[Woodcarver] To lathe or not to lathe.... that is the question

[Donna Menke]

Floyd-
I have a small mallet that a friend turned for me and though it has gotten beat up over time it is still my favorite. If I had to buy one I'd get one of the green vinyl covered ones because they cushion the shock of the blow and they are quieter.

 Donna Menke
http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com 
Author: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book


----- Original Message ----

> From: "Brigdon, Floyd" <brigdon at tvcc.edu>

> To: [Woodcarver] <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>

> Sent: Thursday, May 8, 2008 11:24:55 AM

> Subject: [Woodcarver] To lathe or not to lathe.... that is the question

> 

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> 

>      Hey folks,

> 

>      I have talked a little here recently about the fact that I have been 

> teaching myself to carve using mostly Flexcut tools. Well, here in the next week 

> or so, I am going to be able to upgrade to some full sized tools (yay!) and so I 

> find myself in the position of needing a good carving mallet soon.

>       I was shopping around online, looking at different mallets, when I 

> received a book that I had ordered in the mail (Bill Judt's Relief Carving: 

> patterns, tips and techniques) which gave some basic instructions for making 

> your own mallet. Now I don't have any experience with a lathe but I have a 

> friend who owns one and the basic tools needed to operate it and so my question 

> to this august assemblage is this: is it better/more practical to buy a mallet 

> or to make one myself? And if I make one, are there any sage words of advice 

> that you might be able to share with me?

>       Thanks in advance for your help.

> 

>       Floyd Brigdon

>       http://mycarvingclub.com/FloydB