Carving Mallet

[SteveF]

could you tell me if box wood would make a suitable handle for a LV Mallet?
if not ..any suggestions

Steve

 

[Peter Sefton]

I would have said Box is a little stiff but it would look great, Ash would have more flex or Hickory.

 

[Harbo]

As Peter has said plus I think Box is too special to be used for a mallet handle?

Rod

 

[SteveF]

box is special?
i know it turns like "cream" but never realised it was rare or special
i got to use it for something
i have some ash ..so will give it a go
not got hickory,so that is off the list
this is new to me as i just had a result on some lv balls
and always wanted to make a mallet

Steve

 

[Racers]

They make nice mallets, I have a couple i used oak and some unidentified red coloured wood.

I drilled the through in the ball then turned the handle with a over length section for the ball, jammed the ball on that and turned, it cutting it and wedging it after I had finished.

Pete

 

[bugbear]

I would have said Box is a little stiff but it would look great, Ash would have more flex or Hickory.

On a handle as short and fat as a carving mallet's, I doubt if any flexing occurs, regardless of timber.

OTOH, if I had a supply of boxwood, I'd try to find an application that better exploited it's properties, and use something cheaper for a mallet handle.

BugBear

 

[jimi43]

I don't know if it would be of any help to you Steve but i just happen to have posted my take on an ornamental LV carving mallet with some WIP photos.

CLICKITY CLICK

Might not be to your taste but the techniques are virtually the same.

Cheers

Jimi

 

[Peter Sefton]

A selection made by last years students as my cover picture, Ash and lignum.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Se ... 274?ref=hl

 

[SteveF]

thanks Peter & Jimi

there is plenty of input there for me
I have to say that i am tempted to go for an exotic for the handle
i have plenty of these...but would have to go buy hickory or ash
maybe the wrong choice...if all else fails i can try another one
i have lots of boxwood...which is why i asked about the usage
really would like the contrast in colours
what about she oak or eucalyptus ?

i guess this is all a personal choice and i should just get on with it

Steve

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes. You're right.

 

[jimi43]

No problems Steve...glad to help.

I'd have used she-oak too if I'd had some because of the ebay one I found a while back....

Click for thread

Blinking gorgeous wood and ideal for handles!

Go for it mate but take lots of pictures!

Jimi

 

[SteveF]

well i had a go

think i need a bit more practise
found a bit of ash in the pile

 

[jimi43]

That is a superb mallet Steve....and you will see as you use it that it becomes your favourite mallet...because YOU made it from scratch and so it is MOJO powered!!

Inspiration for others on the forum who were shying away from making that first step!

Nice one mate!

=D>

Jimi

 

[SteveF]

thankyou for kind comments Jimi
it is a keeper but admit made a few mistakes
turning is still a huge learning curve for me
i will make another a bit smaller and dig out that lump of she oak

mistakes....
made a couple of cones to turn it ...but think i never got them seated right so was a bit off centre
i overturned the end of handle by a few mm
i glued with Poly but when i squared end there was a gap in the top
I turned the "hole" down and filled with shavings \ superglue
doesnt affect usage but not quite perfect

lessons learnt

Steve

 

[jimi43]

A pleasure mate...you have the knack and you will only improve with experience...not that the start isn't brilliant...I would love to see what mark II and so on are like...keep us updated!

Jimi