85 - Life Size Thor's Hammer Movie Prop from Solid Lignum Vitae Densest Wood on Earth

ep 85 - Life Size Thor's Hammer Movie Prop from Solid Lignum Vitae Densest Wood on Earth
Free plans can be found here:
kingsfinewoodw...
A viewer of ours requested one of our life size Thor’s Hammers but he had a unique request, he wanted to head and handle made out of all Lignum Vitae. Lignum is pretty rare and it is the densest wood on earth, so this was definitely going to be a showpiece hammer.
I thought it would look nice with some deep red Padauk accents. Those were incorporated on the handle and the top of the hammer head.
Follow along as we create this for him. And don’t forget your free set of plans.
Things used for this project:
Tools:
Grizzly Jointer - amzn.to/3j09TAk
Microjig Grr-Ripper Table Saw Pushblock - amzn.to/3XQ7I1y
Grizzly Cabinet Table Saw - amzn.to/3wXwzo1
Rockler Silicone Glue Kit - amzn.to/3HXbbWs
Bessey 24" Parallel Clamp - amzn.to/3XOyl6u
Hand Sanding Block - amzn.to/3Rnsx1F
Best Carbide Forstner drill bits - amzn.to/2zdGZ3e
Machinist Engineer Solid Square - amzn.to/3l22Mb2
Grizzly Planer - amzn.to/3x2v20l
Festool Kapex Sliding Miter Saw - amzn.to/3DvoCdC
Kreg Trak and Stops Kit - amzn.to/3ZVgnkB
Kreg Self-Adhesive Measuring Tape - amzn.to/3DGNpLU
Festool Random Orbit Sander - amzn.to/3jjpqv8
Center Finding Ruler - amzn.to/3YaSljN
Grizzly Drill Press - amzn.to/3jki7n6
Grizzly Bandsaw - amzn.to/3XUUobR
Wood Glue Dispenser - amzn.to/3D94pKz
SUIZAN Japanese Dozuki Dovetail Hand Saw 6 Inch Pull Saw Tenon Saw - amzn.to/3iZY2Cl
Materials:
Titebond III Glue - amzn.to/3wvDDIh
Sandpaper Set 5-Inch - amzn.to/3Wygb7S
5 Inch 9 Hole 120 Grit Sanding Disc Compatible with Festool Sanders by toolant - 50 Pack - amzn.to/3XQduQA
5 Inch 9 Hole 150 Grit Sanding Disc Compatible with Festool Sanders by toolant - 50 Pack - amzn.to/3DwITiV
5 Inch 9 Hole 80 Grit Sanding Disc Compatible with Festool Sanders by toolant - 50 Pack - amzn.to/3HM9DOX
Acetone - amzn.to/3JuEWPq
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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[@franciscobarajas2378]

beautiful hammer, nice video

[@snoopyfix2]

Fun project! That thing is a beast!

[@FinanceMan]

Damn fine work. Only thing I’d have added since you have a lathe is grips on the handle.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

A lovely piece of work but I can't shift the feeling that all that lignum would have been far better used for making a bunch of carving or round mallets that would actually get used. To me, lignum is unparalleled for making fine mallets. They are so sweet to use and will last several lifetimes if not abused.

[@GeeksWoodShop]

Very interesting to see the sequence you use for shaping the head. You always use beautiful combinations of colors.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you my friend! How have you been?

[@GeeksWoodShop]

@@KingsFineWoodworking Distracted... Far too distracted by work and life. Keep thinking I need to commit to some consistency, and not doing it. Got 4-5 projects done and waiting to be edited. Lame.. Anyway, that's the YT life, otherwise, life is pretty great, so hey, thank goodness for that. :)

[@the_crafty_studio_official]

LOVE IT!!

[@cliffordsbee]

Love it. Awesome Job Everyone.

[@thomasarussellsr]

That would be a great timber-framer's mallet.

[@ivokolarik8290]

👍

[@wb_finewoodworking]

That turned out great James and girls. I like the choice of contrasting wood.

[@mkdesignsfinewoodworking]

Very cool!

[@anonymousgeorge4321]

Nice one.

[@tallboy12]

I like the irony of storing such a big hammer right above the First aid box :-)

[@chriskildun8810]

Good job, nice to see teamwork. Thank you.

[@zavoina]

Always great watching the masters work.

[@BaronvonBavert]

great work !!!

[@fightmilk69]

One watch on each wrist?

[@andrewpowell6457]

James as always a fantastic project. what a beast of a Hammer

[@KPH101]

Do you plan on making Stormbreaker?

[@glenngoodale1709]

Thanks for the video. Peace

[@kurtsimmons1587]

Working with wood can be a relaxing job! I’ll have to check out your website! It is great that you have a woodworking community.

[@jamesspruill1040]

What were your fence settings for making the 45 and 30 degree cuts?

[@QUERBEET-DIES-UND-DAS]

One of the most beautiful hammers I have ever seen! 👌

[@smithsoncreationshandcraft5770]

Very cool that is awesome!!

[@aaronblakely5873]

Hi James, that's excellent work. Might be worth collecting thst paduk dust and then gifting it to someone in a glass jar labelled Kashmiri Chilli Powder

[@rhihodag9873]

Nice project! When you were turning/drilling the paduk on the lathe, I swear I could smell it! Love the smell of paduk when cutting or milling it.

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for showing how and sharing that, well done, art work

[@j316finewoodworking6]

Beautiful as always...Acetone tip was very helpful 👍

[@SendItBilly]

Mineral spirits can clean just as well?

[@mtpoland]

Can you still get Lignum Vitae? I've been looking for a green hardwood for some other projects.

[@l1verm0m]

Great video James and family - what a beast. I can imagine some timber framers that would love to have it if they could bear to use it and possibly damage its beauty 😉😉

[@thomasarussellsr]

My thought as well. Be a great one handed commander mallet. However, if I was planning to use it for such a task, I would have turned some lignum dowels and put several across each seam inside the head to help from shearing the glue And maybe some deep set butterflies across the seams on the outside. Maybe a barrel type strap around each end? Something to ensure it stays together when pounding heavy timber joints together.

[@l1verm0m]

Thomas Russell Yes I would agree plus adding weight for some of those tight fitting joints ....

[@rongoldberg8174]

Great channel and love the family effort. Where on earth do you live where you have access to huge chunks of exotic woods?

[@kimdavis3835]

Cool!

[@TravisJaneway]

Thanks James! I have a comparable hunk of Jatoba I was contemplating making a Thor's hammer out of so the free plans are much appreciated! Great video as always!

[@ludwigbarnes3058]

Awesome job everyone! Is that a new Kapex? 😏

[@borealpatriot1502]

Wow ... a new lathe! Does Grizzly know you've gone rogue? Beautiful product and great video.

[@MrWizards1974]

Yeah and seeing a lot of Festool in this video. What gives?

[@borealpatriot1502]

@@MrWizards1974 They're upgrading. I'm happy for them.

[@MrWizards1974]

@@borealpatriot1502 "upgrading" Well that's a matter of opinion but i'm happy to see that they are not brand fanboys.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

MrWizards1974, we moved to Festool sanders & chop saw because the dust collection is much improved. Even with respirators in use, I didn’t like a cloudy shop after 4 hours of sanding. That problem was eliminated with the Festool sanders. And the chopsaw isn’t perfect with dust collection, but it’s still quite a bit better than the Bosch or the DeWalt. I gave t noticed any cut improvement. But we were really seeking a cleaner shop with these purchases. I just wish they weren’t so expensive. Because as always, we have no sponsorships. And we pay 100% for every tool in our shop.

[@24077631519]

like

[@michaellundy3551]

Beautiful work. I just ordered two of the full size multi-species mallets and a mid- sized mallet.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi Michael, thank you!!

[@michaell7877]

James, where did you get the 3” size wood? I can’t find anyone around here to buy some. Ty..

[@reggiejenkins6458]

This looks a lot more solid than the hammer I made from ligma balls.

[@johnnyking2965]

Makes me wanna build one now! LOL

[@toolsconsumables7055]

Dear James, Yet another master piece from the Maestro's workshop. This must be the most expensive decorative hammer to date. On another note had you kept your Bosch mitre saw, the issue of turning the wood over several times would have been totally redundant but I guess you just fancied something new in it's place. Very well done. Kind regards.

[@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP]

Hey my Brother awesome job I love it and my Son loves it too Bro,I will see you later take care Family Wepaaaaaa :)

[@johndeere6107]

When did the Kapex show up in the shop?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Zach Keller, It was a late Christmas present for me. But we had honestly been wanting one since I saw a demo of one last year. I’m really trying to cut down on the dust in the shop, and the Kapex pulls 10 times the dust up vs the Bosch. Actually 10x more than any chop saw I’ve ever had or used.

[@johndeere6107]

I bet it’s great to have. I have also heard the dust collection is a lot better for a miter saw. Thanks for the info. Enjoy the new tool

[@djlalorocks]

would you use acetone as a wood cleaner in general or just for oily woods?

[@Psychlist1972]

Many tools were dulled to bring you this mallet.

[@aoife8415]

looks great! how do you like all your new festool stuff?

[@mojo6524]

what happened to your big 12" bosch chop saw?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

We are seriously trying to cut down on the sawdust in the shop this year. And after I saw this Festool chop saw at a demo, I was sold by how much dust it picked up. The Bosch could run a year and not fill the vacuum below it. This thing gets 20 times the dust of the Bosch. I don’t think it’s particularly better, (at least for what we do), but I spent the extra money to save the kid’s lungs.

[@travisoliver3811]

@@KingsFineWoodworking I'll buy your Bosch if you still have it!

[@hansborgdesing]

Thats a heavy "Mjølner"

[@exotic-woods]

Excellent job...Lignum is one of my favorite woods, so hard, and heavy...before it went to CITES II it was used to make ship shafts (kind of bearings)...When you worked with it did you notice a long lasting smell in the workshop?

[@bigoldgrizzly]

Nowhere near as bad as turning bog oak - that smells of dog poop .... and a sick dog at that!

[@exotic-woods]

@@bigoldgrizzly It is actually not a bad smell, it is a good one, I was just checking if it was a strong smell, because that would mean probably the wood is not LV but Argentine LV - Bulnesia Arborea-Sarmientoi

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@exotic-woods OK thanks

[@keithspencersr.6806]

So, when are you going to do your own “storm Break” Hammer, lol.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Keith Spencer Sr., Soon I promise!!

[@walterrider9600]

thank you King . nice job that lignum vitae is interesting wood . by any chance do you know if it comes in different sizes for sale . not the best internet searcher at my age . i saw heard a piece once had the sound of a clear bell when struck should make a nice sounding acoustic guitar .

[@williamellis8993]

Great project. Did you consider urethane glue? It works well with oily wood.

[@MichaelCampbell01]

Have you ever tried mineral spirits for cleaning instead of acetone? Any opinions on it?

[@user-gt6uq1nl4s]

Молот Тора средство для увеличения потенции. Покупайте Молот Тора и вы всегда будете удовлетворены проделанной работой.

[@ralfb8869]

As for all your work well done and yes I would not like to swing it either. ;)

[@ZeakkBeats]

I have a bunch of purple heart, but mines not that purple at all, it's more brown. Any tips to help me get mine to look more like yours?

[@SteelDoesMyWill]

Where do you source Lignum Vitae in that size?

[@Yardbird70546]

Newby woody here, I have a question. I see that you use acetone for the exotic woods, can you use acetone on "local" woods, like hickory, pine etc?

[@huwdavies5264]

Great hammer. How long did it take you get your workshop back from being orange? Cheers, Huw

[@jaimeecaballeros9742]

Hey James, did you change your Bosch saw for a Festool brand saw?

[@gotwoodwoodworking7115]

Did you order the wood online? I’m looking for a good source of the really rare wood like that.

[@muhaiminchoudhury2866]

2:39 what is the price of a single lignum vitae wood block those ones?

[@andrewdouglas6325]

How do I buy one of those Thor Hammers

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi Andrew, here is a link for them on our website. I have just enough Lignum Vitae left to make one. It’s not being imported into the US anymore, because it is now on the endangered & threatened lists. I can also make the accent pieces any wood you like, they don’t have to be the orange/red Padauk. kingsfinewoodworking.com/collections/thors-hammer-woodworking-mallets/products/lignum-vitae-exotic-wood-thor-s-hammer-life-size

[@andrewdouglas6325]

@@KingsFineWoodworking thank you and I also checked out the link that you put in the description for the plans to make one that was very useful

[@andrewdouglas6325]

@@KingsFineWoodworking and I enjoy watching your videos I like that one where you were made the one for Ragnarok

[@andrewdouglas6325]

@@KingsFineWoodworking also request for you to make another video on making stormbreaker

[@jameslanham8189]

I was wondering where your daughter got her Xmen t-shirt from??

[@alfredneumann4692]

Boy, with this thing you make a cow headaches.

[@viscache1]

When using acetone, japan drier, naphtha or denatured alcohol always use gloves to avoid skin contact. Skin absorption can damage the liver.

[@Psychlist1972]

The Denatured Alcohol doesn't really go with the others, there. Agreed on the acetone, though, but really only because it dries out the skin by cleaning out the oils, and can be really irritating over time. I've never heard of it ruining your liver through skin absorption. None of the MSDS warn against that. Getting it in your lungs is bad, though, and *that* can eventually cause liver damage, after high doses. Note also that your body naturally produces acetone. If you fast, or if you have type 2 diabetes, you likely produce quite a bit of it.

[@joachimsingh2929]

Just let the glue dry of for 15 minutes then you can just scrape it of without making such a mess. And what a shame that you didn't just plane all four sides with a shallow cut instead of wasting on the bandsaw and then again on the ends with the poor glue up. Also why not dowel it when using fat wood? Nobody will see it since it will be done on the inside.. or use a jig for dovetailing? That And glue and they will never come apart

[@ALWhiteAuthor]

Hey, James... why'd you ditch the Bosch miter saw and go with the outrageously overpriced Festool? Sponsorship deal?

[@jesseslone8714]

AZ Patriot he stated somewhere else it was a Christmas gift

[@AlbiesProductsOnline]

What ever happened to there can’t ever be to much glue I never thought I would hear you say you might have used to much glue for the joint please let me know what happened to change your mind

[@eddiestipe2009]

Thank you to you and your staff for another excellent video. Enjoyed them very much please keep them coming. By the way where did you get the big blocks of lignum vitea and Paduca ?

[@DragonGateDesign]

Looks awesome. How much would this cost for a client? It's kind of sad seen such rare or old growth woods

[@lauriemcconnell4172]

Actually the forth hardest wood in the world based on the Janka hardness scale. 4. Lignum vitae A trade wood, lignum vitae comes from trees of the genus Guaiacum which are indigenous to the Caribbean as well as the northern coast of South America. This wood has been used since the 16th century, combining strength, density and toughness at an impressive 4,500 lbf in the Janka hardness test. 😉 Here’s the first hardest wood in the world - 1. Australian Buloke An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf. Great video. Your work as well as your daughter’s is fabulous. Thanks 🙏

[@josephblazei1126]

Densest, not hardest. There's a difference.

[@OrangesII]

Hey James, just an FYI, when ever you stop speaking. I can hear you double click your mouse. Not sure if you were aware or not so :)

[@toysoldier46552]

That wasn't nearly enough glue lol. Looks great, I on the other hand had rotator cuff surgery, so I'm down for a few months.

[@imrekocsis4614]

aah shit Dad not another hammer video. But seriously nice work thanks.

[@TaniaMade]

How do you remove glue from your shop rags? I always have such a hard time

[@dontgetmadgetwise4271]

LOL

[@Eddygeek18]

the orange does not go with the greenish tinted wood at all. Looks bad, and you should of measured for the center disc. It's way off center (By like 7-12mm)

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

I agree. They definitely look ugly together. That’s the main reason we chose this combination. But more importantly how much off is the disc? 7mm or 12mm? I’m gonna need you to be more precise. Thanks for your assistance.

[@ldhenderson95]

@@KingsFineWoodworking well of course ugly is the only way to go and seriously who measures anything?! Just wing it, you can always just add glue later.

[@lad60606]

Stick to Minecraft, bud.

[@indeterminate]

*should have