How To Make A Large Wooden Mallet: A DIY Guide
A large wooden mallet has a lot of purposes. It is one of the tools that are readily available in your backyard or your garage, and it has tons of purposes too. From hammering simple backyard projects to DIY projects at home, a large and wooden mallet is always ready. But do you have an idea that you can also make a large DIY wooden mallet at home? That being said, you should to know at least how to make a large wooden mallet.
A large DIY wooden mallet only requires a few basic hammering and sawing skills. Also, it does not require expensive pieces of machinery nor materials for it to be made. With just a simple block of wood and basic materials, you are good to go! That’s why buckle up your seats and enjoy the ride as we are teaching you how to make large wooden mallet in your home.
What is Wooden Mallet?
Perhaps you want to know how to make a large wooden mallet. But if you don’t know what a wooden mallet is, it would be important first to discuss what a handmade wooden mallet is and how it functions.
In general, a wooden mallet is a basic tool used for house carpentry. Wooden mallets are known to be durable tools that are lightweight as well. Plus, a large wooden mallet is the easiest tool to use in your home.
A wooden mallet has a very basic structure. You could even figure it out just by eye if you plan on making one. Its simplistic nature makes it easier to repair and easy to build too. It usually is in the form of a hammer, although it’s only wooden.
Usually, a wooden mallet is made with a single block of wood that is carved down to its appropriate shape. It will have a long and rectangular holding piece for your hands to grip on. That elongated piece of wood can be inserted into the hole and can be secured with good wood glue.
General Uses of a Wooden Mallet
A large wooden mallet has tons of general uses. As we’ve mentioned earlier, they are used a lot in the field of carpentry. It is used for securing wood pieces and driving chisels into other wooden surfaces. It also serves to strike and shape various metal and plastic objects.
It is a great option for shaping and striking various objects as it doesn’t usually damage the surface of the object being shaped. Also, the wood materials absorb the impact evenly and are visible in the wooden fibers.
How Much Does Making a Large Wooden Mallet Cost?
Well, a large wooden mallet does not cost that much. That’s why it’s always accessible because they are easy to use and are very cheap to purchase or make. All you need is just a block of wood and wood carving materials, and you are off to go.
Steps on How to Make Large Wooden Mallet
Making a DIY wooden mallet will save you a lot of money. If you want to learn and know how to make a large wooden mallet, follow these easy and basic steps in making one.
Step 1: Gathering of the Materials
The project only requires a few blocks of wood and other wood scraps that are still reusable. However, if you intend to work on the mallet a lot more, then it would be wise to purchase a hardwood rather than rely on old wood scraps.
All you need is a wood glue, saw, and some clamps to keep it tight during the binding process. Regardless of what saw you choose, a miter saw, or a hand saw is a great tool for making one. Lastly, sandpaper to buffer up the wood to make it as smooth as possible.
Step 2: Cut
Cut the handle and head dimensions. This will be dependent on you. It must be the exact size for the one who is using the wooden mallet. Cut both pieces in their rough dimensions. For me, the head was about 5” long, and about 4” in height, and around 3” thick. I cut it around 12” long, 2’’ wide, and 1-1/2 thickness for the handle.
Step 3: Assembling
Before we assemble, the wooden mallet we are going to make is quite hefty if you noticed the wooden mallet we are going to make. This is meant to do some serious pounding once it’s done. However, if you prefer a smaller version, you can also make it to be more appropriate.
Now, the head should be laid out, and a straight line must be drawn at the center of the head. Make sure the line is drawn all over. Once done, the head is the first nominee for shaping.
Step 4: Shaping Your Handle and Head
Shaping the handle should be according to your preference. A well-shaped handle is good to grip. In doing so, trim the edges until it is smooth enough, use a hand saw and saw the edge to form a round-shaped handle.
After sawing, run it with a fine-grit sandpaper. When sanding the handle, the thickness should be reduced. Make sure to sand the top portion where it would be inserted on the head to have a snug fit.
The mortise in the head was drilled. Around 7/8’’ hole is drilled. Then I used a block and a chisel guide to cut the mortise's appropriate shape. For me, I tapered it inside, to match the tapered edge of the handle for a good fit. After the mortise is done, some fine-tuning with a file is needed to make it smoother. A smoother surface slips the handle easily before gluing.
Step 5: Finishing
When the mortise is done, fit the handle and the mortise altogether. Use wood glue to keep the head from slipping off the handle. Lastly, some sanding is needed to round the corners and handle to have a good feel. For my part, I did some coating to give it a good look. And it’s done! That’s how to make a large wooden mallet.
Conclusion
Making a large wooden mallet is a great way to boost your carpentry skills as these tools will surely give convenience when doing carpentry projects. Moreover, knowing how to make a large wooden mallet should be taught from generation to generation, and making one is just a piece of cake, and it doesn’t cost much.
Lastly, when working with a large wooden mallet, keep other objects far to avoid any objects splashing. Always remember that whenever doing some carpentry stuff, start slow and cautious! Safe pummeling! Here's how to learn more about wooden mallets.
