Dovetail Joiners Mallet

[mbromley]

I was recently challenged on Instagram to build a mallet using nothing but hand tools. I've always enjoyed the use of hand tools in my work, but figured this was a good way to push my skills and get me outside of my comfort zone. I could have done a pretty standard mallet design, but I decided to take it a step further and design something even more challenging (for myself at least). I met Chris Black up in Rolesville and picked up a panel saw to break down my rough lumber as well as got some tips and tricks for sharpening card scrapers (which was a crucial part of this build). The handle is walnut and the head is red oak, it is finished with Walrus Oil and wax. Overall I'm very happy with how it turned out especially since this was my first time doing many of the techniques. First through mortise, sliding dovetail, and use of a spokeshave for shaping. Better yet, I now have a joiners mallet and can quit using my plastic headed hammer. I have a ton more pictures of the build process, but just chose a few to put here. I've dubbed this mallet the "Dovetail Joiners Mallet".

-Bromley​

 

[allisnut]

Nice!

 

[Phil S]

Great job and excellent photography Thanks

 

[Jim M.]

Form, function and beauty, you can't beat that! (Pun intended)

 

[gmakra]

That is a very well thought out and executed piece of work.

 

[Graywolf]

Really nice

 

[Hmerkle]

WOW!
GREAT job ignoring the fact that this was a "skill push" for you (looking at the results you would never know it)!

 

[sawman101]

Very well crafted Bromley!

 

[Bill Clemmons]

A beautiful piece, Bromley. I'd cry the first time I dented it.

 

[marinosr]

Very nice-looking indeed! The tenon in the middle with the dovetail on the side is a fun bit of "how'd he do that".

I have the same Estwing mallet and though I have a real joiner's mallet, it's hard to beat the Estwing for medium to heavy chopping IMO.

 

[dazart]

Do you need my mailing address to send me that?

 

[Gofor]

Beautiful work. Looks like you really beat down that challenge!!:thumbs_up:thumbs_up:thumbs_up:thumbs_up:thumbs_up

Go

 

[marinosr]

There seems to be some mallet-making in the air... this floated past my desk on Reddit this morning.

Your's is nice, but I think I prefer the other guy's naturalistic, understated, almost Krenovian style.

 

[Raymond]

There seems to be some mallet-making in the air... this floated past my desk on Reddit this morning.

Your's is nice, but I think I prefer the other guy's naturalistic, understated, almost Krenovian style.

Now that is a true neanderthal tool!

 

[bash]

Beautiful design and execution. Novice question: Why the different wood dovetailed on one face of the mallet?

 

[nn4jw]

Very nice looking piece and well executed.

 

[Bear Republic]

Really nice job and a great design.


On that other mallet he may be better served with a rock.... Is it made out of a pine 2x4?

 

[mbromley]

Thank you all very much for the kind words!

Great job and excellent photography Thanks

I'm glad you like the pictures, I did my best to capture the natural beauty. All the pictures are taken with my phone.

A beautiful piece, Bromley. I'd cry the first time I dented it.

I might shed a tear for sure. I'm going to stick to using the end grain face first and hope it holds up better. I'd love to just hang it on the wall but I know it needs to be used.

Do you need my mailing address to send me that?

Haha I've had multiple people wanting it. Even someone that wants me to build a copy for them. I'd definitely do the second one with some power tools.

Beautiful design and execution. Novice question: Why the different wood dovetailed on one face of the mallet?

Not a novice question at all. Really no purpose other than aesthetics and the joinery challenge for myself. The oak end grain will be much more durable for hammering.