MN Woodturners Association

Minnesota
Woodturners Association

Event Date:Jan 11th, 2025 9:00 amCategories: Classes
Price: $45This is a members only event. If you are a member, please login to register.
2025-01-11 09:00:00 2025-01-11 09:00:00 America/Chicago Minnesota Woodturners Association Wooden Carvers Mallet Information: https://mnwoodturners.com/calendar/wooden-carvers-mallet/

Wooden Carvers Mallet with Mike Borka

DATE: Saturday January 11th, 2025

TIME: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

LOCATION: Houck Machine, 12811 16th Ave N., Plymouth, Mn   https://goo.gl/maps/kJdhVLsHq8F2

Turning a Carver’s Mallet

A carver’s mallet is an elegant and functional tool. It is versatile enough to nudge a chisel when creating a delicate shaving or to swing for the fences when producing a powerful pop. Whether a tap, tap, tap, or smack, smack, smack is needed, this class will cover a step-by-step process for turning this must-have tool.

In making a mallet, participants will use and extend many spindle turning techniques and skills:

  • Mounting a blank securely between centers.

  • Roughing out a square blank into a cylinder.

  • Transferring measurements from a story-stick pattern to a blank.

  • Using a parting tool to establish specific diameters along the length of a cylinder.

  • Turning gentle, sweeping curves between established diameters.

  • Adapting a pattern to meet individual preferences.

While the focus of this class is turning a carver’s mallet, participants will find many of the skills and techniques applicable to turning finials, spinning tops, baseball bats, tool handles, and more.

All participants will receive a detailed drawing of the mallet pattern and a handout with step-by-step turning instructions to guide them during the class and at home when turning additional mallets.

Tools

A carver’s mallet can be turned using a set of basic spindle turning tools. Participants in this class will need to bring the following tools:

Tools

Measuring & Marking

  • Pencil

  • Outside caliper and/or

  • Vernier caliper

  • 12” (305mm) ruler

Turning

  • PPE including a face shield

  • 1/2 “ wood chisel (optional)

  • Awl (optional)

  • Burning wire (optional)

  • 3/16” (5mm) Parting tool

  • Spindle roughing gouge or carbide roughing tool

  • 3/8 “ (10mm) spindle gouge

  • 80-220 grit sandpaper

  • Finishing oil (optional)

All tools should be sharp. Participants should be adept at sharpening their tools to maximize enjoyment and safe and efficient turning. Taking an MWA Sharpening Class is highly recommended!

Wood

Turning stock will begin as a hardwood blank measuring 3” x 3” x 12” (76 x 76 x 305mm). 

Participants may bring their own cut-to-size turning blank.

Hard maple blanks dried and ready for turning may be purchased from the instructor on the day of the class for $15 cash.

Completing the carver’s mallet will provide participants with a feeling of satisfaction and a tool no turner should be without. Bam!