want to do. I was thinking to myself that there isn't a wrong choice except for a metal hammer. That would cause damage to your tools. So try whatever you have available and good luck.