Making More Mallets

[@RobMods]

14:57 I used to run cnc routers in a guitar factory, and in the guitar world there is still an attitude that cnc is somehow cheating and that only hand tools are worthy of true art. Frank, you should never have to justify to yourself or anyone really, your use of a cnc machine to get closer to the final outcome. It really doesn't matter what tool you are using, if you are a craftsman/artist this will shine through. And don't worry, with your channel, it does! There is just as much knowledge, experience and craft in making jigs, programming tool paths, devising creative machining solutions with a cnc, as there is with a chisel or a hand plane.

[@frankmakes]

Yes!

[@elluisito000]

I was going to same the same, as a former guitar builder a lot of people use to complain about the fact that my guitars were cnc made. I always replied back saying that the fact that i have Word in my pc doesn't make me a novelist 😀

[@paulheitkemper1559]

counterpoint: I cannot carve a beautiful curve to save my life. My eyes and hands just can't do it. But I can program a CNC to cut a perfect curve. So am I an artist or not? My buddy uses CAD to create body stamping dies for a major car company. He cannot wield a body hammer to save his life. But all his fenders come out beautiful. Is he an artist? No, no more than the rich patron who commissions art and tells the artist what to make is himself an artist.

[@jlinkhart]

@@paulheitkemper1559 your comparison of using a cnc and someone commissioning art is flawed. It does not take skill to hire an artist to create a piece of art for you. But, it does take skill to create a piece of art on a cnc.

[@paulheitkemper1559]

@@jlinkhart all analogies are flawed. But I feel that my entire point taken as a whole still stands.

[@MichaelJohnson-jt5cu]

Turning mallets is an enjoyable mental therapy session, each one is different and instantly becomes a primal wood working tool used today and thousands of years ago for the same purpose.

[@mikedoyle5362]

Hi Frank, beautiful mallets! For the hardwood resource. Check with the countertop places that receive quartz and other natural stone. They use the same types of tropical wood. I figured this out when leaving Woodcraft in Seattle. There is a counter top place behind it and they had a stack of pallets with a free sign. The dunnage was very dark, very dense. Great stuff.

[@frankmakes]

thanks, that's a good idea

[@katsbreez]

I really wish you had done a final shot of the mallets after you put the finish on them. They're beautiful.

[@jamesbradley7519]

For about 3 1/2 years, I’ve been a woodworker. I really appreciate the detailed to your website. Very beautiful symmetry not only with your woodworking but your project as well. I am always looking for hardwood. I just met down at the local hardware store where I can get hardwood anytime from his tree service it takes a little bit ofcommunication and friendly Ness. I’m really loving it.

[@blunderbuss9927]

Gorgeous mallets. Good luck on getting that wood sourced up again. Some of the tropical hardwoods that are just scrap over there are just amazing. While stationed over there, I was able to literally just pick up teak, mahogany and rosewood from roadside dumps and local tree services that just wanted to be rid of it instead of paying to dump it or send it off to be burned. It was almost easier to get over there than to get pine and oak from your neighbors here.

[@carycleland9506]

Having jumped into the CNC world, I’m more amazed at your ability to program all this into your CAD program.

[@witr]

I really liked the overhead shots in this video, it gives a nice sense of what it's like to be doing what you're doing

[@Drsteezymcgee]

We have the same first name and same initials. It put a huge smile on my face when you cut your initials into the handle. Thank you for the great content.

[@wandapiedra8973]

Every mallet is in itself a piece of art. I never get tired of admiring your work. I’m always happy when I encounter one of your videos. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️👍😊

[@davidanderson5767]

That's really true: finding what the wood wants to be. Your video composition is as interesting as the project.

[@GregsGarage]

I have one of your mallets from the first batch. It is my go-to anytime I'm working in the shop. The hardwood doesn't show much sign of use.

[@Postfrogish]

Piquia or Piquiarana. The wood you're looking for sounds a lot like Piquia. I bought some not long ago at a rather low price, compared to for example oak or walnut. It was marketed as a hardwood joist for support the floor of a terrace. The color is the same and it's some of the hardest woods I've come across. It doesn't take in oils so well, but it doesn't let much water in also.... Hence the use, I guess. I got some left, and building a mallet is a great idea, thanks

[@OnkelPeters]

AND you can use the same initials on the handle 👍🏼

[@Postfrogish]

@@OnkelPetersnot gonna lie - it took me a minute. You're right! I might have to freehand it with a dremel, tho 😵‍💫

[@kentlovelace4108]

Amazing! Love your projects and ingenuity!😊

[@philcarver9025]

I live near Middlesbrough a free port in the UK. a timber supplier had some of the same wood cant remember its name. it was very cheep but it's properties was it warped and was hard red wood when i went back for more it was sold, no more! Making Mallets out of it would have been a good move. i made draw fronts glued to a ply liner. this also worked.: loved your vid. Thanks.

[@Peterbsullivan]

Frank, your use of technology is an art itself. Nice work.

[@cnrart.claudiorodriguez9978]

espectacular sus trabajos , la verdad usted inspira a que sigamos en nuestros proyectos..MUCHAS GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR SUS TRABAJOS Your work is spectacular, the truth is that you inspire us to continue in our projects. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR WORK

[@steveroche1116]

Great vid, these mallets are stunning! I use an Andlee masons mallet for stone carving, which is beach and sustainable African iron wood, made by the master Mason at Beverley Minster. It makes a massive difference using a mallet made by someone who understands what the tool is used for, the balance and how it feels in the hand.

[@raymondcape]

Amazing project tool. Watching from Clark Pampanga Philippines.

[@Graeme408]

WOOD FOR STEEL- I googled “steel importers” in Oregon and came up with 8 importers quickly. Each of the importers is likely to have a dunnage pile just waiting for you. I am from Baltimore and even though Bethlehem Steel is out of business we still have importers of all sizes.

[@missamo80]

The shot at 14:56 is such a beautiful view of how a CNC machine can speed up workflow in a woodshop. Love it!

[@brandtlea370]

The close up of the mallet from the beginning of the video looks a lot like almond wood. I got some once and used it for cutting boards. It's ridiculously hard and has the same grain patterns and color. You can occasionally find almond lumber and it's usually pretty cheap. I've got a few 8/4 boards left that I may use for a project like this. Good luck and great video.

[@doubledarefan]

17:42 That's smart! Reduce, reuse, recycle! The "basket weave" mallet reminds me of Michael Alm's pattern plywood works.

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

Wow! I would love to have one of those. Maybe one of these days. I'm sure they're way out of my price range. I have a similar mallet that I bought at a peddlers mall, sort of a flea market where the booth proprietors just set up, price and pay a monthly fee. The mallet seems to be industrially made, made of oak I think and was probably never used before I got it. Nice $5 find LOL! I bet Michael Alm would love the patterned plywood mallet. He does amazing work with patterned plywood.

[@167curly]

What a brilliant project, Frank! Wood sculptures, indeed!

[@paulsmyers203]

Your art, the woodworking and the videography, are so good. Thank you for sharing your efforts with the world.

[@decolvin1]

Beautiful work! As a beginner woodworker, I am still in the process of building & organizing my shop. Slowly acquiring tools as I go. I was looking at making or buying a good mallet when I came across your video. Your shop and your skills are light years ahead of anything I can muster at this point, but I wanted to acknowledge how great these mallets look!

[@Andre-pe9mm]

It’s been a long time nice to see you back.👍

[@timothytrueblood5939]

Thanks, Frank. You do amazing work and have an excellent way of describing the process.

[@CreativeIdeasMaker]

In this video, there are instructive points that you can mix your ideas with. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@onlineda1]

Hey Frank. As always thanks for your very interesting videos. I live in BC and have some contacts in Vancouver so will look into the wood that might come through the Port with steel imports.

[@freshcoatpaintingmore9951]

These are really cool Frank I love how the Birch plywood and the bamboo one came out.

[@loucinci3922]

Turned out real nice. Thanks for sharing

[@tysonkoehn1]

That looks like sucupira wood. I have a bunch of that from a set of 25 wooden stools in my classroom that we replaced. Kept the wood and spent a lot of time investigating what it actually was. One of the hardest woods that there is!

[@mohkis]

These edits. Top notch. Love these projects.

[@LinauLee]

Frank, How Beautiful! Your factory style single-handed production line is quite up my Aspie alley. I love the basketweave one, too. You're show always delights & informs. Thanks. hUgz, Lee

[@fleurdelune5240]

❤️ I love the different ways you figured out how to make these mallets ❤️ Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@lkhfun6575]

Beautiful work! I'd love to see each finished mallet up close even if it is just a slow pan while they are still hanging from the string.

[@garrettstephens8168]

I’ve missed a classic wood turning project :’) the mallet is what brought me to this channel.

[@wilcojuffer5940]

Hello Frank, on 13:33min you start to mill and you do it good but try it next time 90degree the mill cutting way so you go on the side way of the mill not on the underside?

[@carriwarren9828]

I enjoyed watching your video! Mallets are stunning!

[@facefromegypt5735]

You are always creative in all the works that you display through this channel

[@gustarrezende]

They are awesome, specially the one with bamboo. Just love it!

[@alexschmidt3692]

Where I work at (Indiana) we also get steel shipped in on various hardwoods (mostly red oak, rarely maple, some softer poplar). I built my workbench out of 200lb worth of free red oak

[@thedeloachsdoyoutube8377]

Another beautiful set of mallets, sir. I remember the first video when you did the stop animation, and they creeped around your shop. Make On my Friend Maker 238

[@ThompsonsWorkshop]

Frank, beautiful mallets. Check for Apitong suppliers in your area. It's a wood commonly used as decking in commercial big rig trailers. Reasonably affordable when purchased in bulk, but you may be able to get off cuts from tractor trailer repair shops.

[@frankmakes]

Thanks, I will have to look into that.

[@SawyerDesign]

Wait, Portland Oregon?! Are you local? That’s awesome!

[@pathardage1880]

great project. thanks. I love free/found wood.

[@chad10006]

Just received the mallet! Thanks Frank!

[@FarbulousCreations]

I've been hoping you made more mallets since I missed out on buying one in the last batch. As such, I've been following your tweets and whatnot on the Mallet Factory very closely over the past few weeks and I'm happy to say I was able to snag one right when this video went live! So excited to have a Frank Howarth original to inspire me.😊Cheers Frank!

[@Arborensis]

Where are these for sale at? ive been looking around for a link!

[@Dysiode]

@@Arborensis They were on his Etsy: FrankMakes, but pretty much instantly sold out it seems

[@cgstadler]

Frank - do the spinning wheels of the stay scare you at all? Seems like it would be easy to get something sucked into them.

[@danielhayes9274]

We used to get our steel on that same wood. I think we referred to it as aptung. We used it for truck and trailer beds and all kind of different things around the Plant. Very Hard, and heavy.

[@elluisito000]

Hi! That looks like what we call in my country algarrobo (hymanaea courbaril), very hard qnd dense wood, it wouls be ideal for musical instruments, but is very hard on the tools, and the dust created while sanding is somehow irritant too. The few times I used it I used beeswax. Very nice mallets!

[@williamkerr3350]

Pretty to watch as always Frank.

[@510BIGD]

I wish I'd seen this video years ago...lol as a flatbed trucker that had hauled hundreds of loads of steel I have literally thrown away 1000s of board feet of that wood. It's as hard as rock or steel. Tried using it as firewood, but it burns with a really low btu and it wasn't worth it so I'd always throw it out...sorry. Glad you found a purpose for it. great job.

[@Imwright720]

I sold all but a few hand tools, don’t miss it. I still enjoy watching someone else. We looked at a piece of wood furniture yesterday and all I could think was I could make it better with real wood. That’s what happened the first time around.

[@williamellis8993]

Those all look great, Frank. Have you ever watched Michael Alm's channel where he makes patterned plywood? You reminded me of that. Bill

[@timbone4925]

Frank, I'm in the UK where crates used for importing Indian sandstone (used for paving and patios) use this type of hardwood, the quality can be a bit "hit and miss" but I've used it in projects, even the odd mallet or two!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Super film. The mallets are gorgeous. Love the bamboo pattern. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@rogertaylor712]

Don’t forget to account for (not that you need to) the time spent in the CAD and CAM to save the time on the CNC. Nice work Frank

[@1crazypj]

That was fascinating, never thought of carving mallets being 'art'

[@petermacander5039]

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! BRAVO! WHERE CAN SOMEONE BUY YOUR BEAUTIFUL MALLETS?

[@mattroelfs4492]

Hey Frank, I own a steel rollforming business in Iowa. A while ago, I had a shipment of coils from Brazil. Very interesting dunnage that I tried to keep some, kind of an orange color and very hard. If you would like to discuss, please reply. I would definitely share some if you're interested and maybe help you find some locally. Thank you for your wonderful videos, I've enjoyed them for years now!

[@railfan439]

Frank: As dunnage coming into Portland, there is no customs duty required. It's just packaging. As lumber, coming in from Canada, there may be. There might also be problems with Department of Agriculture about importing tropical hardwoods. USDA and ICE are the first places I would contact before I spent any money. Thanks for the video.

[@davefrancis4529]

Frank, amazing job on the mallets. Such a joy to watch your entire vids, from the weird to the practical. Even though I don’t share your aesthetic preference on a lot of projects, I have to admire the workmanship, precision and your ability to pivot during “happy accidents”. I hope you are able to share some of your knowledge on the vast array of learning platforms and I wish you every success going forward. I’ve really enjoyed watching your channel for the past few years. 👍🏼

[@donnecheli2721]

You should try to source some Australian hardwood, very dense hard and full of chatoyancy

[@hsjawanda]

Brilliant, as always! Really liked how the plywood mallets turned out and am also partial to the walnut "cross" handles. You are an engineer & artist combined into one person.

[@Ziptietechnician]

I can respect a guy with two radial arm saw setups..

[@lisahodges8299]

It would be interesting to see Franks' take on Habus ' coffee spoon. These markets are beautiful. Birdy

[@bgpappy30]

They all are very beautiful. I’d love to have one of them ( not to use) but to have as a masterpiece in my shelve of my projects. Thank you for sharing Frank.

[@chefgoldielocs]

I get so excited when you post a new video 😁🖤❤️🖤

[@ericselstad8257]

Fantastic video Frank!! I really enjoy all of your creations, keep it up!!

[@macedindu829]

Geez those look amazing! Great work as always!

[@MCsCreations]

Really beautiful work, Frank! They look amazing! 😃 I hope you can find that wood again! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@acehighdan]

I imagine that whatever wood you were sourcing from portland now going to Chinada didnt go very far, so i assume its likely coming here to B.C. Chinada, maybe you could find where that wood is now going and then just take a trip here from time to time, i think the trip is like 4-5 hours

[@broncota2210]

I didn't realize you were in oregon till this vid. Love your stuff

[@DanKoning777]

Didn't you hear the sirens and gunshots in the background? ;)

[@kensutton174]

Use whatever tools necessary to achieve the outcome. no one will be the wiser. These are beautiful works of art, the recipients will be honored to have!👍🙏💙💪✌ Keep on making!

[@chad10006]

Ordered one! Thanks!

[@ALPACABOWLCOMPANY]

Fun project. Appreciate your sharing.

[@NorsewoodBows]

Very pretty mallets💪 I always find your videos so soothing and calm, and I really like to relax watching them...I noticed that some of your disks and bamboo squares is sliding around a bit, when you are gluing and clamping them...Try a small drizzle of fine salt, and they won't slide around on you. Just a little tip👌 Great vids, as always💪

[@Matt-lm6ym]

The mallet video is still my favorite.

[@MrBubbajohnson1]

Do you ever sell any? Thanks They are beautiful!

[@bewareofattackchef]

there's a port in Kalama washington that receives steel shipments about once a month. Not sure if they sell dunnage wood but might be a possibility.

[@chad10006]

Usually it's free, just have to find a place that has a pile of it sitting on the side.

[@ernestobenfatto8293]

Hi, great work!! Congratulations.. How buy a mallets ? Thanks

[@joschkawiencke8413]

In 0:32 there are two different types of Wood. I don't know the upper one but the lower one is defnetly Afzelia wood. It will be hard to get tho because of overuse.

[@JohnKrakatoa]

love the plywood woven effect

[@GCaF]

So... no sale for those? :) They look so cool I would grab a couple...

[@TheIronMoose]

i love your shop

[@sethhamilton5824]

Interesting you mention that wood coming to Canada. I have an endless supply of it from a rebar company (here in Canada) I have a stack drying in my barn. I’m not even sure what some of the woods are, some seem like white oak. Did the metal staining dull your jointer?

[@rodneymiller5141]

I'm curious about how long each mallet took you compared to how long turning a mallet on the lathe would have taken. Would your way be longer, shorter, or about the same amount of time?

[@danproposkanovovski]

I wonder whether you could put the tape on the wheels of the steady rather than on every individual object. IIUC the rubber of the wheel is leaving these marks?

[@PerikovRemont]

❤👍😊

[@My-little-Corner]

Hi frank, How do you heat your shop during the winter? I really enjoy your videos thanks so much.

[@andrewl9472]

It’s kind of interesting that that hardwood isn’t reused for shipping again. I would think that it would be cheaper to pile up the lumber as shipments come in then occasionally send a container of it back instead of paying to have new wood cut and milled just to be used for shipping.

[@AquaPeet]

The mallets look really awesome! Would be cool if you could join the handle block to the head block with even finer spokes! Kinda like saw blade width splines / box joints star shaped.

[@frankmakes]

that would be cool. now you have me thinking about how to do that.

[@rl8631]

Frank, your work is amazing, and your workshop is the envy of many, but most of us mere mortals don't have, nor ever will have your CNC set up. Have you / would you consider making a perspex/arcyrlic template to sell to your subscribers, that we may use with a hand router and guide system to make a mallet ourselves? I'm in OZ and we have some seriously hard timber down this way, Iron Bark, Buloke, and Gidgee to name a few. Please let me know (and im sure a few out there would be saying " yes please uncle Frank!! can you?")

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Nice mallets, thanks for sharing.

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

This is a wonderful vid. I learned a lot. Thanks Frank. You got my sub quickly.

[@rafezetter8003]

Are they all sold out already? Bloody hell, that's crazy.

[@alanbarrington733]

Frank, thank you for this Vid. The best part of Sunday is watching the new offerings. On a different note. Are you familiar with the company Richlite? They produce amazing man made flat panels. I just got a sample package of their products. Plus all of them are Washington state produced and made of paper.