Members Fonzarellis Posted March 6, 2015 Members Report Posted March 6, 2015 I want to make my own mallets or mauls and was considering perhaps a cylindrical chunk of nylon like a big bushing is made from. Anyone have any other ideas or a source perhaps. Surely this has been done before. Just can't bring myself to drop the cash for a 'store bought' one. Quote
Members zuludog Posted March 6, 2015 Members Report Posted March 6, 2015 I also thought a bought mallet was rather a lot of money, and was about to make my own, but found a hide mallet in an arts & crafts shop sale, at a fraction of the price from a leathercraft supplier For my mallet I was thinking of a head from a piece of sycamore, scrounged from the tree surgeons when they were working at a local park, and faced with 1/2" dense polythene (?) from an old kitchen chopping board. I would attach it with some small (long but narrow) countersunk screws around the circumference of the faces The handle was to be made from an old chair leg Quote
Members Gump Posted March 6, 2015 Members Report Posted March 6, 2015 Check around for a plastics/polymer supplier and ask for 'ultra high molecular weight' UHMW poly. It is used by stone masons to make their mauls, as it doesn't mushroom over the ends of chisels. I bought 2ft of 2" dia. for $12. It drills easily and can be cut with a hand saw or any wood cutting power tool. Quote
Members Tokarsky Posted March 6, 2015 Members Report Posted March 6, 2015 I'm about to check the scraps wood bin at my work for a 4x4 post scrap, affix a handle... boom, Mjölnir! Quote
Members Nuttish Posted March 10, 2015 Members Report Posted March 10, 2015 I made mine on an engine lathe with a 4" rod of HDPE from McMaster-Carr. Quote
Members TinkerTailor Posted March 11, 2015 Members Report Posted March 11, 2015 There are videos on YouTube which show how to melt down and recycle milk jugs into a mallet head in a toaster oven looked like it worked and couldn't be cheaper. Will post link later Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members Nuttish Posted March 11, 2015 Members Report Posted March 11, 2015 I made a whacking stick for $20 in 30 minutes. Works good. Time is worth more than melting milk jugs for poor quality plastic. Quote
Members TinkerTailor Posted March 11, 2015 Members Report Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyP7YJ9O3TY Milk jugs are made of hdpe.........blown up like a balloon. Cut into little pieces, melt in toaster oven for a while and then push into the mold shape of your choice. Watch the video. I was a sceptic as well...Plus, no engine lathe needed.......Filing/sanding that taper by hand will definitely take longer than recycling some perfectly acceptable plastic. Edited March 11, 2015 by TinkerTailor Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members TinkerTailor Posted March 11, 2015 Members Report Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyP7YJ9O3TY Milk jugs are made of hdpe.........blown up like a balloon. Cut into little pieces, melt in toaster oven for a while and then push into the mold shape of your choice. Watch the video. I was a sceptic as well... Plus, no engine lathe needed.......Filing/sanding that taper by hand will definitely take longer than recycling some perfectly acceptable plastic. I have also heard of using the nylon rollers/wheels that are on the front of pallet jacks. Try a forklift supply place for the wheels. they are just under 3" around and 4" long with a 1 inch hole. I think that leaving the bearings in would add weight and allow a smaller handle shaft. Just fill up the bearings with epoxy to stop them from moving when you beat on stuff. http://www.ebay.com/itm/PALLET-JACK-LOAD-WHEELS-3-5-8-LONG-X-2-7-8-DIAMETER-/181608594847 Edited March 11, 2015 by TinkerTailor Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members Ole South Posted March 11, 2015 Members Report Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) www.amazon.com/Wooden-Leathercraft-Carving-Leather-Cowhide/dp/B00PY24OQKwww.ebay.com/itm/Strengthen-PE-Wooden-Material-Leather-Cutting-Hammer-Craft-Stamping-Tools-Set-/121585628994www.ebay.com/itm/Leather-Stamping-DIY-Tools-Set-Craft-Tool-For-Leather-Cutting-Tools-Hammer-US/141495177407?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28772%26meid%3D2bf4876311c24d728c82f11951ab40cd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D121585628994&rt=ncThe wooden handled ones are 14-15oz. The aluminum handles are about a pound (I've seen these for $12 + free shipping). I was thinking of getting a wooden one and filling it with lead shot. Deadblow mallet heh. Edited March 11, 2015 by Ole South Quote
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