The Glove Woodworking Mallet

Step by step process on how I make my thumb-slot woodworking mallet for fine detail work. This how to video shows how to make a basic woodworking mallet, and then turn it into a comfortable detail mallet for intricate work.
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Some items used in this video and others:
Power carving burrs: amzn.to/37PeaLf
Micro Mesh pads: amzn.to/2SjO1hC
Titebond 3 wood glue: amzn.to/2Y3TuOJ
Makita belt sander: amzn.to/2Slu9KR
Festool Sander: amzn.to/2JP5kDp
Glue tray and brush: amzn.to/2XWoCff
CA glue and activator: amzn.to/2JOppJN
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[@markdmaker3173]

Nicely done. I am a woodcarver and I see great value in this.

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s awesome to hear!

[@glebprokudin2000]

Looks great, but why rounded woking plane though? You just made it harder for yourself to hit the chisel, cuz if you're not hitting dead center, the mallet will slip

[@GlobalProsperityGroup]

@@glebprokudin2000 If you watch him use it, it is slipping a bunch. I was thinking the same thing. It is rounded a bit too much.

[@kz.irudimen]

@@glebprokudin2000 Dovetailing mallet are often entirely round, they're not hammers to hit nails. You don't have to hit dead center, at all.

[@MichaelMantion]

Really great video, I liked the voice over instead of the annoying background music so many creators are adding to videos.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks. I hate that music too.

[@Perspari]

Strongly agree :)

[@gerribrousseau8620]

This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection kzbin.infoUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.

[@BlacktailStudio]

2x4x9, pt for the base plate

[@josephbrauer2573]

This kind of innovation is why I still go through KZbin videos . Thanks for sharing this one . excellent Idea .

[@justin1911]

Clicked because of the beautiful mallet in the thumbnail, stayed (and replayed) for the straightforward informative tips and shoptalk.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I appreciate that Justin!

[@RootedInThePastWoodworking]

Yup...This mallet is now on my "to do" list! : ) I love your artistry in this piece.

[@d.k.1394]

It is lovely though I feel the copper pipe could of been the next size smaller.

[@mkbcoolman]

Absolute work of art. I've been planning to make a few more mallets in the near future. I built my first one a while back just using some scraps of oak and walnut. I laminated the handle so the walnut is running down the center of the handle, then I also used walnut for the wedges. It's not the prettiest thing ever, but man has it held up really well even if it hasn't been the greatest of designs. It will always have a spot in my shop for simple nostalgia. My local hardwood store had a few scraps of wenge last time I was in there...I wish I had picked it up. Hopefully they'll still have some next time I stop by...that would make for a great mallet with some hard maple I already have.

[@chriskeeble]

Apologies if others have suggested this already (hundreds of comments to check) - but if you created mallet faces on both sides of the head, you could swivel the mallet and use it with or without the thumb stock grip, depending on the angle of use. Love this project - definitely going to take some of your tips and techniques and have a go. Thank you for the video.

[@stephanjuvik6266]

To add to this I've seen mallets with an angled face, which might be used for the down chiseling. I'm not a woodworker, so I'm not sure, but I imagine that could help on the ergonomics.

[@Tammc09]

I feel like he could just hold it normally too if working vertically, no need to swivel.

[@chrisweigand1817]

I am blown away at how much knowledge you have about woodworking. Mallets are amazing!

[@petermccuskey1832]

Beautiful craftmanship , as a custom gunsmith I really appreciate the amount of hand work involved in this process.

[@christofix]

this mallet is just awsome. the details on it, the colors, everything is just perfect! well done man

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks man!

[@christofix]

@@BlacktailStudio you are welcome, again congratulations on this one!

[@ferenchackfelner8784]

Wonderful..I would never dare to beat with it some rough thing...

[@seanlathbury5410]

I’ve got my great grandfather’s mallet….round and made from Lignumvitae. Great feel and sentimental too :)

[@robboss1839]

That doesn’t look like it’ll break your thumb. Beautiful craftsmanship and looks like it offers lovely control over that fine work.

[@Taugeshtu]

+1 and a heartfelt "thank you" for showing off different grits of micromesh!

[@thomaskila3801]

I appreciate when craftsmen make their tools their own! Great job and beautiful mallet!

[@chriscmoor]

Beautiful work and an absolutely gorgeous tool. My preferred woods for mallet heads are persimmon and hop hornbeam (sometimes called musclewood or ironwood). Both are wicked hard, so make sure your tools are nice and sharp. For handles, I like either hickory or ash. No particular reason, just what I grew up using. BTW, persimmon takes aniline dyes really well and can be dyed jet black to mimic African ebony. The hornbeam might, too, but I just like its natural creamy color, especially when finished with beeswax.

[@mnemonyss]

I think that wood you made the mallet with is gorgeous! I really love the design touches!

[@pmdinaz]

So glad i found your channel last week. Different perspectives and design with intent and purpose. Using the different finishes helps build the mental library of what can be used on different species of wood. Also, finding different species. I was a flooring contractor full time for 12 years and really loved installing hardwood flooring. It too exposed me to multiple different woods that i carry in my beginning hobby as a wood worker some years later. Thanks again for sharing.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Awesome, thanks!

[@matthewrollins9719]

Love the design and the details of the build! Making my first mallet out of Cedar Elm from my backyard.

[@herbwoodworks]

I’ve found my favorite wood for mallets, granted I make joiners mallets, is marblewood. It’s beautiful but also extremely dense and durable. Gives a nice weight to the head of the mallet and holds up to use.

[@timwhitemedic]

Brilliant sir. I am left handed myself and I plan on making my own custom mallet using your video as inspiration. Thank you very much. Excellent work.

[@samuelroberts334]

Very beautiful Mallet! Great job!

[@Bootes1]

Wow, now that is some mallet. I've just finish making a carving mallet. I can't afford any fancy machines, lathe, belt-sander etc, no fancy wood just some scrapes of oak I found laying around at the back of my shed/workshop, so it was just rasps and sand-paper. I think it turned out ok because I made it. Love watching your Tubes, you make some incredible items.

[@mikecalhoun8497]

I love the shape of the handle, and as I'm getting arthritics in my thumbs I'm going to have to make on of these. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Excellent!

[@tjkoker]

Outstanding video. Very informative. I was able to create the mallet in about a week. You made it very easy. Thank you again.

[@rodw]

Very nicely done !! I'm brand new to woodworking and this was Great to watch. I have the confidence now to make a basic one. I look forward to making a more advanced one as I gain experience. Thanks for sharing your talent and videos, Rodney

[@BlacktailStudio]

Awesome!

[@orkpotatolord7039]

A little late to the party here on making mallets but I’m working on making a dove tail mallet out of ebony right now this video actually helped a lot because I’m trying to figure out the best way to bind these 2 pieces of ebony together the best.

[@hypnolobster]

Katalox is such a cool wood. Love seeing more people use it.

[@mrwoodwork5097]

Beautiful design! I made my mallet out of wenge and maple, and I love the way it came out

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s a good combo right there

[@randygust3423]

Curious if after some use, if you found wenge to be hard enough for a mallet?

[@PPMOCRG]

That’s a beautiful mallet! I love the ergonomic design. My last mallet was made of Osage Orange with Red Oak handle.

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s some hard wood!

[@nathancarr1690]

Great work .. and I love the wedges. It is a cool accent and great way to tighten rather than fitting it perfectly in the hole it goes in (the mallet head).

[@kcoolworld]

I bought that Japanese carving knife. Love it. Great for tracing a stencil. Every video I watch it see another tool I need.

[@BlacktailStudio]

I’ll keep em coming!

[@dawabbitt3079]

One of the best videos I've seen on hand-crafting a woodworking tool!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh wow, thanks for saying so !

[@dawabbitt3079]

@@BlacktailStudio - You're welcome! The (many) reasons 'why' I think it's one of the best (if not 'THE' best) is because (1) Your voice isn't annoying to listen to. Some KZbinrs are just WAY too animated. Some struggle with basic speech. Some just have an annoying tone. (2) You not only walk us through the build process, but you explain 'WHY' you are doing things a certain way. (3) Through your narration and sometimes through your videography, you tell / show us the dimensions / angles you cut the blanks to before glue-up. (4) Speaking of videography, I'd give yours (on a scale of 1-10) a definite '10' ! - The lighting , clarity and close-ups were REALLY good. Anyway - Your video was not only exceptionally well done, but it was also 'therapeutic', not only to watch, but to listen to, as well... I subscribed to your channel after watching only this one video AND rang that bell, for notifications. Please keep up the great work, as I look forward to watching more of your builds. EDIT: Typos

[@BlacktailStudio]

Da Wabbitt man, I appreciate the feedback! It’s all done on my iPhone, but working on stepping up to the DSLR game though. And I try and keep it tolerable. I’m not a fan of the too animated hosts either.

[@ehengle]

For no particular reason, I like your design. Nicely done!

[@fernandochavez4312]

Beautiful work of art to make art with.👍

[@mikehomner4724]

Beautiful work, in a word superb!

[@freomoodfly]

It’s a work of art, who would have thought that a piece of equipment as egalitarian as a mallet could be so beautiful!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Really appreciate that!

[@KeithChastain-YouGotKeith]

That's fantastic! Exactly the kind of mallet I was looking for but didn't know it. And I love that wood I think it's beautiful

[@MultiTom1956]

Beautiful mallet, beautiful tools and beautifully explained 😊Thank you for the tutorial.

[@BlacktailStudio]

My pleasure!

[@stevenromero3750]

Hey Cam, great inspiration. I made my first yesterday, happy to report it didn’t fall apart! Love the circle brass inlays you have on your other designs and wondering how you did those... keep up the good work!

[@markhedquist9597]

Wow! That is a beautiful mallet!

[@lorenzodelacruz1887]

Great show. Thanks for the info and the beautiful mallet. I might hang it on the wall, but it is obviously functional. The thumb slot must help stabilize your strikes.

[@nickgreenwood2854]

I turned a mallet from a sycamore log using the same shape for the handle as you have. It was very light and could easily crack in half. So I soaked it in genuine turpentine and linseed oil untill it wouldn't absorb any more, it took over a week. Once it had dried it worked perfectly, great weight, great durability. I have hit stuff so hard with it, lost my temper, that it hurt my shoulder, and it still held up. It was forty years ago that I made it and its still serving me well. The thing is with a round mallet, every time you use it you don’t worry if you have the thing held correctly, with the face lined up, it always is, 360 deg.

[@carlf4275]

Awesome design and excellent work. I really like that copper inlay as well.

[@jasonnmoore12]

Glad you made this video. Saw one of these on your Instagram and have been wanting to make one. Great video

[@johngrigsby5905]

Awesome mallet, sir! I'm in TN and made one (not nearly as amazing as yours) out of white oak from an old 1700's barn...needless to say, it was so hard that I had to sharpen every blade I used afterwards. Oak is not the most exotic looking wood out there, but old barns are much easier to come by down here than a Goby store ;)

[@brandonpatton4776]

White oak can be beautiful depends on the grain. I made my sister a cake Turner out of some and it had a burl look to it. I sanded it to a high grit and a fee coats of beeswax turned out beautiful

[@sjsmith801]

I think that wood is superb looking. Great job.

[@Timber2Toothpicks]

I know I am outside the lines… I watched your mallet video. Back in the day when I was in carpenter school I was grinding out thumb notches in my framing hammers. The OGs made fun of me. Then I bought two of them top of the line Vaughan hammers. I hogged out flat spots where their thumbs went. Then I glued it larger pieces of wood. Then I used my chisels and an old Craftsman drill with a heavy grit paper on a dowel that I made. I finished it off using leather stamp/punches for texture. They LOVED it. The thumb notch controlled where the strike was going to fall. It kept the hammer from rolling in a sweaty palm. You also did not need to grip your hammer as tightly.This is when a journeyman carpenter had to drive a #16 Green CC Sinker in three strikes. I was thrilled to see someone still using a trick of the trade. This was after the dinosaurs…..

[@ianthomas3653]

This is so well done, and such a great idea. I use a Maul for my leather working, and you just gave me an awesome idea for a modified version of that. 90% of the time i just hold the barrel of the maul anyways, but why not make one thats ergonomic, and has a shortened handle.

[@FDdesigns]

Thank you for the inspiration and recommendations. I didn’t take the step to add tape prior to epoxy, but I did add a golden metallic powder to blend the wood tones

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks frank!

[@FDdesigns]

@@BlacktailStudio would like to show my work but not sure how?

[@alexdroban4312]

Very nice. I really like this unique design. I’m going to try this for my own use. Beautiful. 👍🏻

[@QuercusMcFercus]

Really beautiful. Thank you for posting this.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks for saying so Patrick!

[@hurricaneidaclips7928]

Hey brother @BlacktailStudio. You do some amazing work! I learned so much from watching your videos. I'm not new to woodworking but new to fine finishing. Everything is so in depth and thorough. I haven't had the chance to apply it yet but very soon I will. Thanks for the quality videos. Keep'em coming my man. Be safe.

[@lorencing]

Beautiful piece of tooling and amazing choice of wood.

[@edboggs4066]

Very nice work, now I will need to make at least one. I will try using Iron wood for the mallet and Walnut for the handle. Love your video's , you have shown me some new tricks.

[@WARinMYhead1]

gorgeous work! I really loved the look of the head sanded down to that fine of a grit. I can definitely see the temptation to not add any finish! nice touch with the pipe in the handle too!

[@situationsltd7885]

I’ve never built one but I have 3 mallets and I dug out a thumb hole in my small and medium ones like twenty years ago. I like to slap it on the chisel sometimes in a more sideways motion and it gives you that control. Cool to see this as I thought I was just weird. Also, I paint airplanes for a living and use that paper and after 5000 it actually starts buffing the poly lol Cool video and maybe I’ll build a nice looking mallet now.

[@shawngummoe195]

Damn brother, I've made a few mallets well, and I actually love the process. Or processes. There are so many ways to make them and it's so awesome that you threw in the thumb gouge. I've thought about doing that to mine as well. Beautiful job brother, very well done, as is all your work! God bless!!

[@karl_alan]

I have only used one mallet...one I made out of myrtlewood, with an olivewood handle. I really like that it is a bit softer and has some give, but as I said, I don't have much to compare it to.

[@johnjude2685]

Great DIY Sir Love not having the saw on super Loud unlike too many videos of shop videos of which needs , Yeah you did great work with the audio and information and a nice build. I did build a long handle oak malded that much as yours and holding up well and I did love yours and I do some chisel work with wood and the stort handle would give more control than any other. Thanks for teaching Sir

[@egbluesuede1220]

I also use Katalox for mallets for the same reasons. It's super hard and I polish it up to a high grit too. I didn't put a finish on mine, but I'm a big Odies fan, so I'll try that. I do like the thumb indent, which is something I never thought to try. Really nice looking mallet, and I consider myself a mallet freak!

[@MintStiles]

Whao!!! That's actually... Brilliant. Who'd thought to improve an age old tool with ingenuity that may be arguably timeless!

[@augustingarnier4625]

It's gorgeous! Bravo!

[@funnyriverred2501]

turned out awesome, unique and functional!

[@glen1arthur]

That is a great mallet. any Woodworker, mason, or fellowcraft would be proud to make one and use it. Any F&AM would be proud to own one. ; )

[@johnnyvirginia922]

I’m totally stoked to throw my festool into a vice and use it like that..your so right on haven’t lived yet till you try it.. thanks for the tip Cam!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Cheers Johnny!

[@harmonysmuse9681]

Just be careful not to pinch any moving parts. I killed a hand-held belt sander with a vise. Turned out the only flat faces pushed right on the end of bearings.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Beautiful work and the thumb idea is a very good idea, I made one for the forefinger on a smaller mallet for more detailed work (many use a round mallet but this one works and feels great using it)....

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh that makes sense. And thanks!

[@lukearts2954]

Nice looking piece! If people encounter problems with finish not binding to such high grits, I found that metal working finishes do a great job there... I nearly always finish my wood stuff up to 10k-15k, often leave it blank (because it won't absorb any dust or dirt either), but when I need it to be water-resistant (or proof), I'll use either raw linseed oil or car clear-coating. Never had any issues :)

[@ejl74]

Awesome little project. I’m definitely going to Make one of these. I have to agree, routers definitely scare me.

[@MeenakshiRaman1]

Incredible work Sam 👏🏽

[@marksandford1522]

Amazing work and a great idea. Well done. I’ll make one of these for sculpting.

[@johnwoods6296]

Brilliant, love the look and finish

[@davehernandez4177]

Wow bro! What a beautiful and motivating video. I’m so inspired to make one for myself Thank you

[@TheCiricote]

I live in Yucatán and here tje katalox Is very common, nice work I a fan of your work

[@nonparticipant4671]

Beautiful job. Really like to see inspiring work like this!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Thanks so much!

[@PaPaJ77]

That's one beautiful mallet.

[@mrc2205]

I love it. Looks great

[@TheNerowulf]

Love that look!

[@LesSaddington-g8h]

Watched the mallet video.. Very impressed, especially with the logo. I’ve got quite a few items with identical ones.

[@cedricburg8374]

a work of art. Beautiful.

[@Blueboy9055]

This mallet is a Thing of Beauty!!

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@johnhilton1866]

Very interesting. I have a piece of boxwood that has been drying for a long time that you just reminded me of.

[@jarmstrong2843]

I have not made a nice mallet like you, but I have turned many on my wood lathe out of hickory wood. When it is dry, the wood is very hard and makes a nice mallet for wood working. It's just a basic mallet; nothing fancy, but gets the job done.

[@shanejohnson800]

That’s beautiful I tried something similar yours came out way better

[@BlacktailStudio]

Oh thanks!

[@davidhumphrey1922]

I do mallets, similar to yours. I use hedge apple heads and anything cool for handles. Nicely done. Video was great.

[@rahamtullahmansuri7665]

I loved the colour of the wood

[@smeefamily54]

I made a carving mallet for my niece out of a very dense oak. It came out nice and she likes it. Finished it with teak oil and bees wax.

[@a1970gto]

You’re absolutely right on the value of spending time with your “gal” to catch up on the days events.

[@NeonThoughtBox]

That's a work of art.

[@RemeslennikCW]

Отличный инструмент своими руками! Сделано с душой!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@johneberhardt6101]

Very nice!! A new mallet to make!! Thank you!!

[@arigol2]

Beautiful work

[@Cre8sumthing]

Good vid...thank you for solving a problem (I was going to say "I didn't know I had", sounds snarky), but seriously, thank you....you helped me realize the problem I'm working on

[@c.jillallen-hood4685]

A beautiful mallet!

[@scottharrison7696]

I live in northeast Texas and Osage Orange is simply beautiful wood. It's incredibly dense and when sanded to 2000 grit or higher it takes on a wonderful shimmer that's got many facets within it.

[@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309]

I am confusedly. Are you sanding the wood to 2000 Raw or with a finish on it? I'm just trying to understand how it works. D o you wax it and then sand, finish then sand, it or is it just raw wood? I mean I definitely wet sanded a finished wood with high grits but I've never sanded raw wood over 220 without a finish on it so I don't know how it will come out.

[@scottharrison7696]

@@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309 I start sanding with a nearly finished project.. I start sanding with about 150 grit sandpaper and gradually work my way up to 2000 grit. Slowly increasing to higher grit as I go. Often I don't even put a finish on my finished project because by the time you get go 2000 grit the wood is beautiful. If I put a finish on it I normally use wax or butchers block oil. I hope this helps.

[@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309]

@@scottharrison7696 Wow! I thought this guy was doing some movie magic. Learn something new every day.

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

I made mine, without the thumb slot, in West Australian Jarrah. I used automotive paper to 1400 then wax and it practically glows in the dark !! Thanks for the video.

[@BlacktailStudio]

Nice man!

[@JidoAZ]

Enjoyed it very much … good job!

[@robertcullity1695]

Beautiful! I do a lot of texturing and I'm wearing a hand/thumb wrap these days because of the angles I have to use. The thumb grip looks like a keeper. And I'm going to use some orange wood for the mallet, another good tip! Always enjoy your videos.

[@BlacktailStudio]

That’s a seriously hard wood!

[@sgilly80]

Quality build, and video. Well done

[@Phyoomz]

Gorgeous mallet!