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Thread: New Leather Mallet made in USA who-hoo

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    New Leather Mallet made in USA who-hoo

    I started using that very old leather mallet in about 1970 when I first started casting with a single cavity mold and a Coleman single burner stove. At that time the old mallet was already old. I snagged it from my father's tool drawer. It has to be close to 80 years old.

    So I figured I could afford a brand new Made in USA leather mallet at the princely sum of $28 via Amazon. Its larger and quite a bit heavier but in practice its way nicer than the old mallet. Why did I wait so long? I didn't want to spend $28 for a new leather mallet, that's why! Fact is the new heavier mallet works much better when you have to smack the hinge pin to dislodge stubborn bullets. The heavier weight is also much better for knocking the sprue plate free. All in all something I shoulda done decades ago.





    Left--NOE version of 429421 drops at .432" sized .431" for .44 Special Ruger Flattop.
    Middle--Lee custom group buy HG68 clone drops at .454" sized to .452 for .45 AutoRim and .45 acp.
    Right-- NOE version 323471 drops at .326" sized .325" for 8x57 Mauser.


  2. #2
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Good on ya.

    I'm a little surprised some of these guys here don't make their own from deer & other hides.
    Ya wouldn't think there's all that much to them.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
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    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Mal Paso's Avatar
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    I have the 6oz Made in USA one. A replacement for the one inherited from my father. Nether dad or I ever had a use for the thing until I started casting. It's the perfect tool for molds.
    Mal

    Mal Paso means Bad Pass, just so you know.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I've been using one, since I started casting.
    Never thought of using anything else.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Thats a nice looking mallet! I didn't know you could buy such a thing anymore!

  6. #6
    Boolit Master and Dean of Balls




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    you certainly got your money's worth out of that one.

    FWIW they're available in the print industry for setting rule in die boards. CCM sells them
    Quote Originally Posted by Theodore Roosevelt
    No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.

  7. #7
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    I have 3 different weight leather mallets, like others, I can't imagine using anything else. they are more "accurate" than a wood mallet/stick and don't chip/flake.
    I use the mallet weight the mold requires, some open and drop easily -- small mallet, others need a little more encouragement. 80 years use for 23$ not a bad price if you ask me.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by lightman View Post
    Thats a nice looking mallet! I didn't know you could buy such a thing anymore!
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    I have a Garland mallet too, still unused as I got it recently and haven't been casting while I recover from a few health issues. Mine is lead weighted, purchased on sale from an online jewelry working site.

    https://www.seattlefindings.com/Weig...-7_p_4320.html
    Last edited by kevin c; 01-27-2020 at 04:55 AM. Reason: Added link

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    ok everybody is liking these leather hammers for casting lead so what is the perfect size the 1,2,3 or 4 size

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    [I] used rubber wheel from a skateboard . Used a threaded rod for a handle. A nut and washer on each side to hold it in place.

    Have been using this for years.

  12. #12
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    I have sizes: 1, 2, 3. 1 is light and I use this a lot on easy open easy drop molds. For more stubborn molds I use 2. I found 3 to be too big/heavy so it now travels in my range bag. 3 is also good for starting lead in slugging barrels (I then switch to a hand sledge )



  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by scotth View Post
    ok everybody is liking these leather hammers for casting lead so what is the perfect size the 1,2,3 or 4 size
    I like the 6 ounce, Jewelers Mallet, by Garland. Have a couple of larger sizes but they are more fatiguing.

    BTW, Garland mallets are cheaper on evil bay.


    Winelover
    Last edited by winelover; 01-29-2020 at 08:03 AM. Reason: additional info

  14. #14
    Boolit Bub
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    i think i will order a #2 and give it a try

  15. #15
    Boolit Bub
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    hard to believe...made in USA

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by scotth View Post
    ok everybody is liking these leather hammers for casting lead so what is the perfect size the 1,2,3 or 4 size
    My theory is that whatever the #1 can do,,,,, the #4 can do better.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    DHDeal's Avatar
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    I ordered and received the one referenced from Amazon. It works better than what I was using for sure. I'd always used a wooden mallet but they would start to disintegrate after a while, then started using a delrin headed mallet. It still works fine, but the leather mallet makes for a dead blow and I can't help but think it is easier on my molds (I only tap on the handle screw). Good stuff!

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    I like a small 8 oz. dead blow hammer.
    The dead blow aspect delivers the hit power of a heavier hammer without the weight and no bounce off.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    The leather mallets don't rebound either.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by kevin c View Post
    The leather mallets don't rebound either.
    Nope, they don't.

    I'm not really smacking the handle bolts hard anyway but the leather mallet doesn't harm anything. I doubt a small deadblow hammer could do any damage either. It's all about what your hand gets used to...

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check