Rawhide mallet

[DDandJ]

So I finally splurged and bought a rawhide mallet from my local supplier.  I had been using a rubber mallet I bought from the hardware store years ago.  Remember, I'm trying to become professional ;)

I've watched several videos on Youtube in which upholsterers are using a rawhide mallet and I see that they've covered one end of the mallet.  Is this so that it won't mar the fabric?  What would I use to cover one end of the mallet and is it necessary?

I will say that the rawhide mallet is much better for driving in metal tack strip than the rubber mallet.

I also bought the yellow handled CS Osborne staple puller.  I think I'm going to like it better than the Berry's staple puller I've been using.  That could vary on the project, I suppose.

Jeremy

[MinUph]

I cover mine with a layer of leather and then a layer of like velvet or anything soft. First make sure the ends are smooth. Run them on a sander to make them nice and flat.

[gene]

I found a yellow handled CS Osborn staple puller in a chair a few years ago and have been using it as my primary staple puller ever since.

I like to sing the theme song from Rawhide when I'm using my rawhide mallet. It just doesn't work to sing that song when I'm using a rubber mallet.

I also cover the mallet head with a soft fabric.

gene

[sofadoc]

I love my rawhide mallet. I seldom find it necessary to put any additional wrapping on it.

As for the yellow handled Osborne, I must be the only upholsterer who still prefers the Berry's. But I use a wide variety of staple/tack pulling tools, depending on the particular situation:


A lot of people use side cutters (dikes) for pulling/cutting broken staples. To me, the nippers (similar to pincers) work better.

If stripping furniture were an Olympic event, and the rules stated that you could only use 2 tools, I'll take my Berry's and my converted tile nippers. And I'll bring home the Gold! ;D

[kodydog]

30 years ago my bro-in-law made me a wood mallet. A 4-1/2" block of wood with a 1-1/2 " dowel drilled into it. I covered it with leather and recover it about once a year. Works great.

[byhammerandhand]

My favorite is a deadblow hammer that I picked up from a liquidator a couple of years ago at a woodworking show.   I went back last winter and they were sold out.  They did have a few of the replaceable heads left (in various hardnesses).   I'll be sad if I ever lose or break this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTWING-28OZ-DEAD-BLOW-HAMMER-MALLET-SOFT-TOUGH-TIP-USA-/170789986070