Build this amazing traditional mallet

[@drunkenknight]

never in my life did i think the history and re-building of a joiner's mallet would be recommended to me and be this enjoyable, you win this time algorithm.

[@jashimara]

Same here.

[@unclesam1433]

Same

[@Vanayr]

The bots command. The bots must be obeyed. Ok, ok, I liked and subscribed! 😂

[@bodo4891]

This is my third joiner's mallet crafting video I'm watching today and I have no idea how I got here.

[@dust9787]

where can I pick up my time algorithm award?

[@gumtreeterry9904]

My wife watched this build with me, well casually glanced over my shoulder as she browsed her phone. Usually, she is not interested in woodwork. I thought it a nice sharing moment. I listened intently to the discussion of ergonomics and the importance of the angled face, mass of the head and so on. She looked at me and in all seriousness said, “You guys need help”. I had the last laugh however: I bought the plans.

[@RexKrueger]

We DO need help. We need help buying more tools and wood, we need help clearing out a good workspace, and we need help with the kids so we can get some damn woodwork done!

[@ApexHerbivore]

That genuinely made me laugh Terry

[@aubrey310]

I'm a wife watching videos myself, wishing my husband had any interest 😒 Grew up watching This Old House on pbs. My inner woodworker spirit is dying 😭

[@SapioiT]

@@aubrey310 Then start woodworking yourself. Easy fix for the problem.

[@charadremur333]

@@SapioiT she might not be able to.

[@fiercephoenix4389]

"Will you take three bucks?" That is indeed the proper response.

[@zaggernut5054]

immediately agree and they get suspicious

[@H3xx99]

Especially if you recognize it as easily a 50$ antique tool...

[@thatellipsisguy8984]

I would’ve started at $2...

[@Ed-lz4jv]

@@thatellipsisguy8984 I would charge you 7

[@oddballvolp3]

he sells the plans for 3 bucks I feel like there's a connection...

[@vasilikozhushner7208]

it almost looks like the original craftsman just used a section of old wagon wheel to make that mallet head. maybe even used the original hole that the spoke would have gone into for the mortise and just squared it off.

[@clayvansickle1]

Vasili Kozhushner Huh. You might be right! That is a cool observation!

[@samuelmellars7855]

Yeah, I'd be willing to bet that way back, someone re-purposed an old, broken wheel to make a mallet, then went "...huh, this is pretty good, let's make a few more like it and see what we can improve" or an apprentice tried to copy the really brilliant mallet the master had "invented" from an old bit of wheel

[@u1u9]

I was thinking the same thing. Wagon wheel would also explain why the handle wedges in the “wrong” way.

[@bs838]

That's exactly it. Sometimes things are as simple as they seem. No need to glamorize or over complicate this tool.

[@maxwatson4545]

It also looks like this guy needs to take his enthusiasm down from 10 to about a 6

[@ejd53]

My grandfather was born and grew up in Old Kilpatrick, Scotland. He did his apprenticeship as a yacht joiner in the Napier and Miller shipyard there starting in 1912. I have a number of his tools including a mallet that looks very similar to the one you have, including curved head and "reverse wedge". It still works like it did a hundred years ago and the head is rock solid.

[@samlau7948]

Fam: “What have you been up to today?” Me: Nothing much, just watched a guy fanboy over a hammer for 16 minutes 😂

[@RexKrueger]

Seems reasonable to me.

[@samlau7948]

Agreed. 🙂

[@aubrey310]

I watched a 2 hour bushcraft build that had almost no dialog. Chances of me being able to go to any wilderness and build anything at all are slim.

[@SapioiT]

@@aubrey310 It's about relaxation, not about learning handicrafting. There is a documentary about Primitive Technology which goes into more details about that.

[@drafty0183]

Unlike your explanation of the details, and why it has the features it has and to what use you put them. Well done man!

[@zrebbesh]

My g'grandfather had several of these in his shop, in different sizes. He made them himself. The reverse mortise, curved head, and curved section at the top of the handle are a natural consequence of their being made from wooden wagon wheels. Your handle used to be a spoke. The heads absolutely never came loose from these because the mortise had been driven into it every time the wheel turned around, for many many years.

[@anthonychristie7781]

"The design of the tool itself, tells you how to use it." (18:15) This was exactly my sense the first time i picked up a Baroque cello bow and put it to a gut string. There's a ton of academic literature and general chit-chat amongst musicians about historical period practise, and it's useful and fun. But tbh, about 90% of it comes down to just doing what the gear says works. Bravo, Rex! Fantastic insight!

[@JDark89]

I'd lay money on that being a cartwheel, hence the opposing wedge handle and the extreme curve on the head. See a lot of old shops with similar tools here in England, its just good sense to re-use and recycle old scrap into useful tools. Nice video none-the-less as always

[@andreypozhogin1336]

Huh it would then make sense why the handle is tapered that way!!!

[@caitlainmccarren2286]

I concur, if the mallet head isn't part of wheel, like perhaps an off cut, then the mallet was fashioned by a wheelwright for sure. Complex joinery otherwise.

[@RexKrueger]

I'm not sure I buy that it's part of a wheel; the head is too thick. But the idea that it's a wheel-wright's mallet deserves SERIOUS consideration. It would explain a lot.

[@caitlainmccarren2286]

@@RexKrueger kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIaZo35_f86qgqM at about eight minutes into the video should convince you that the off cut idea is a real possibility. He works on a felloe (wheel section) large enough to suit the theory...and while the technology is ancient the video is modern. I understand he makes wheels of Ash.

[@elffirrdesign2063]

I concur! Sin Duda!

[@danielchervin]

The original designer had a solid understanding of how momentum is transferred via the impact, every time we swing a mallet we make a circular move with our hand, by curving the mallet he aligned the impacting surface to be perpendicular with the object we are hitting therefore optimizing the momentum transferred to the object without wasting energy on a lateral direction, also getting less tired in the process.

[@theskip1]

cut the curve with a bow saw...by the way you didn't mention soaking the head in linseed oil for about a month before assembly this not only increases the weight of the head but gives the fibers a certain amount of spring which protects the face of the mallet. believe me it makes your mallet last a lot longer. ps. i was a carpenter / joiner all my working life ( now retired )

[@PR-fk5yb]

Is it possible the top of the original handle was cut a little bigger then soak and forced press in the head. That would make the joints not only tigther but would not need any glue.?

[@firelasto]

i love it when people are genuinly excited and passionate about what they do, you can hear it in their voice. the way they admire the smallest of details, its just so nice to see someone so passionate about something

[@jaredtandle2596]

Wow, that mallet is the arc of the circle with the end of the handle as its center point. Or at least very close. Great engineering.

[@sno4439]

The two different face angles were for a high grip and low grip on the handle. The bloke who made that was incredible.

[@sno4439]

Higher grip for one side with the higher angled face and the lower grip for the shy angled face

[@sno4439]

This would give you a square hitting angle

[@holben27]

The circular faces on the handle are genius as well. It's such an intuitive way to tell the user the angle their mallet is facing before striking. The guy who made and/or designed this really was incredible.

[@sno4439]

@@holben27 yes but I've seen the actual video when he didn't understand what the different angles were for

[@paavobergmann4920]

Idea why the two faces might come in at slightly different angles: When you grip the handle at the end for a power stroke and swing it from the elbow, you have a different radius compared to when you slide up on the handle for the delicate carving grip and move it from the wrist. So if you use the right face for the job, the face wil always hit the tool at right angles, which is safer, more efficient and precise. Whoever designed that mappet really knew geometry and ergonomics.

[@PatricesProjects]

My thoughts exactly.

[@idiosyncraticRyugu]

i have no clue how i got here.. but this dude's enthusiasm is very infectious.. was glued to it the whole video xD.

[@RexKrueger]

Well, I'm glad you got here! Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@weezerOU812]

I see your plans are $5.00. Will you take 3 bucks?

[@marconiandcheese7258]

How bout tree fitty

[@Notforyou201]

How does FREE fitty sound?

[@okiwatashi2349]

@@Notforyou201does that mean that Rex gives you 50 cents to take it away?

[@oliverdelica2289]

Dare to use his spells against him? 😂

[@unclebobsbees4899]

😂

[@DCxRecon]

“I am not coming back covered in dust and wearing a respirator.” Loved it!!!!

[@leahanna5594]

"I'm gettin' me mallet"

[@neilgordonlyndem6143]

You and paul are helping me and new Carpenters so much. Thank you 😁😁

[@joeobrien196]

The dark patina on old mallets was often not just with time. When the mallet dried out the head would be placed in a bath of linseed oil and left until the two faces(end grain) would not absorb any more. The handle would be removed and one side of the hole blocked with putty and the hole filled until no more linseed oil was absorbed. A coat applied to the rest of the head. Protection and a slight weight gain.

[@NCharlesworth86]

I've heard the same about wood planes, with craftsmen sealing the mouth and filling the void with linseed and leaving it for a day so the entire block gets full of oil which then cures

[@ukype]

Very cool to know

[@BloodSprite-tan]

i have some very dark knife handles that were basically only finished with applying coats of linseed oil they get wet often and so i have to apply a lot of coats, while it might be true that the mallet was bathed in linseed oil, i'm not really sure that is always the case. it might just be a well used tool, that has many hundreds of coats of linseed oil.

[@leehaelters6182]

Joe, sounds like you know what yer talkin about first hand. In a similar vein, Mr. Paul Vogel, a turner past retirement age but still at the lathe when I met him more than fourty years ago, had a bucket full of fish billies soaking in used motor oil in his shop in South Boston. RIP Mr. Vogel, you old craftsman.

[@Danoliveira3]

@@leehaelters6182 excuse me if I sound stupid for asking but english id not my first language, what exactly are fish billies?

[@facundonunez2358]

That mallet look like it's was made of a piece of wagon wheels, and repurpose for a nice mallet, could be that it's have different angle in the faces for be crude made or for different stroke, maybe one heavy and another delicate. The wagon wheels need a taper like that for the mechanical strength . It's a beautiful mallet trought!

[@Great.Milenko]

im not sure, looking at it, if it were a wheel it would be about 3 feet outside diameter..

[@punishedmeridia]

@@Great.Milenko Could have been a cannon wheel or a two wheeled buggy wheel

[@VinlandAlchemist]

I'd posted something similar here, a couple/few months ago - it's been done often before, that a ship's wheel would be made into carpenter's mallets like this... these especially would have that feature on the handle Rex likes so much. It's my bet that that's just what Rex has here - a mallet from an old ship's wheel ;)

[@GaryBrooks007]

Love the Video, bought and downloaded the plans. Kinda wish the head was a little more detailed in the plans, the handle was perfect.

[@LuisFlores-dn6jt]

These videos are getting more entertaining and more insightful. Thank you Rex.

[@RexKrueger]

That's nice to hear!

[@chriswoods7452]

Tonight I completed my Paul Sellers Mallet. Tomorrow I start my Rex Krueger router plane. Thanks Rex, please keep going.

[@Mr40tt]

WoW! Some of the old craftsmen certainly knew what they were doing. I was a blacksmith for over 60 years, and would learn much "just by pondering the workmanship of what others had crafted." I have worked at being an all-around craftsman (wood/metal) for the majority of my life, and have had fine training from some very skilled craftsman, and yet I am still learning all of the time. I have seen some very clever younger craftsmen do things that I have never seen before, so age is not the divider. Thank You for the lesson!

[@RexKrueger]

And thank you for sharing your experience too! I'm also a smith, and I find it a very demanding craft. I've been at it a while, but I've got a long way to go.

[@billshaffer9689]

not just the geometry but the ergonomics were well thought out. needs showing thru in the design. gotta love someone that knew what was needed

[@paavobergmann4920]

experience. Being experienced in a job does wonders.

[@philspaces7213]

When i made mine, i used a different angle on the two faces Purposely, one was flatter than the other you can get a harder blow with the flater face, the angled face is like you said easier on The body, but sacrifices transfered energy

[@SnailMan63]

I know nothing about woodworking but Rex’s enthusiasm travels to me

[@Exgrmbl]

Nice find, reminds me when i found an 80 year old continental style 24" jointer plane in great condition for 5€. Insane what some people throw out there, but their ignorance is our benefit.

[@COEYRN]

You say at the end of your video about patrons looking for old tools. I have collected for years, plus I have my dad's tools, he kept from his grandfather. There so aesthetically pleasing, I just love them. To be honest, until I watched this video today, I had no idea how to use some of them. So thank you, and love your voice and the way you present. To me that's what keeps me watching.

[@GhostfaceRuga]

I just recently dove into my woodworking venture, and didn't want to spend a whole lot to get started on some basic things. (funny right) and then I discovered your channel! Unlike some of these others who boast a starter kit for $1000 🙄 I've made your $30 work bench, and I've made some pretty cool stuff on that bench! So thank you much!

[@kevinelliott5823]

Waylon Gerard that’s my plan for this weekend! Harbor freight for a cpl things

[@Ericrutledgebetter]

Well I took your advice except for the last part. This was my first project after completing my table. But must say after sweat, blood, and a lot of 4 letter words. I couldn't be happier. Love your videos and sense of humor. Keep up the good work!

[@_optimal]

Not gonna lie but when I saw this in my recommended I kinda just pushed it off to the side. I finally caved in to see what this was about and i now have no regrets! I subbed and loved this whole video on this.

[@Greyotterstudio]

Rex and Paul sellers are the reason I felt confident enough to get into woodworking, they always make it seem accessible to us all. No matter our experience or tool collection. I just made a laminated ash and sapele mallet entire with a hand saw and a plane, and I don't think I would of even had the confidence to try without these guys, so thanks for the inspiration!!

[@varesh3136]

Im not a big fan of these stuff but the way you talk and explain from start to finish makes this video enjoyable yo watch.

[@johnmcgee7171]

Man, you knocked it out of the park. One of the best vids l've ever seen. I gotta try to make one.

[@RexKrueger]

Thank you!

[@elementalist1984]

@@RexKrueger just curious, but would it have been possible to stabilize that first billet with epoxy for this project?

[@RexKrueger]

@@elementalist1984 yes, but I don't see why.

[@elementalist1984]

@@RexKrueger just a curiosity thing. Like if it was a specific type of wood that you wanted to use or that was all you had. Not really relevant to most situations as it would be easier to get a different piece of wood than it is to stabilize the first piece.

[@woodandwandco]

This is still my favorite episode! I watch it repeatedly for the $3 punchline!

[@jackfrost1031]

I just had a dogwood tree fall in my yard and think I will save the lumber for making a mallet now! Thanks

[@RexKrueger]

Excellent choice!

[@adrianabshire]

Oh, I could *make* a Dog Wood fall in my yard! Lol. How long would it need to sit outside and dry out?

[@joeblow3547]

Just discovered Rex. He speaks very well. Quite a professional. Easy to watch.

[@priority2]

Love your channel! I’m a retired 40 year sheet metal worker and a hobby machinist/Knifemaker but I love watching someone who works with his hands and who takes pride in what he is doing ❤️ You have a new subscriber and Patron 😊 Keep up the great work. I can’t believe you don’t have a million subscribers👍

[@jamesperrin3762]

Despite beating you to the punch line in the intro I think this is your best video so far. I’ve a cheap shop bought mallet but I don’t think there is anything stopping me from applying some of the features of yours to it.

[@RexKrueger]

Make your own. It will be better. I promise!

[@petercallaghan9851]

3rd video in.....and this has become one of my favorite channels. You are a great communicator and I really like your humor.

[@RexKrueger]

Welcome!

[@yadoodz]

Rex, not sure if somebody’s already said it, but that little penny sized detail at the top of the mallet is the result of turning the handle on a lathe. I’m a carpenter, and I just finished making this mallet out of some oak firewood I had at home. I decided to turn the handle on our shop lathe and I had the exact same result. It’s just what happens when the round turning gouge contacts the square edges of the tenon!

[@Sephiroth391]

"i have plans set up on my website really reasonably priced" -yeah reasonably priced, i don't mind spending 5$ on it -Huh, i'm sold

[@markdesolate]

"There's no reason to be a slave to tradition". I like this saying A LOT! Thanks for the very detailed video. You gained my sub! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@wilsoncalhoun]

Regarding needing a mallet to make a mallet, don't forget the simple cylinder mallet hacked out of a piece of cordwood or a thick limb. They're not necessarily always the best tool for the job, but they're often a quick, easy, and good enough solution to a temporary problem.

[@chrishunter2097]

I built this mallet out of oak and have been using it…it is fantastic. Thanks for the video.

[@HolyPineCone]

I am a complete beginner but your videos makes me so happy! You give me the feeling that this is something I can make. Even though this specific one seems kind of hard, I will draw inspiration from it. Thank you!

[@RexKrueger]

This one is a bit hard, but I have plenty of easy ones!

[@vaultking9984]

1 I am modifying this for a Cosplay build, THIS IS MY HAMMER! 2 I got really happy when you got the cross cut saw. My grandpa had and EXCLUSIVELY used it

[@allenwc]

It is amusing, because I just watched Paul Sellers mallet a week or so ago, and, now Third Coast craftsman just did one and Wood by Wright as well. I am going to build this one though.

[@driesvanoosten4417]

It's not amusing, it's a sign.

[@clappercl]

You see this video duplication a lot. A famous maker releases a video and everyone else copies it to ride the wave. Which I love, myself. More ideas and ways to a task are great!

[@RockyMountainBear]

"What does it mean?! OMG! A triple wood carvers mallet in the sky! What. Does. It. Meeeean? 😫😢😟😩🤯" Seriously though, that Abraham Lincoln mallet looks pretty cool, and tests your skillz. I would still go with this one. It's more useful, and 3rd coast was just showing off (which I totally would never do... that's a lie. I wood).

[@RexKrueger]

@@clappercl For the record, mine has nothing to do with 3rd Coast Craftsman. I've been slowly planning this one for months. and I shoot 2 weeks ahead of release, so his wasn't out when i started.

[@clappercl]

@@RexKrueger Oh, I didn't mean to imply you did, sorry! Should have phrased that better! But you do often see similar videos released in bundles from multiple content providers. Which again, I enjoy!

[@theanman777]

I love people who are passionate of their specialties and provide a good source of information and entertainment through that passion.

[@199NickYT]

This guy would be an incredible salesman. "Sell me this pen." "I'll do you one better." *pulls out mallet*

[@clockmaister]

"big maaan big maaan, want a Thor's pen?"

[@johnkelley9877]

This was a great tutorial. Not only do you explain how to make the mallet but you let us know about the Paul Sellers mallet as well. This is just very helpful and thoughtful advice. Thank you for making and sharing this.

[@RexKrueger]

Paul's mallet is IDEAL for the beginner.

[@rogerfrood7377]

I bet the mallet was equally glad to have found you, to be properly appreciated as the masterly three-in-one tool you describe. My guess is that this was made as part of an apprentice's passing out exam. Years ago I inherited such an item from an ex-neighbour who designed and made his own mallet in the 1920's. It had a turned boxwood handle fitted, with doubled X-wedges, into a solid ebony head that had all faces slightly plump and rounded like a fresh clean pillow. Are you sure the handle on yours is beech? The grain is flamed, and I have never seen flamed beech. I think that maple or hornbeam are more likely candidates. The choice of flamed grain for the handle is not (just) for show; it also reduces the shock passed back from the head strike to the hand. Thank you for sharing this treasure with us.

[@petervelloza4930]

Never thought I would be able to watch the entire video. I haven’t been sleeping the past few days. I really thought this would put me to sleep now I want to go make one , no power tools !proper respect,great job . And I’m still awake.

[@beerguy1002000]

Well I watched the video twice and I love the design so much, I finally am supporting you and got the plans and the spokeshave too. Keep em coming, your doing great!!! Thanks

[@RexKrueger]

Welcome to the channel!

[@RevereShin]

I’ll admit, I’ve passed right by your video a couple times. But, boy was KZbin right in recommending this to me. From the intro to the explanation to the woodworking, I loved every moment of it!

[@RexKrueger]

That's so nice of you to say! Thanks!

[@masteronone2079]

I've got to say this was one of the most information dense I have come across. If I started ticking off the tips an tricks Ilearned here I'd have to pause the video to sharpen my pencil. Thanks❗

[@buzzmooney2801]

An excellent illustration of one of the great ironies of woodworking: you often end up spending half your shop time making more tools!

[@scottsimpey2965]

Great looking mallet Rex. I need to make a new one and I think I’ll give this a shot. I made a Paul Sellers style mallet a few years ago but it’s big and bulky so it’s very rare that I ever pick it up for use except to move it. Great job explaining how you went about the overall shaping of that.

[@revon0521]

Love this mallet. And I love that you shout out to Paul Sellers. His was my first mallet and yours will be my second. I believe this is the proper sequence. That said, my choice of flamed birch was poor, for a first go because the grain is all over the place and even mortising was a challenge. Can't wait to DL the plan and have a whack at this. Thanks, Rex.

[@alexisjust9269]

You're my favorite comedian, er I mean woodworker.

[@RexKrueger]

I try to make is fun. These woodworking videos can get a bit dry.

[@ubbeus]

Woodedian?

[@brag0001]

@@RexKrueger depends on where you store them 😉

[@didndido3638]

This video encouraged me to "make a tool I was going to use to make some more tools" and I just have to encourage you to do the same!

[@Khitiara_]

Over in machining land we call that sort of joint a "self-locking taper", its really surprising sometimes how strong they can be

[@NoxianSoulHarvester]

If i want to make to most useful and ergonomic mallet there is no reason i shouldn't be buying those plans thanks for all the help rex!

[@sageseraph5035]

“Ah yes, the fine craft of wood working.” ~me, who knows nothing about this stuff 2020

[@Wertsir]

“Yes that sure is some... wood”

[@PandorasFolly]

@@Wertsir yes. The wood is made of......wood.

[@matheussanthiago9685]

the fine and complex art of reshaping tree corpses, yes outstanding indeed

[@oliverdelica2289]

I love you guys 🤣🤣

[@twistedtwinx2517]

my grandfather had a mallet like that. He said his father made a heavy wooden wagon wheel into several of them by cutting the wheel apart evenly between the spokes etc. and gave one to each of his sons.

[@chrisyu98]

I skipped the square/rectangular tapered hole. Straight round hole. The handle is a damaged double bladed axe handle (hickory). with the length and surface area between the handle and head some glue and a simple wedge in the end will hold it. It will never just fly off, not without you noticing it was loose. Like you the head was ash from a storm damaged tree. Just as a test I made two, one with the grain parallel the other perpendicular to the striking face. See which holds up better.

[@mathquir190]

try a slight curve into the handle. The force will be stronger on one side and less on the other. I also made mine with finger grips bye drawing out my hand on it and chiseling it and have a pommel to the end of the handle to punch big on the other side that give more force. I'm like chiseling small taps and then when I need a big stroke I just rotate it.

[@gordonpromish9218]

on the curves and face angles: willing to bet that if you extend the planes of the faces until they intersect, you will discover that intersection is the vertex or center of rotation for your hand in a natural-hold strike, and that the curves match arcs drawn from that vertex. keeping the mass and momentum of the head in-line with the arc of the swing helps keep the face aligned perpendicular to the chisel's butt. at a guess, that's why it feels livelier in your hand than does the other mallet

[@RexKrueger]

Now there's a man who understands geometry. I'm an educated man, but I didn't understand half of the very smart stuff you just said.

[@chrisosh9574]

Freezing the image and holding a ruler to the screen shows the plane of the faces intersect with the outer surface of the end of the handle, the designer was a master.

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. In fact while he was swinging the mallet I could picture the planes if the faces and the center line of the handle. It's all about the physics.

[@christophersmith8014]

Or perhaps parallel to your forearm when your gripped hand is at its maximum forward tilted position. That way it lines up with the motion of your arm and minimizes wrist stress. It would also keep that alignment no matter how far up you gripped the handle. I'm not next to my tools to measure the angles, but I would figure that if you rest your hand open and look at your thumb as the handle and the inside line of your index finger as the mallet face the relationship would be nearly the same. Then using the mallet would be as comfortable as tapping your finger on the edge of a table.

[@WoodInn]

@@RexKrueger Here is an article with diagrams showing exactly what he is suggesting. www.timberframe-tools.com/tools/mallet-head-angle/#mallet-stringing

[@incotheghost6243]

Why am I here? I have no knowledge or interest in carpentry or woodworking, or anything of the like. but god damn, the way you shine with excitement and bring out that eagerness and passion in what you clearly love dearly, I love watching these videos!

[@louisvictor3473]

Been thinking on this one. The taper on the tenon is really more like hourglass shaped than "reversed", even if you don't initially build it that way. The moment that wedge goes in, that is the shape the tenon will naturally be shaped. Even if there is no space for it to expand to an actual hourglass shape, you've just increased the friction fit by increasing internal pressure, and with the glue you'd really need to be Thor to make it get loose. On the other hand, I wonder if that is not actually how the mortise is shaped (whether in an actual hourglass shape with the top as broad as the bottom, or with the top just a bit broader than the initial size of the tenon up there, which would be too subtle to guess without cutting the mallet open).

[@johnverkler3962]

@ Louis VIctor x-ray it.

[@devoncrooks226]

Just made one of these! Love the design and the plans were very user friendly Thanks for all you do on this channel. I’m a big fan

[@MrJlm38]

Hello, I built a mallet after seeing your video, thank you for the inspiration

[@timothymagee6643]

I think the round section at the handle where it meets the head is a design for strength. The handle is quite thin and the stress where the handle meets the head is considerable. Any user might hit with this mallet with different forces, some with great force, so the curved section strengthens to avoid handle breakage.

[@ragnkja]

Timothy Magee Yet another reason it’s a good design element that the maker should strive to include, or exclude at their own risk.

[@calcium9398]

Why am I watching this? I'm not even a carpenter.

[@glendawynn887]

Saaaaame

[@ubbeus]

Not yet - wait 'til you've watched the whole series...;)

[@kendarr]

Try getting into making stuff, it's awesome

[@PMVoid]

Because Making things makes your brain *feel*

[@richardwiley5933]

Making stuff is programmed into the male DNA. It's fascinating and grabs our attention whether we need it or not.

[@marigoldjanies5756]

....it's 3 am and I'm completely invested in a video of a guy geeking out over a mallet.....love it

[@leiladekwatro3147]

That guy watching this video like "I shouldnt have let it go for 3 bucks"

[@juhakoskinen2128]

After watching the video advert i was still skeptical. But when i finally downloaded the plans kzbin.infoUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG i was very impressed. The whole plan was just as you said in the video. Thank you very much. I now have a large and valuable collection for my woodworks. This is great!

[@emberhydra]

I have no clue who you are but you got my intrest thanks to KZbin random video. I enjoyed you chopping the wood,

[@RexKrueger]

I don't know why, but YT serves this video to people who don't woodwork. Whatever. I'm glad you're here.

[@rubenotero7100]

I cant tell if youtube knows I'm losing my mind spiraling deep into a covid woodworking hobby or if this was just randomly recommended.

[@MW-xv1sj]

It's a piece off of the front wheel of a horse cart. Probably late 1800s early 1900s. (Im estimating based on wheel diameter. Wheel size was much smaller during that time due to the better quality of roads) Spokes were turned on a lathe. Mortise machines were already around (1867). The spoke is the handle. The wedge on the top is so strong because it was super compressed by a steel band. So really the wheelwright is who you can thank for that mallet, and I gotta get me one. A mallet. Not a wheelwright, cus I dont have a cart. Or a horse.

[@RexKrueger]

That's pretty unlikely. It's made of beech, which is the wrong wood and the radius on the top and bottom are different. Also, there are no historical examples of mallets made that way that I can find. It's not impossible, but I'll believe it when I see some evidence.

[@madebyconnor7763]

I’ve been needing to make a mallet. Might try this one!

[@TombstoneThe]

i love this video so much. i've only done a very little woodworking in my life but there's something about this video... it started off with a funny story about you finding an antique hammer at a garage sale for five bucks, which is decades old and has silently being the best mallet ever made. the analysis of the design and the faithful attention to detail in it's recreation was an entertaining process in and of itself. and, in the end, you even offer the plans for people to create the hammer themselves. in this video i saw a craftsman of an ancient art come across a tool of timeless quality through a pure stroke of serendipity, and save it from being lost to the annals of time. thanks for making this video!

[@MatthewSherriff85]

I've made 2 mallets so far, the first exploded and the second one is still standing but i need a better, hardwood and heavier one

[@vbgvbg1133]

Imagining it exploding is kinda funny

[@MatthewSherriff85]

@@vbgvbg1133 it was weighted with sand too, wish I had it on slow Mo video

[@MrRogsmart]

It was a good day indeed when I stumbled across Rex Krueger's channel. The mallet is nice too.

[@TheJaso0n]

How did I get here? nobody: KZbin: Build this amazon traditional malllet Jokes aside pretty cool build even if I didnt even know I wanted one or how to use one :P :D

[@RexKrueger]

The algorithm is a fickle god, but maybe you actually want to build stuff. It's a pretty fantastic thing to do.

[@mebibyte9347]

@@RexKrueger Yeah I'm pretty stoked this showed up for me. Thanks for making this great content

[@seldonwright4345]

We humans never ever willingly give up our tools. Any tool.

[@SenselessUsername]

I'm trying to finish the measurements to make the cutting list for my workbench, doubting between two options, and instead here I am considering the intricacies of antique 'scottish pattern' mallets I've never heard of; also I'm not convinced from this footage that both faces are at 7degrees (he measured one) so want to ask him to measure the other that looks like 8-9degrees... Ok back to drawing.

[@HickeyTyson]

The irony of story and the ticket price for the mallet is not lost on me. Wicked video! Keep up the awesome work. I just stumbled upon your videos and I love the commentary and fun that you have in your videos. Thx for the knowledge

[@1977TCBElvis]

Hi Rex, Great work, as always! Very inspirational. I 'm still wondering how the old masters could build their projects by just using handtools. Look at the the wooden vessels of the 15th and 16th century here in Europe. Amazing! Merry Christmas to you and your family, have a happy new year and let's hope that our countries won't fight too much over minor issues. Greetings from Germany

[@1inDnile]

I had one like this bought at a car boot sale in England,traditionally mallets are made out of beech,'fagus sylvatica' in england Shaft and head. Never put your hand planes on their soles always lay on side to protect both sole and blade...Nice job none the less has inspired me to make one.

[@tsarbamba642]

"will you take three bucks?" this guy knows his stuff.

[@cmdrsocks]

I bought a job lot of planes of ebay and got a compass plane in the box. Only thing I have used it on was my scrap oak mallet, made really nice curves on the head. I made the handle long and when placed on the bench on a striking face the corner of the handle just rests on the bench. Something about a curved head mallet with a handle that matches the radius makes delivering energy into a tool effortless. I second what is said in the video, don't buy, build a mallet it's a great project. If it turns out great, you'll love using it. If not, toss it on the fire and start another. A good learning experience.

[@Daddywaah]

"Will you take 3 bucks?" - lmao, that'll teach me for taking a sip of wine at the same time! :D

[@Baghnal]

Hobbyist woodworker from Germany here! Loved the video, also always wanted to make my own mallet. Might give it a shot! I like your style of explaining, it all made a lot of sense to me! =)

[@robertkat]

A good mallett has straight grain, no knots, made from maple aged and dried for 3 years.

[@wesleypearson7619]

Less things will be lost in time. Because of both the Internet, and you. Thank you

[@lestercopeland6885]

I just made a wooden mallet this afternoon. Been a long time since I made anything. I'm way out of practice.

[@r.mercado9737]

I simply cannot believe 21 minutes went by so quickly! Outstanding Mr. Rex! Semper Fi

[@JohnJbVlogsyt]

@Rex Krueger can you do a video on some basic projects to start selling, and making money with handtools.

[@worxharder9470]

Consider making kitchen utensils, like spatulas, or rolling pins. Those always are needed.

[@JDeWittDIY]

Good idea.

[@glen1arthur]

cutting boards are another great seller.

[@ahmedshakir6967]

Also functional/decorative things like tissue dispensers, candle holders, pencil pots etc might be good for selling

[@glen1arthur]

@@ahmedshakir6967 I also seen one guy who made those wooden children puzzles (large pieces) for toddlers. He used natural dyes like beet juice to colour them.

[@gregorygoings8726]

Rex, you are such a breath of fresh air. Respectful, diligent, not precious about the “artisan” thing, but smart and analytical enough to be really engaging. Plus, your ideas do work! Thanks.