Wood Headed Hammer

[milomilo]

I have had some Osage Orange wood I got from Donker a few years back with the intention of making a wood headed hammer. My best recollection was we traded for it. Not quite sure what I sent him.

Seemed like today was the right time to start it. The wood is very hard, so quite durable as a non-marring hammer head. I did decide to add some steel rings so to reinforce the hammering end of the head.

Used some 1 1/2" schedule 40, turned the inside and outside to get a round surfaces. Did not measure, except for the turning, just eyeballed what it should look like to me.

Going to use a chunk of 5/8" round stainless for the handle. Probably put a brass cap nut on the top. Handle will be knurled for a non-slip surface. Not a beater, just to use with no hammer marks.

Hope to do the handle Thursday.

[milomilo]

More pics.

[Lew Hartswick]

:-) Chris, A "wood headed hammer" is called a Mallet . :-) Usually with a wood handle also though.
...lew...

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Lew Hartswick

:-) Chris, A "wood headed hammer" is called a Mallet . :-) Usually with a wood handle also though.
...lew...

Yeah, I thought of that, but since it is getting a stainless steel handle It is kind of a cross breed.

Took me a half hour to clean up the lathe with all the yellow shavings everywhere.

[kbs2244]

I grew up with one.
My Dad was an A&E airplane mechanic (pre A&P)
He used it for forming AL fuselage parts.

But the have been around for centuries as in art studios as “mallets”
Admittedly with a different head shape.

[USMCPOP]

I have a little wood mallet I made from a chunk of Dogwood maybe 30 years ago. Square shape, with a wooden handle. I'll have to see if I can find it and take a pic.

[milomilo]

Used gun bluing on the steel support rings today. Applied the bluing 4 times. Used some 0004 steel wool to get a little polish on them. Applied some oil on them.

[LW Hiway]

Chris, A "wood headed hammer" is called a Mallet

When the news reports of a neighbor being knocked silly with a Mallet, the reporting will state " he had the shit beat out of him with a hammer".

For what I have in the cabinets for forming, I have them in different materials such as nylon and others as well as wood and different profiles in each, I consider them bumping hammers and just leave it at that.

I bought a wooden sledge that must have come from a circus that came to town and a clown or Lion Tamer hocked the damn thing. Takes most all I have to drive one little ass wooden stob for forming. lol

[LKeithR]

It's lookin' good, Chris but I'd really like to see it with a wooden handle rather than metal. I've never seen a hammer with a metal handle that had good balance--they just don't feel right to me...

[platypus20]

While the sight of the sawdust makes my skin crawl, the workmanship on and the overall look of the hammer/mallet is outstanding. While I absolutely abhor any work involving the “W” material, I have the utmost respect for the people who can and will do it, it requires a level of skill, that command respect.

I do know a little about hammers, especially a 4# hand maul and some skill in using them..........