Shopsmith Forums

I made a mallet out of an old orange tree I cut down. I haven't abused the mallet but it is probably 30 years old now and still works well for a mallet.

Ed in Tampa, that orange tree idea makes me want to look around locally.

Nuhobbyman2, I really appreciate your posts here. I now have several types of wood to look up. First, I will see what I can find locally. We used to have some ash around and some hickory. Black walnut is rare here. I did notice in someone posts which I can't recall, about Osage Orange. So, I have several choices from which to choose. First, will be to see what is locally available that fits in the posted categories, then if I have to order, I'll try to go with the good stuff.

I have cut down a few mulberry trees here and they are so hard. I've had to sharpen chain saws while cutting up small mulberry trees. I really appreciate all the input. Will also try to remember to post what I do and use. If the rain ever lets up, I'll get the wood and start turning. Right now with all the rain, it seems that every time we have a wet early summer, we have hurricanes. The ground gets saturated and then in comes a hurricane and rips up every tree and line and utility pole. Will keep you posted on that as well. Thanks and again and be well.

Flea Market wood is good. Find old baseball bats and turn the fat ends down into a mallet.
Bill V

Bill, now that's an idea. Thanks.

Swampgator

attached are a couple of photos of a mallet I made some time back to use making dovetails. After beating on the chisels as you can see there is nary a dent in the face of the mallet. Osage Orange (Beau d' arc) and Walnut.

Don G

Although it is hammer style, I have a maple mallet that I made with my Shopsmith in around 1994. Holding up pretty well after hard use. Some splintering on the edges. Here is a photo.

,

I was thinking about this and realized I needed a couple small ones,,,I braved the high temps of the garage heat ,,, these are from a oak limb I had in the fire wood pile.

The big one,,,I call it the schwack master ,,,, is from a wormy ash limb that was used and abused fro a long time as you can see.
good for any thing that needs a good walop...after close to 10 years it almost worn out ,, the little walnut one is still under development , was going to use it on the leather table.

If I could get my choice of wood,
this would be it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignum_vitae

But, this wood is very difficult to find.

steve

(edit) the picture also shows the type
of mallet I'd make.

skou wrote:If I could get my choice of wood,
this would be it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignum_vitae

But, this wood is very difficult to find.

steve

(edit) the picture also shows the type
of mallet I'd make.

Notice it is a close cousin to acacia?

Interesting grain pattern , There was a time when exotic woods were like lumber yards ,, they were all over the place.

I remember a fella making batons for the police dpt back in the 60's from rose wood .

Brazilian woods were every where, for me it is tough to find a good wood supply other then the woods it self, locust would probably be good , the stuff is very dense and nearly indestructible,,,especially the root .