mallets & mauls

[GampasShop]

Ok, since the beginning I have always used the mallet that came with the "Deluxe" Tandy set from the early 70's. I have been thinking of a maul. Most that you see in the catalogs are 1, 2, or 3#. I am thinking why would you need a heavy maul for your tooling needs? Main reason I ask is I am going to turn one down on my wood lathe this weekend out of Locust or Osage Orange (maybe both). Am thinking I will turn down to a size I feel comfortable with and if not heavy enough I can drill a hole in the end and add some lead shot to give it more weight.

[bruce johnson]

I use my heavy maul for setting rivets, driving punches, and that sort of thing. I use my 2# maul for the bigger block stamps. Most of my stamping is with a 1# maul, and the bigger baskets and medium blocks with a 1-1/2# maul. I could probably justify a 12 oz maul at some point.

[CitizenKate]

I have a set of mauls of different weights for different functions.

The small ones I use for beveling and stamping tools with very small footprints. (I believe my beveling has improved because I can just let the tool fall on the stamp to get the right depth, and don't have to work as hard to control the drop.) The medium one I use for beveling with a wider bevel stamp and stamps with medium-sized footprints. The large one (which is about 20 oz) I use with larger stamps, like borders and basketweaves, or anything I want to make a deep impression. And I have a MONDO maul (that is 6lbs) for very large stamps, like my maker stamps.

Mauls work much better for me than mallets. I was starting to have repetitive motion issues in my striking arm, and switching to mauls reduced the stress in my arm significantly.

Kate

Edited September 1, 2007 by CitizenKate

[GampasShop]

Ok, thanks for the replies, I couldn't figure out why a person would need a heavy maul for general tooling. Will turn them down this weekend and see how it works. If I can figure out the pic posting will have pics early next week.

[ClayB]

I have a set of mauls of different weights for different functions.

And I have a MONDO maul (that is 6lbs) for very large stamps, like my maker stamps.

Hey Dave,

If anyone starts picking on that poor little guy with Sweet Tater on his bike seat, tell him to call up Kate. She can take care of all the bullies with that 6 lb maul of hers!

Clay

[CitizenKate]

Roight!

... that is, if I can lift it that high.

Kate

Edited September 2, 2007 by CitizenKate

[Romey]

I got some forging hammers in the smithy i could warp with rawhide and send you if you need :biggrin:

[GampasShop]

I had turned these down shortly after the post above and forgot all about taking pics of them. Maul Pics

Also have a larger 12 oz. Osage Orange (Hedge) but it didn't want to load into my album. I used these on my clutch purse project and for small tools like the #104 backgrounder the 8 oz worked great.

[steveb]

i like mauls much better than mallets for the work that i do - and own 2 jueschke mauls - a light one and a heavy one. use the light one for bevelling and small stamps - use the big one for rivets and larger stamps that need a little more juice.

steveb

[SmilinJim]

Okay, let's show my ignorance. A mallet or hammer has a flat striking surface. A maul is rounded. It would seem you would have more control striking a tool with the flat surface. Can someone explain a little more. I've never used a maul of any type. In my dad's shop, way back in prehistoric times, there were several mauls but most were very large (two handed).

Jim