The Prefect Mallet

[@evanhawk2574]

I made 2 jointers mallet one day,in my 20's. The first was one my favorites. It was hickory or white oak. #2 I made big (from a micro laminate beam that got cut down. It as a beast. My modern 2 favorite is the opening one like you showed. & a big tough lead weighted leather. Today I used a hollow poly roller. Instead of covering end with leather,I made the 2nd style you showed. Then filled with lead

[@ZTTINGS]

Couldn’t help but laugh when I saw “perfection” everywhere and the title is “the PREFECT mallet”. Yeah I know I’ll get flamed but it’s the little things that lift your day lol. Interesting video by the way, thanks for the content 😉

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Thanks. It would not be a wood by wright video without a bit of spelling fun!

[@johnbesharian9965]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo " ...Nothing is perfect ... "? Except the wife. A fact that should never go unmentioned. Right?

[@keithc1335]

Your ability to deliver concise, precision information, in a short amount of time is incredible. Our brains work very similar. Love the channel!

[@charitiekbyrd1]

😂😂😂 love the Princess Bride reference! Way to hammer out that video too. And yes, we are all weirdos in our own ways. Stay safe and Happy Building 💯😁

[@makenchips]

Another fun video by WBW! I enjoy his discussion that are truly honest and transparent. No hidden agenda with James! A true woodworker's friend! Gald, He has this channel! Columbus Michigan

[@onebackzach]

The ideal impact tool is whatever wrench, screwdriver handle, or heavy item happens to be within arm's reach.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

so true!

[@jimr9921]

I've made several mallets for myself and woodworking friends. I often use exotics like purple heart or padauk. Those are both heavy and hard,. as well as attractive. Some of the folks use them as mallets for joinery and such. About half of them are displayed as art. Contrasting woods make them interesting.

[@georgenewlands9760]

I have used a traditional joiners mallet for chiselling and a rubber mallet for assembly work. More recently I followed Paul Sellers recommendation of the Thorex mallet. It has a hard nylon face which delivers a lot of percussive energy to a chisel and a softer rubber face for assembly work. I really like the thorex, used like a hammer it really delivers a hefty blow but choked up it gives great control. That said, I have some friends who are keen bowlers (the outdoor bowling green type) and I’m hoping to acquire some old bowls, traditionally made from lignum vitae, to try and make my own mallet head.

[@jlmfoy365]

I bought the Veritas Brass carving mallet simply because it's proportions are beautiful and I love it. Sad but true 😂. Regards Jim UK.

[@jscarborough9928]

I accidentally made a soft mallet. I was splitting firewood from a tree a neighbor cut down, and I noticed that the grain pattern was beautiful, so I made a mallet. Turns out that pepper tree wood is one of the softest hardwoods... once it's dry. (Also makes lousy firewood)

[@wyssmaster]

Just tell everyone it's strictly decorative

[@TheBottegaChannel]

New Leatherworking tool then! You can use it to stretch the grain of leather by basically forging the peice into effect. ( One of the few instances where water would work better then fire for forging.)

[@johnwillis9511]

I keep going back to the first cheap mallet i bought when learning. Also I most often use a rubber mallet for dovetails, don't laugh until you try it. Yes you are right, my best mallets are the ones I made, my best turns out to be made from a chunky corner of a pallet, unknown wood. In UK we also have a tool called a Mel😐 often a long handled hammer either wood or more common metal. Thanks again😷

[@whittysworkshop982]

My first ever project was making a joiners type mallet......I had fallen in love with Bocote so I made the mallet from that, it is really hard and dense, plus it looks amazing :) I then used said mallet to move my chisels while making my second project...a bench :) Keep up the good work James and Sarah......I enjoy your videos :)

[@the_attic_woodworker]

My second project (first was the workbench) has been a Paul Sellers mallett, great experience

[@TheBeeFactory]

My favorite joiners mallet is made out of an old piece of pine. I had made a "nicer" one out of maple and purpleheart, but it dents my work too much. The pine is old (about 150+ years) and super tight grained, so it's harder than some brand new block from the store, but soft enough not to mar my work. Like you said, some people would call me a heretic for that, but it works for me and what I do.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Love it.

[@TheBottegaChannel]

Recently I made a japanese dog head style mallet out of oak for a neighborhood kid who recently had his birthday. I let him know " Don't nail your brother with that. Use it for making things move into place, not as a persuasive point to arguments, and have fun.". His dad got a kick out of that.

[@Eulemunin]

The princess bride reference was the reason I subscribed.

[@chestergelnett1688]

we use to get bowling pins and remove the plastic skin then turn it on a lathe to the shape we wanted. Also cut it down to size since it is kinda big. The inside has some type of foam for the pin action which gives a different kind of mallet.

[@pausaniasofithaca6325]

Hey James! I enjoyed the video. Very helpful discussion of hammers vs. mallets and the merits of various mallet designs. I'm working on a joiner's mallet right now and I've been referring to your older joiner's mallet videos. I was lucky enough to get some Osage orange from a free firewood listing on Craigslist for the head. I'll also be taking a wood turning class soon and plan to turn a chisel mallet as well. I definitely ascribe to the philosophy that "perfection is not a location, it's a direction," but I've never heard it said quite so succinctly.

[@The_Shiny_Red_Dingus_of_Mingus]

As if I couldn't like this channel enough, you put a "Princess Bride" reference in the outro.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

That's what I'm here for.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic tips, James! Thanks a lot! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@makenchips]

Very well said about perfection! I need to absorb it - I'm the perfectionist side of the fence!

[@criswilson1140]

The perfect mallet is...the next one I make, or maybe the next one.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

that is so true!

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo the split face mallet is also called a machinists mallet

[@MrAtfenn]

i will be turning a second, smaller carving mallet soon, making the 'impossible' or 'lincoln' mallet and a smaller cabinet mallet with the compression handle. always good to have the right size, shape and material for any need plus, making mallets is fun

[@carlgustafson213]

A) Bocce ball - hand-holdable size, nice dense hardwood. One of the used tool dealers occasionally has them on his list. B) Crucible tools Lump Hammer. If you wanted a new, made in the USA mini sledge. C) In a pinch, you could use the sole of your wooden shop shoe, I suppose. :-)

[@S8tan7]

I use nearly exclusively turned mallets, initially because I'm a turner but because I'm so used to them I don't really like your typical english pattern joiners mallet. Purely a preference, but those are my perfect mallets

[@mirkondt9711]

Who wants to find the perfect, it is a great excuse to make or buy more tools, making ir easier to justify to the better half. 😉...Great vid as always

[@Drackeye]

Once again, like any other tool, the perfect mallet is whatever is the right one for the job.

[@CleaveMountaineering]

Or whichever one is closest.

[@jonalanswartzfager4520]

This video is awesome! So glad I came across this while searching for information on mallets. I love how detailed your explanations are. Watching this I felt that I had been transported to a woodworking master class. I just subscribed. Keep up the good work! Cheers. P.S. thank you for the princess bride reference. That movie is a hallmark of my childhood.

[@scottswineford6714]

Somewhere I have a joiners mallet, I think I know its approximate location. My two carving mallets live at opposite ends of the tool tray on my bench. Most commonly I grab the taller one, both are 3" in diameter, the head is 4" tall and contains 6oz of lead and has an 18" long handle that fits my hand. The other is 2" tall, unweighted and has an 8" handle, used primarily with V gouges and small straight carving tools.

[@wemike]

Thanks for this James. I appreciate the perspective you give on the different varieties of mallets. Particularly useful for extrapolating from the limited set of mallets I have tried ;)

[@corwin32]

“Persuade”. I like that. I picture a big goon with a mallet saying, “Boss thinks you should move, you get me?”

[@johnmm]

Paul Sellers recommends a nylon mallet (chisel hammer as he calls it) 31-712R Thorex Nylon Hammer. It is nice, but the other mallets James covers here are just as dandy. And making your own mallet is a good learning exercise. And if you have your skills down - try a Lincoln Mallet.

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

That outro is GWAAATE!

[@daviddickason6729]

Is a prefect mallet what one uses to bash a prefect? Did you go to an English boarding school? - No, actually, thank you for an informative video once again.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Lol now I need to find a perfect to beat down with a mallet.

[@brucematthews6417]

The proper number for hammers and mallets is N+1 where "N" is how many you have right now.... And the right one for each job does make things more fun. And the same equation applies to many other pieces of shop or related kit.... I call it "Shiny Object Syndrome" or SOS.

[@catedoge3206]

"perfection is a direction not a location" chad

[@sabotage7369]

Made one of these for my dad out of Ipe in high school. really heavy mallet

[@AwenLutherieCustomGuitars]

"What is the perfect Mallet?" "Yes"

[@Nicoya]

“Perfection is not a location” Perfection, North Carolina has entered the chat.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Lol yeah I guess I'm wrong.

[@splashpit]

Proceeds to give directions to Perfection .

[@ramingr]

Hey James! :) Perfection is indeed a direction, well said!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

congrats on first!

[@CleaveMountaineering]

I usually just use a cheap rubber mallet I got at an estate sale. Works fine for chisels, but does leave black marks on whatever you hit.

[@johnsobj]

Thx. The split head looks like a great fit. Has been ordered.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Have fun. I love thumping things with mine.

[@shanekep]

i made my first mallet from recycled milk cartons with a beech handle.

[@buuam7555]

Nice

[@crazyfly5505]

Hey James, I would very much appreciate a video on types of wood for types of mallets. For example (I think it was Rex Kruger) someone said not to use Osage orange for a joiners mallet because the end grain will shred however it makes a neat little carving chisel that will last forever. What woods are ideal for beetles, fro mallets etc.?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

That would be a long video. But it would be a fun one.

[@iainbrown4945]

i was looking for the prefect mallet

[@MrAtfenn]

oooh i have a rawhide mallet with the cast iron head. you inspired me to make a two sided pine/maple head for it to change to. sadly or happily i have every kind of hammer/mallet you have there....

[@markab5019]

Hammers are for mostly striking metal. Mallets are for wood.

[@winterroadspokenword4681]

If you need more force you hold the tool by the end of the handle as is intended by the length of the handle lol. You often don’t need to pick up a heavier hammer/mallet lol

[@markdmaker3173]

Nice video, very helpful

[@wolfman75]

I am still working on mine!!! Thank You For The Info!!!! 🤫👍😎

[@pleappleappleap]

That dweam WITHIN a dweam!

[@onsapplikasies8620]

Very informative. Thanks James

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Idky but one of my favorite things to make

[@mikethompson6713]

A perfect mallet is the one you have in you hand 👍

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Well said!

[@kauhisthehorrorguy]

My deepest apologies for bothering, but is "prefect" a typo or have i stumbled across a new word in the English language? I'd like to know. Excellent mallets tho, i use my joiners mallet both the way in the video and sideways for carving and gentle processes

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Thanks. It's a running gag on the channel.

[@Joe___R]

I prefer my jointers mallet I made from ipe it weights about 5lbs and I have 1 face covered in leather.

[@cmoore7723]

Isn't likely that a round headed mallet can/could slip off the chisel when it's struck?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

You would think that it would, but the friction is high enough that it is not a problem. one of those things that are counterintuitive.

[@walterrider9600]

thank you James . you never enough stuff in life lol

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

LOL so true!

[@beautifulsmall]

Would love to see how to drill a wooden head for a tapered hammer handle

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Here is an older video on that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYCXgqeggtqBarM and here is a live build along video making one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIu6iZiNlpebgck

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Thanks!

[@dalewysinger3077]

Good information!

[@JT-hw6mq]

Thanks so much for this. Do you have an opinion on the Japanese shop hammers?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

they make great plane setting hammers!

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I made two round carver mallets and have used black walnut and black cherry but they seem to crack on me. What am i doing wrong

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Where is the crack and what caused it? Feel free to send me an email with pictures I'd be glad to help. [e-mail]

[@franky47]

I just found a rawhide mallet at a flea market, the head is grimy and gunky, any tips on how to restore it (or at least clean it up)?

[@TomBuskey]

I made one with a 3" diameter osage orange branch with the bark for the head

[@silver-hy6mi]

James I love little 3oz hammer! I have one to from great Uncle, is there anyway to trace to handle and send it a a PDF please.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

sure send me an email and I can send the picture back.

[@silver-hy6mi]

Thanks James, my email is [e-mail] many thanks!

[@joaquinperez7567]

Excelente...

[@matthewsabin1841]

the perfect mallet Is the one that fits your hand and needs

[@6980869]

What was that first word that u said in your last line…. You know, The Princess Bride reference? It sounded like u said merit. If you did, then u gotta watch it again(Maowidge). Although the line seems a little inappropriate for the occasion, I really dont give a shit since it’s a quote from the Princess bride, one of the best love stories of all time. Literally any line from it, i love.

[@catedoge3206]

prefect

[@JamesVanderVeen]

What angle is on the head of your joiners mallet?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Someware around 5-9 degrees. I normally just eyeball it. I have several videos on making them if you want to see more detail.

[@JamesVanderVeen]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo I'll check those out

[@kennethbezanson4266]

Perfect or prefect? Might want to change the video title

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Welcome to Wood By Wright. We have a lot of fun with spelling around here. There's usually something fun in the title card. A lot of the regulars look forward to seeing what I can come up with week to week.

[@maharajsinghsaini693]

Nice

[@robertmccluskey1076]

While not the subject of this video…do you know of a source to buy tapered brass ferrules

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Unfortunately no, I don't.

[@n0z1t25]

the perfect video

[@jeffdutton1910]

got it, got it need it

[@SteveC38]

Well Said!

[@214rwoz]

thank you

[@ringeradi]

Why do mallets have an angled face?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

So that the face hits flat. Your hand naturally leads the swing.

[@ringeradi]

Thanks!

[@timconway2810]

Prefect?

[@chestinerenaebullardcooper1083]

Skills

[@tonyhawk1948]

It might seem like a joke but for the longest time I used just a stick as a mallet

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

yup. I did that too!

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

Me three! In fact, I have a stick (I believe it is Russian Olive) that works BETTER than the mallet I made! That is either because the mallet weighs less, or because it looks like Thor's hammer and the face creates too much drag...

[@weldabar]

If you hold a mallet close to the head, then why even have a longer handle?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Because it balances it out and makes it easier on the wrist. When you drive a a nail with a hammer you'll be making a half dozen swings at most. Whereas with a mallet you might make two swings per second for several minutes on end. That'll wear out the rest pretty quickly.

[@simontaal89]

Anyone else using a dead blow hammer for chisel work? I find it very quiet compared to my wooden mallet, which i think is made from beech wood. Also, due to the "dead blow"-action, it is really efficient to deliver the energy to the chisel and I like the contact between a rubber surface and the chisel, makes it easy to control. But I will admit, it's no beauty...

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

A lot of people really like them. Depending on what they're made of they can be great for that. I've seen a lot of wooden ones get bashed apart because it avoid behind the head. Also it is a misconception that they are more efficient. they are actually less efficient at transferring energy. It's a bit counterintuitive but the math doesn't lie.

[@simontaal89]

Interesting, maybe it's just the feeling with no bounce that gives that impression. I have to do the math now!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Yep. It feels like more first because the bounce is suppressed by the secondary impact of the BB's inside. But in actuality it is two smaller impacts or depending upon how much movement the BB's have one longer impact. so the amount of force is spread out over a greater period of time as opposed to at one moment of impact from the wood. The act of the mallet bouncing back does not diminish the amount of energy imparted to the chisel. Because every action has an opposite and equal reaction. It's actually a very fascinating subject to dive into.

[@ryanstieglitz777]

Comment down below

[@kennethnielsen3864]

7th.

[@sergserg4899]

Prefect-?

[@imortaldeadead]

hmm looks like someone has a mallet problem lol

[@Ham68229]

Not sure if you've ever made one but, you should make the "impossible mallet" or the Abe Lincoln mallet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqmamoGVrpmLbc0

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Yup those are fun. Some day I will do a video on those.

[@АлександрУдалов-м4с]

When comparing a hammer and a mallet, many contradictions arise. Inspires little confidence.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

prefect

[@pleappleappleap]

Prefect?