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Making Fine Woodworking Tools
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Millrat Special
by
Roy Griggs
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Okay, I got to have one of Jim's ABS coated, lead weighted carving mallets. I am gonna use Osage Orange
for it so I'll just stop at the firewood pile on the way out to
the shop.
First I'll knock the bark off with an old roofin'
hatchet...
Then I'll bob it's split ends...
Draw a circle on the fresh cut end of my
choice and split down near it with my froe....
This is close enough to put onto the lathe...
Some dead electrons and a big pile of shavings,
with the excess parted off...
Okay here is the ABS plastic that I managed to
scrounge in my shop at the current time...it is a ShopVac tube
with a 2 1/4" I.D. big end and a 2" I.D. small end over
a 20" length.
Of the mallets I've made (4), the one
second from the left has the most comfortable grip so I'm going to
use it again on this one...
Well, I finished turning the mallet to
size, and desired shape, heated the ABS and slipped it on the
mallet. Then put it back on the lathe to trim the ends, The finish
is a turners wax that you apply on the lathe.
I don't currently have any lead so that step will have
to wait a day or two...here is the semi-finished mallet.
Okay, I went and got some sinkers at Okie Bait and
Tackle today so I can continue. I'm going to use a tin can to melt
and pour the lead. In order to facilitate handling of the can I'm
going to put a twisted wire handle on it, and here is how I twist
wire.
The mallet, drilled to accept the lead...
Heating the lead...
This is why I made a guard before I poured the
lead...
Simple way to mark your plug...
With plug and a coat of shellac...
LEFT - unknown wood - weight 18 oz.
MIDDLE - Osage Orange - weight 22 oz.
RIGHT - Bocote - weight 14 oz. (no lead)
Thanks Jim, this is gonna be a great mallet.
Roy Griggs
January, 2006
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