Hey everyone! I'm just getting into woodworking and I've done quite a bit of research on what wood to use for a really heavy duty mallet head. I need something that's as heavy and hard as a maul head. So far, I'm considering Ipe, Cumaru, and Greenheart, which are all from Central and South America. However, I'm also curious if there are any places in the U.S. where I can find really dense hardwood from Australia. Are there any shops down under that can ship to the U.S.?
2 Answers
Have you thought about using domestic hardwoods instead? Oak is widely available and much cheaper than those exotic woods. If you want something a bit fancier, I’d suggest Osage Orange!
Honestly, Ash could be a great option too. It's easy to find and just as hard as oak. They even make baseball bats from it for a reason!
If you're looking for added weight, consider making a hollow interior and filling it with epoxy and lead shot. That way, you get the extra heft without the cost of exotics!
Isn't oak prone to cracking with repetitive impacts? I'm actually thinking about using Osage Orange or hickory for the handle!