Teardrop Mallets

[blazedbowtie]

I have been asked for a chrsitmas list, so I was wondering where I could find some quality teardrop mallets? Are the ones from Eastwood any good?


Thanks,
Seth

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Hi Seth,

Several years ago when I was just starting out, I ordered myself one of these mallets, a set of Lancaster shrinker/stretchers, and a square bag from Eastwood (also for a Christmas present). Even then I decided it was too light almost immediately. IMHO, they don't have enough weight to stretch steel. Will do better on annealed copper or aluminum. More importantly, they don't have enough depth to allow you to work into a deep shape without hitting the handle.

The bag has held up well as have the lancasters.

[Gene_Olson]

Hi Seth,

I turned my own similar one out of nylon but the ball end of mine has more clearance to the handle.

I agree on the clearance issue. Those simply are too short.

The plastic heads are darn near magic when shrinking and stretching aluminum and copper though. They seem to grab the material as you crush tucks and hold it under the hammer as they go down. ('course I could be hallucinating, but it seem that way to me.) When stretching you don't get crisp edges on hammer blows that are harder to planish out.

G.

[Jason93]

I would agree, the clearance between the handle and the head is an issue. Before I found metalmeet, I forked over some big dough for the mallets by ron fournier and though they work good, I got stiffed because I could have easily made twice the number of mallets for a 1/3 of the cost if I did on my own. I have one of Wray's bags and they work killer, and its triple sewn for longevity.

[snotzalot]

I got stiffed because I could have easily made twice the number of mallets for a 1/3 of the cost if I did on my own.

That's always the case, BUT if you don't have the tooling to make the tools, sometimes it's cheaper to purchase what you need. How often have we waited on a project becuse we don't have time to make the tool to make the project?

If you want a good CHEAP hammer, you need to make one of the Kerry style Louisville Slugger hammers.

[Jason93]

Snotzalot,

You have a point, but I still think the $ for them was a little pricey. If you got the $ and cant build your own, then buy em

[Kerry Pinkerton]

[quote="snotzalot"]

If you want a good CHEAP hammer, you need to make one of the Kerry style Louisville Slugger hammers.

I can't take credit for the ball bat hammers. I stole the idea from Steven Winsett. He had one at Formfest02. I picked up about 70 bal bat blanks recently so I've got some hammer making to do....

[snotzalot]

I picked up about 70 bal bat blanks recently so I've got some hammer making to do....

I thought you were retired Kerry...... 8)

[blazedbowtie]

Thanks for the response guys. I don't necessarily want to make my own mallets. My mother is looking to give me several gifts, and from what I hear she has none so far. I am becoming hard to shop for, as I don't want much of anything. Except for things I need for my projects. The other part of my question was, where could I find a good set of mallets? I don't really even need a set, mainly just a 2.5" mallet, although a set would be nice. I was going to make my own sandbag, because $30 something sounds a bit out there for two pieces of leather sewn together, when I could easily do it myself. Although I woulnd't mind buying one from Wray. I'm sure they are great quality, and I would rather support another person, rather than a corporation.

Thanks,
Seth

[snotzalot]

My mother is looking to give me several gifts, and from what I hear she has none so far.

Best hammer out there and made by a member of the forum is Tom Lipton, give Tom a shout.