Mallet for assembly

wesleyjack

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Joined
Aug 22, 2014
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In doing my first domino glue up I found I needed a mallet to assist with getting things sung for the dry fit and then  back apart. I had a lot less trouble once everything was covered in glue.
I assume others use the mallet for extra persuasion with dominos as well so I'm curious what type of mallet works well. I grabbed the black rubber mallet I had used for a vinyl floor install but it left some scuff marks on my poplar boards.

 
I have two Thor hammers, both of which have exchangeable/replaceable faces - a 412 with standard medium hard orange plastic faces which is great for general assembly work, and a 712 with a hard nylon face (white) and a soft nylon face (grey) for when you need something a little more delicate on a surface. They are both 1 1/2" faced hammers and are very reasonably priced.

I believe the 412 models are slowly being withdrawn, so you might get a bargain somewhere.

http://www.thorhammer.com/Hammers/Nylon/Hammer_id_11-712

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Can't built a shop made dead blow mallet. I used plans from an old ShopNotes or Woodsmith. Lead weights in the head give a nice whack, leather on faces avoids any marring or marks.

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One trick for dry fits is to sand down the edges of some Domino tenons and use those for test fits. I put marks on these trial tenons so I don't use them in the actual glue up. The sanded tenons slip in and out easily.

I use a dead blow mallet I bought at Woodcraft.

Another trick for glue ups is to use clamps to snug up the pieces.
 
I drill a hole in the sanded down dominos I use for dry fitting. No chance that mark will wear off ;-) For persuasion I use a regular hammer, striking on a piece of poplar plywood to protect the project (the poplar is very soft).

Gippy: love that mallet you made!
 
Nice home made mallets

More ideas for when I actually get my shed to a stage I can just go up there and make something

Need to finish my workbench ,have been making it for over a year
 
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