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These mallets are designed to last a lifetime. But the best part is, you can build them in a weekend.

There's a certain satisfaction that comes from building a practical, quality tool and using it in the shop. So when I saw these mallets that Chris (our designer) made, I knew they'd be a big hit.

The cabinetmaker's mallet on the left is great tool for all-around shop use. It's shape and heft come in handy during project construction and assembly. And the rounded carver's mallet (shown on the right) provides just the right control for chisel work and carving.

Both of the mallets you see above share the same laminated design for the head. I used alternating

layers of Lyptus and maple, but you could use any contrasting hardwoods you have available. The layered construction makes them easy to build and durable enough for a lifetime of use.

One of the keys to creating a hand tool you'll really use is making it comfortable to hold. So shaping the handles is critical. The nice thing is, it's easy to do with a simple technique and a shop-made jig for your router table. Besides being a great way to custom-fit them to your hands, it guarantees that it won't take long to appreciate the usefulness of these mallets.

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ShopNotes No. 95