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I built this deadblow mallet with *********************************** for the head, and hickory for the handle, wedged with a little bit of walnut. I followed a plan that I had saved on my computer from a long time ago, from Shop Notes magazine? I can't find the original plan anymore, just the scan I have. The pockets inside the mallet are filled with steel BB shot. If I made another one, I think I'd use lead, because this hammer sounds somewhat like a baby rattle when you swing it. I think that lead also has less "bouncyness" to it than steel. I just used BB's because that's what I had on hand. I faced it with leather and rubbed on some finish. It was a fun build, and I am looking forward to tapping together some fine handcut dovetails with it soon. Ha! Or something.
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10 Posts
That is one beautiful mallet!!
 

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2,584 Posts
Great looking mallet. It should give a mighty blow.
 

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584 Posts
Too pretty to use!
 

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874 Posts
very nicely done!

when you get done hammering can you use them for mariachi? with the pellets and all.
 

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Nice looking mallet, but although I comprehend the theory of the dead blow principal I have always found that if you need to hit something that hard it most likely wasn't built right?
 

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1,185 Posts
Thanks for the comments, all.

Andre, I'm not an expert, but I think the theory behind the dead blow is that it gives less rebound, and also gives the impact over a longer amount of time. (Which makes sense, if it doesn't bounce off the object you're striking). All that I know is that I can tell the difference when using a dead blow - it seems to do more moving (impact) for the same weight of standard hammer. I've also ruined a lot less things with a dead blow!

Finally, I totally agree with you: if you've gotta force something together, you've not done your job right…
 

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1,408 Posts
That looks great. That head will definitely stand up to some pounding.
 

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3,100 Posts
Very nice hammer! I made one for a prior swap and was not happy with it so I kept it and made another. They work really well!
 

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7,023 Posts
Nice mallet. How difficult or easy was the *********************************** to work with?
 

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1,185 Posts
Nice mallet. How difficult or easy was the *********************************** to work with?

- woodbutcherbynight
The initial cut off the big 3" thick block bound up my saw spectacularly, but after that cut, I didn't have any troubles cutting or shaping. Its really pretty wood, IMO.
 

· In Loving Memory
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10,409 Posts
PPK , nice job and congratulations on your 'Daily Top 3' award.
 

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37 Posts
Nice job! I'm reinspired to make one out of a bunch of Ipe scrap I have.
 
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