Prince Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Hey folks, found this site a few days ago and would like to hop in on the bandwagon of knowledge you've got going here if I may. I'll introduce myself later but first I was wondering if I may be enlightened on a few things. Firstly, a mallet/maul... I have a couple of rawhide mallets from tandy, one of which is light weight (I hate it) and a heavier one which I guess is weighted a bit, not sure what weight it is but I only know of 2 from tandy so its those two. The heavier one suits me better than the light one but thats not saying much because most of the time it feels like its still too light, especially when trying to smash through some 12oz+ with a end punch or what not. Moreover, while I'd like to find a funny analogy for it, simply put, it looks like mush, its beaten to hell and back. So long story short, I need a new whacking stick. Ive seen the $$$$$$ Al Stohlman maul things which look kind of hard to control ( I read a couple threads already here about users experience) I'm not opposed to giving mauls a shot, but I'm willing to bet I'd be better off with a mallet. And some of those too are $$$$$ for the nice looking ones I've seen. $$$ doesn't always translate to quality though. So I guess what I'm asking is if anyone knows of a good quality and good priced mallets out there I could buy online or if any of you maybe have a decent used one for sale. I'm getting ready for an intense production run to make some really cool stuff and would like to get one pretty quick. Also, if by recommendations of the learned ones (you guys), that you do in fact get what you pay for, and suggest I should spend the $ for a good name, I would probably give it a shot. No point cheaping out on probably the most used tool. As for weight, I'm looking for something a fair bit heavier than the Tandy rawhide ones. So, any guidance? I'm all ears : ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Hi Azmal you could sand the mallet down and dril a hole in the top and fill it with lead to give it more weight and save bucks buying a new one, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Ellis Report post Posted July 12, 2007 The choice between mallet and maul is one of comfort and personal preference. I'm not much of a fan of mallets for either leather or wood carving. I prefer mauls. The maul I use for my leatherwork is one I bought for woodcarving. My point being, you might want to look a bit further afield than just "leather working tools" and that among the tools used for woodcarving there's a good chance of finding a pounding thing that you'll like. the market for woodworking tools is bigger than that for leather tools, so the choices and prices can be a bit better. Which Ren Fairs do you do ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Azmal, First of all, welcome to Leatherworker.net. Regarding a heavier and more durable mallet, I'd suggest you try Hide Crafter. On page 40 of their catalog, they have Garland poly mallets. I purchased the 14 oz. model from a distributor, and it's wonderful -- a good bit heavier than what Tandy offers. And the 19 oz. is a brute, carrying most of its weight in the head. Best of all, these will last forever and cost less than $20. I really like the one I have. Good luck, -Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roger Report post Posted July 12, 2007 i have come to prefer a maul over a mallet. hide crafter has some good ones at good prices or you can order a barry king maul or mallet. i am going to pick one of his up shorlty. the maul i use for everything is about 23oz's and was made by norman lynds. it has a walnut handle and the head i beleave is hdpe (plastic). i could not imagine using anything lighter anymore Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
william Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Azmal I like and use the Garland Rawhide hammer, not sure on the weight as ive worn down the label. But they are nice and feal good in the hand. But also I do more soft tooling than hard pounding. Try http://www.garlandmfg.com/mallets/rawhide.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Hi Azmal, From what you are describing, you want a hammer. Go to Sears or the hardware store and get one of the double ended ones with replacable (though you won't wear them out soon) plastic, composite, or even metal tips. You don't have to have a fancy maul to whack a punch and if the hammer surface is softer than the punch, you won't mushroom the top. Now for mauls, I use a 16oz for stamping, a 22 oz sometimes, and a big four pounder for persuading stuff to move. Don't get a dead blow hammer (the ones with shot in them), I just haven't found them to work better than a regular one at lighter weights. As far as mallet/maul, I can use either but for lighter weights (16oz or so) the maul seems to work better for me when stamping. Art Hey folks, found this site a few days ago and would like to hop in on the bandwagon of knowledge you've got going here if I may. I'll introduce myself later but first I was wondering if I may be enlightened on a few things.Firstly, a mallet/maul... I have a couple of rawhide mallets from tandy, one of which is light weight (I hate it) and a heavier one which I guess is weighted a bit, not sure what weight it is but I only know of 2 from tandy so its those two. The heavier one suits me better than the light one but thats not saying much because most of the time it feels like its still too light, especially when trying to smash through some 12oz+ with a end punch or what not. Moreover, while I'd like to find a funny analogy for it, simply put, it looks like mush, its beaten to hell and back. So long story short, I need a new whacking stick. Ive seen the $$$$$$ Al Stohlman maul things which look kind of hard to control ( I read a couple threads already here about users experience) I'm not opposed to giving mauls a shot, but I'm willing to bet I'd be better off with a mallet. And some of those too are $$$$$ for the nice looking ones I've seen. $$$ doesn't always translate to quality though. So I guess what I'm asking is if anyone knows of a good quality and good priced mallets out there I could buy online or if any of you maybe have a decent used one for sale. I'm getting ready for an intense production run to make some really cool stuff and would like to get one pretty quick. Also, if by recommendations of the learned ones (you guys), that you do in fact get what you pay for, and suggest I should spend the $ for a good name, I would probably give it a shot. No point cheaping out on probably the most used tool. As for weight, I'm looking for something a fair bit heavier than the Tandy rawhide ones. So, any guidance? I'm all ears : ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prince Report post Posted July 12, 2007 That was quick. Thanks for the tips. I'll take everything into consideration and figure out what I'm getting. Thanks again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prince Report post Posted July 12, 2007 Oh and I have worked the Texas Renaissance Festival, and the Arizona Ren Fest. That was when I was working with my mentor but I'm on my own now so I expect I'll stay online for a while. I'll have college soon and no way I can pull working to get ready for a fair with school going on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolvenstien Report post Posted July 12, 2007 when you said it looks like mush... did you mean the leather looked like mush or the mallet? If the leather looked like mush you need to sharpen your punches. I would wager that the punch is dull and is not cutting through the leather when being hit with the mallet.... a sharp punch does not need to be driven through the leather, just tapped... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prince Report post Posted July 13, 2007 I agree with that but I don't have a grinder right now. My mentor had the god of all belt sanders, a giant burr king that they dont make any more. Man I miss that thing ;'( A good belt sander is expensive and since I want to pursue knife making I'm saving up or holding off rather, for a good one, eventually though... I'll just try to file it or something. I imagine its a bit dull Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted June 24, 2010 You can sharpen you punches with a regular whet stone in a few minutes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Somawas Report post Posted June 24, 2010 For mallets, Garland. http://www.garlandmfg.com/mallets/products.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted June 25, 2010 (edited) Wacking Stick ? i refer to mine as a Strikeing Stick. I got it at the Hardware Store. they had plenty of Hickory Hammer Handles. works perfect for Beveling and background work O M G. why am i replying to a 3year old topic :brainbleach: Edited June 25, 2010 by Luke Hatley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted June 25, 2010 All i can say Luke is i didn't start it...LOL It was on the new content page when i seen it. Not sure how or why it was there. Plus i never lok at the dates. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
