(S-2 Ep-6) Make Your Own Large Rawhide Mallet
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Inspired by Roy at Christ Centered Ironworks on UA-cam, I decided to make my own large rawhide mallet to achieve better finish results on some of my steel work. At first, I thought I’d simply buy one. I was somewhat dismayed though, after searching online for large rawhide mallets and discovered there were few to choose from, and prices started at over $60.00 (U.S.) plus shipping.
I searched the internet for rawhide materials, and discovered they were certainly available, but at prices and quantities that were more than I wanted or needed. An idea occurred to me that I could possibly use one of those large rawhide “bones” for big dogs, found in pet stores. I figured there would be just enough material to make the mallet I wanted. All I had to do was soak it in water until it softened up and became pliable. The “bone” could then be untied and I could reform it into the shape of a mallet head.
This video shows you what I did and how I did it. This is a project that is easy to take on and does not require any specialized tools or equipment. You will see me using a wood lathe to make a handle, but you can buy handles at reasonable prices almost anywhere. You can even use a 1” or 1-1/4” diameter wood dowel for a handle if necessary. A little wood glue, and a couple of screws are the only other materials required to complete the project.
You may have noticed my branding iron if you've already watched the video. If you're interested in making a similar type for yourself, here is the link to my video on how I made mine: • (S-1 Ep-16) Make a Bra...
If you’d like to hear what Roy at Christ Centered Ironworks has to say about his rawhide mallet, here is a link to one of his videos on the subject: • Fixing an Old Friend
If you enjoyed watching this video, please Subscribe to my UA-cam channel: Please “Like” and “Share” this video.
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Certainly cheaper than the $60+ they want for a commercial one. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome! 👍👍👍
Great explanation of the process.
Now I will order a Rawhide bone and try to keep my dog from eating it before I get it in the Sheetmetal wrapping. 😀
That's a good plan! 👍👍👍 😂🤣😂
Great idea. I think I would have wrapped it a bit tighter, and put glue throughout, if I made one. But I don't have a table saw, to I'd have to find a handle from something else.
Thanks for your input. 👍👍👍
They're historically not glued between layers, just clamped and they dry to hold their shape after being wrapped tightly
Great Job.... I wanted a mallet and thought, "that shouldn't be too hard to make but where would I get me some rawhide" NOW I KNOW. Thank you!
Thanks, Traffer! Now it's time to get out in the shop and get busy!
Loved this video. Definitely liked and subscribed. 😀
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!! Great idea to use the dog bone!!
You are so welcome!👍👍👍
Thank you for taking for sharing this. Made two hammer heads today put in oven ar 250 temp for one hour. The heat glued layers together fron heat turned out great. Thank you again.
Awesome Peter! Love the oven idea - never thought of it. I'm happy this worked out well for you. Thanks for commenting.
I like to make my own tools as well. Money is always an object and I also know the quality. I’m glad I stumbled on your video. Some good tips in the comments too. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment, Jim. I hope this project works out for you.
Great Idea. I have a small one that came with my teletype repair tool kit back in my USN days (about 50 years ago). I find it is great on gentle persuasions in the shop. It is kind of beat up and about half the size of yours. I've used it on just about everything, from motorcycles, to rebuilding 4 Corvettes and now I use it in my woodshop. I am definitely going to make a new one or three.
Thanks for your comment, Frank. This is an easy project to undertake, and the actual work goes pretty fast. The time factor is waiting for the rawhide to soak, and then again for it to dry. That being said, you want to plan ahead. Make a couple of mallet heads and set them on a shelf. When you need them, they'll be ready to go, and having a spare is a good idea because they can get beat up in short order, depending upon usage.
That rawhide bone is made of good quality raw hide! In my area most bones have a decent outer layer of rawhide while the inside is just scraps / super thin / not useable. Something to keep in mind when buying cheaper versus more expensive rawhide bones!
Thanks for the handy tip, AnotherSK!!!👍👍👍
Looks like a great way to go...Thankyou!
You're welcome, Anna! Thanks for commenting.
The one I made over a year ago is still in use, and works quite well.
Thank you!
I needed one for jewelry - not only are the sold ones too large for comfortable use, they're super expensive. So I just bought two small dog hidebones and am planning on making what will essentially be a small rawhide hammer :D
You're welcome, Anarasha! I have some of the rawhide dog bone material left over from my rawhide mallet build, and I too, am going to make a smaller, jeweler's mallet. Good luck with your project, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions
I just made two :D You can actually oven-dry the hide, just don't over-dry or it becomes brittle. Basically, bake it at 50 degrees celsius(or your lowest setting) until it feels dry except for the glue. It took me 40 minutes of drying, then I drilled, cut and screwed before it was fully dry. So you can make a mallet in what... an hour or two? And then just leave it to dry :D
Thank you again - this will be so useful in jewelry making
@@DowneastThunderCreations Any time :D
Fantastic idea !!
Thanks, Jeff Iscool!
Thank you for sharing this!! I'm going to try to make me one instead of paying for an overpriced mallet.
You can do it!👍
Very nice job!
Thanks Steve Olsen! I've been using this mallet on a regular basis since
I made it, and it's standing up quite well. In fact, I don't know how I
got by all these years without it, now that I have become accustomed to
using it.
Try making one for yourself, and you'll soon discover exactly what I
mean!
thank you for making this video, i wasnt sure if that kind of rawhide would work, now i know!
You're welcome!
Thank you for your video! I will make one of these mallets for myself and you explained how perfectly.
You're welcome, Justin. Thanks for commenting on my video.
Beautiful thank you🙌
You're welcome, Mildred!👍
damn good idea. thanks
You're welcome! I use mine quite often and I keep it in a handy location in my toolbox. 👍👍👍
Thanks for the video. Gotta go. On my way to Walmart!
You're welcome, Butch! 😂👍
Great video, many, many thanks very informative.
Thanks for your comments, Jimmy Cogg. I 'm happy you found the content informative, and I hope you will find it useful in building your own rawhide mallet or two. BTW, when other makers/crafts-people in you area hear word that you make rawhide mallets, don't be surprised if they start knocking on your door to place orders!
You're more than welcome. I came to it from the same video you did (Roy, Christian foundry), looking for how to make one, and it was just what I was looking for. A very well crafted video and mallet! I'm going to make one (or two!)
nice!
Thanks, Smash Tactics!
Did you use cold water or warm water?
Warm Water
Good day sir, thank you for the video. I Was wondering how well it works without the shellac and what the differences are in durability and malleability of the mallet head- I was also wondering if you think this would work well with smaller rawhide bones as well? Thanks
Thanks for your comments, William Nash! I don't know what the differences would be as this mallet is the only rawhide mallet I've ever owned or used. What I can tell you is it has been almost a year since I published this video and the mallet has performed quite well for my needs and is still very much intact, as built. I have not had to repair or rebuild the mallet yet - not even close. With respect to your other question; I see no reason why you can't use smaller rawhide bones, and make smaller mallets (i.e. - Jewelers rawhide mallet, etc.). At any rate, it's quite inexpensive to experiment and try it out. Perhaps you might produce a follow up video showing your results? I'd love to find out what you discover.
Go you!!
Thanks for commenting, Logan. Glad you liked the video!
I don't have a dog so I don't pay much attention to pet stuff but I'd swear I've seen rawhide bones at the Dollar Store before. Since I only want a small mallet they are probably big enough. I'll check the Pet Section next time I'm there.
👍👍👍
Very helpful. What was it that you heated with the torch? I couldn’t quite follow what you did
That was a homemade branding iron I used to affix my mark. I made a video showing how I made it.
@@DowneastThunderCreations I wondered if that’s what it was! I’m a mew subscriber, I will go back and check it out. Thanks for this channel.
@@claybaker62 You're welcome, Clay.
Hi, I tried making a mallet using this method but I used fish glue as I rolled it. It smells so bad. Is rawhide suppose to smell this bad?
I don't know anything about "fish glue" (in fact, I've never heard of it), but I do know that rawhide can have a powerful odor when it's wet. The odor goes away after drying, though.
Nice work. How has it held up over time?
Thanks Chrissscott! As of now, the ,mallet I made in the video is still in excellent condition and is not even close to requiring any rebuilding. It's a very handy tool to have in my toolbox.
Shellack?
Thanks for commenting, Surf Earth. I don't understand your one word question though. Guess I'm a bit slow, so I need more to go on. Thanks.
I tried to soften the rawhide in shellac from a big box store. It stayed rock hard even though I soaked it for weeks. I wonder if you have to soak in water first, then soak in shellac. I'll bet you could just use a big rawhide bone straight out of the package if what you're hitting is small stock. :-)
Can't tell you about shellac - I've never used it.
Shellac would harden it up very hard, they’re soaked* in shellac after they’re assembled and rolled up, for any future reference!
Would like to send you a picture if possibile.
Peter, I'd love to see it. Go to my UA-cam channel home page and click on "about" on the menu bar. When that page comes up, look below "Description" to the next box down where it says "Details" and click on the "View Email" box. Simple as that!
Just to think . . . That little dog could have had a weeks worth of chewing that bone!,,
No worries, Dave! Our little "Princess Puppy," Gidget McMidget, is well pampered (spoiled) and gets all kinds of treats and goodies (including things to chew on). I don't believe she's in want of anything. Thank you for watching my video and commenting.
To be fair, a rawhide mallet translates to more cool projects which translates to a happier doggo dad which translates to more treats which translates to happy doggo :D
I think traditionally rawhide mallets are combined with shellac.
Thanks for the tip, Michael! Much appreciated. If I ever wear out the one I made, I'll try making the new one with Shellac.