The handle is 2 pieces of 4/4 maple about 2×12 inches. The head is 4 pieces of 4/4 reclaimed ipe about 2.5×7 inches.
Getting the ipe flat without a jointer was trial and error. Hand planes dull after a few strokes and I didn’t want to risk my planer knives, so it was a matter of using the table saw and skimming a little at a time until the pieces were reasonably flat. “Reasonably” meant a little more clamping pressure than usual but at least with ipe you don’t have to worry about leaving marks, it doesn’t dent. Not that leaving marks would have mattered since they would be turned away.
-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/
4 comments so far
Tim
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#1 posted 03-12-2014 05:45 PM
Ipe’s that bad huh? What do you plan to turn it with if it’s that hard on tools? Interesting idea to glue it up like that and then turn it. I don’t have a lathe, but this would be a good way to get the basic shape for one of these style of mallets.
johnhutchinson
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#2 posted 03-12-2014 06:04 PM
Have you seen Frank Howarth’s mallet video? KILLER !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kV1jKCKoPAo
-- John - Central Ohio - "too much is never enough"
doubleDD
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#3 posted 03-12-2014 07:54 PM
Good thinking on the getting it flat. Didn’t know it was that hard to work with. Should turn out nicely.
-- Dave, Downers Grove, Il. -------- When you run out of ideas, start building your dreams.
Woodknack
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#4 posted 03-12-2014 09:04 PM
Tim, I used carbide tools on the lathe. Ipe cuts a little slower than other woods but at 2000 RPM, it doesn’t make much difference. And yeah, it’s ridiculously hard. Quite a few people have said it is harder than brass and extrapolating from Matthias Wandel’s (Woodgears) hardness tests, they are correct.
-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/
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