Chisel mallet

[davco]

Looking for a good source for a Chisel mallet for dovetails

Thanks

[ajkoontz]

Have you considered making your own?

[davco]

Don't have a lathe

[jteneyck]

Don't have a lathe

Make a flat faced one.  

John

[Bill Holt]

I have made several; all are similar, in shape, to the "Big Horn Wood Mallet".  Answering your question...Google.  But I would hate to be limited to one mallet.  To my surprise, I use my small mallet probably 90% of the time.  I just completed eight drawers and used only the small mallet.  Just a guess, mallet weighs 10 ounces.

I have used a "flat head" mallet one time and did not like it.

Good luck.

[Tapper]

I have made several; all are similar, in shape, to the "Big Horn Wood Mallet".  Answering your question...Google.  But I would hate to be limited to one mallet.  To my surprise, I use my small mallet probably 90% of the time.  I just completed eight drawers and used only the small mallet.  Just a guess, mallet weighs 10 ounces.

I have used a "flat head" mallet one time and did not like it.

Good luck.

I have one of these I picked up and is stamped "Highland Hardware" before the name changed. Have never had or used one of those barrel shaped mallets, but I like this one.

Doug

[Bob Vaughan]

I have made several; all are similar, in shape, to the "Big Horn Wood Mallet".  Answering your question...Google.  But I would hate to be limited to one mallet.  To my surprise, I use my small mallet probably 90% of the time.  I just completed eight drawers and used only the small mallet.  Just a guess, mallet weighs 10 ounces.

I have used a "flat head" mallet one time and did not like it.

Good luck.

Bill has a very good point.  Big mallets have their place like timber framing, but not when it comes to fine work.
For years I used a hardwood handrail cut-off for precise work with a chisel because it was far more predictable than my heavier mallets.  Eventually I turned a much smaller and lighter mallet and now use that.
Below is the best photo I've got of that handrail cut-off.  I think the widest part is less than 2" wide.
Try several weights of scrap stock and see what weight works best.  I know one woodworker that had been doing dovetails for decades with the flat of a 16 oz. hammer held in his palm.


[attachment=53118]

[stav]

I made my round mallet with a block plane and spoke shave. Its not lathe quality but it whacks chisels pretty well.

[ajkoontz]

If you're dead set on a round mallet, how about this one? It's a little on the small side but I like it for precision chisel work. I don't have a lathe either but have made many laminated square head mallets and am also really happy with these also.

[attachment=53120]

[2beast]

Look at the mallets from Blue Spruce Toolworks
Functional and absolutely beautiful