Woodworking is and activity – hobby which is a magnificent way of living , but it also has some “secrets” and details , which are making the difference . The “wise” combination of information and knowldege with techincs and skill , will make you create astonishing carpentry projects .

Hammers and mallets are maybe sound as a very “easy” knowldege , but there aren’t . They have , their “secrets” too .

The hammer is a hitting woodworking(and not only) tool , made by the connection of a wooden mostly handle and a metallic part which is attached to one of the handle’s side . We use the metallic hammer to nail pins , hit pieces in general , make adustments to our wooden projects and in other tools , as a helping device .

The mallet is the same woodworking tool as the hammer with the major difference , that the part we use for hitting , is made by soft material , not metallic one . The soft part of the mallet , can be from wood , rubber , several colors of silicone , et.c .

What is the difference between a Hammer and a Mallet and why do we need both ?

The only difference of these two carpentry tools is the difference of their hitting material , as a tool construction . Hammers are metallic and mallets are using soft materials , to built their hitting part . The handle of both can be from whatever material , but mostly it is wooden .

Of course the mallets have less weight , than the hammers .

We need both of them , because of the variety of the woodworking jobs , we make as carpenters . Sometimes we need to make strong hits with a hard surface as the metal is .

Sometimes we need to make “lighter” hits , in order not make damages .

You cannot nail a pin using a rubber mallet or even a wooden one , no matter how “hard” is our wood type . You need a metallic one . You cannot hit wood in general using metallic hammers .

You’ll make dents above them for sure and maybe bigger irreversable damages .

Are there any “secrets” to Recover dent wooden surfaces ?

Yes , there are . These two solution have great results in small and medium dent damages to your wood . If the damage is very big and your wooden surface is badly hurt , they cannot do much . So if you have a wooden dent , do these:

1) “Iron” your wooden surface .

Put a wet towel on the area you want to fix and then use your home’s iron , to iron this spot . Be careful not to have very big temperature and make small controlled moves . The wet towel and steam will do the rest and the dent will dissapear .

2) The second is maybe for smaller more “surgical” dent spots and we use the help of the water also . See the complete way in one of my first posts , in HERE .

Can i use an Iron hammer on chisels ?

There is a “law” in the woodworking area that we never use and hit a wooden surface for adjusting or whatever with a iron – metallic hammer , but only with soft ones . The hit with the metallic hard surface , will hurt and maybe destroy , the wooden one .

Many carpenters , using their huge experience and muscle control they hit sometimes wood with metal hammers , but i won’t suggest you , to do this .

It’s nicer and more correct , your muscles and body “memory” to adjust to these both type of hammers and be comfortable with .

If you want sometime to hit a small wooden area and the big mallet isn’t so “comfy”, use a smaller mallet , maybe the carver’s one and avoid the metallic hammer .

How many Types of Hammers and Mallets exist on Carpentry ?

There are many types of hammers and mallets , in order a carpeter to be as more efficient he can to the different types of jobs . Being comfortable and efficient is very importand in carpentry , especially if you work many hours . So here some :

1) The Joinery mallet , to hit chisels .

This mallet is a very basic one and of course it’s a traditional mallet . It’s made from hard types of wood as oak , maple , ash , et.c . The British style mallet is a very beautiful mallet and it’s kind of a big one . Dovetails , mortises and whatever joint you like , will be a joyful job for you , using such a mallet .

2) The Carver’s round mallet .

This kind of mallets are made for the “surgical” hits the carver does . Of course their sizes are way smaller than the other mallets and you should use these than other ones , especially the very big ones .

Carving , needs accuracy and a mallet – tool to very versatile , flexible , easy to use , lightweight , nice and comfortable in your hands .

3) A Claw metallic hammer is necessary .

You won’t only nail pins while you’re woodworking , but you’ll need to take out nails , sometimes . The claw sided hammer is a great assistant .

4) Have a small metallic Hammer to adjust your chisels , hand planes , et.c .

You chisels you’ll need countless times adjusting during their “lives” and a small , well controlled metallic hammer , is a “must” for all woodworkers . These hammers , also called “peen hammers” and they can adjust your hand planes , help you pin small nails

5) Have a Froe Mallet for your green wood splitting .

Many people like to split their wood by their own and a froe mallet is the one you should have . You can buy or make one with easiness for smaller logs or bigger ones .

6) Have a Silicone or Rubber mallet , for wood adjustments – small comtrolled hits .

These are the best wood assembling solutions for you . They don’t hurt wood at all , no matter if you hit harder sometime . You can assemble your wooden boxes , tables , beds ,et.c making the adjustments you like and need .

Small tip : Try your silicone , rubber , et.c mallet to be white colored . The black colored ones , may “leave” marks from a hard hit sometime .

Can I create my Own mallets and What wood should i choose ?

Yes , you can definetely can and it isn’t very difficult . You can create small or big mallets from wood very easily , but for the rubber – silocone , i suggest you to buy some . They aren’t expensive , as the wooden aren’t also .

You can create your wooden mallets using a hand saw . Cut a piece of log , with a pencil mark the handle’s diameter and by using a small ax , make the handle with smaller diameter than the hitting part of the mallet .

Ok , maybe it won’t be as beautiful as a British joinery maple mallet is , but you can make very nice mallets .

The mallets wood types are the “hard” types . Maple , oak , ash , yew , et.c are great wood types . If you want to remember some of the wood types , see them in HERE .

Keep Woodworking .