Woodworking

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A handmade home for woodworkers and admirers of woodworkers. Our community icon is a planter box made by @Captain Aggravated, the winner of our summer '24 woodworking contest. Congratulations!

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first completed wood project (i.postimg.cc)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I made a joiners mallet. I’m trying to challenge myself by only hand tools. The wood was found in the basement; I think hickory head and I have no idea what the handle pieces are. The handle and head were each laminated and the handle was mortised in, wedged, and glued. I rounded out the handle with a spokeshave and rasp.

There are plenty of things I could have done differently, but I’m just glad I pushed myself to finish it. And now have a fairly heavy-duty mallet, so I dont need to swing on the chisels as hard. I think if I were to make another one, I would find a single block of wood for the head instead of laminating cut pieces.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Looks great, I think the laminated head might be more work, but should produce better results. You might consider putting a bevel on the edges which will reduce the chance for them to split and chip. Might also want some finish too, something like wax or linseed oil.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

I was just about to suggest that. Good call.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the tip for the chamfer. Someone else mentioned that too, so I’ll definitely try that and see if it can reduce the tearout. Im not sure if I’ll put a finish on it, but maybe I’ll try linseed oil. That seems minimal and this whole thing is an experiment anyway haha

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

The finish definitely doesn't need to be fancy. Linseed oil or paste wax is fine. Or both, that's traditional for shop tools. It should be something that is quick and easy to apply that will provide some protection for the wood.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago

That is beautiful! You're off to great start.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

What is the purpose of a joiners mallet ?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago

Tapping tight woodworking joints (dovetails, box joints, etc) into place.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

Fuck yeah! That looks awesome. Great work and keep it going.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Nice, this looks good! i don't have much power tool so my project always got stalled because it's a PITA sometimes to do tenon joint, and always got it...wrong 😂

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

What do you use? Chisels? I bet one of those oscillating tools and a Dremel would be enough to make some hand crafted mortise & tenon joints.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Adam Savage would be proud :)

Edit: If you haven't read his book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43319933

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

But are you worthy to lift it?

It looks great! I have some extra wood laying around from some ramps I made, and I'm thinking about a wood project. I'm probably going to make one of those western boot taker-offer things, but this project looks pretty awesome too. It would definitely be useful for lining boards up.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

At first glance this looked like a sex thing.