Exclusive Video: Hammers and Mallets in the Shop
Added 2022-01-15 12:00:04 +0000 UTCFriends:
After a much-needed break, we’re back! We’ve taken a little time rest AND we’ve already stared on a fresh batch of videos. This week, a Patron exclusive video inspired by discussions on the Discourse Forum.
Next week, we’ll return with the next installment in our Introduction to Turning series and there’s so much more to come.
It’s 2022, y’all!
--Rex
Comments
Really happy you took some time for yourself. Thanks for all your videos, happy to see the long form or the short form, mostly happy just to see you figure out what's sustainable for you.
Em Grasmeder
2022-03-11 16:26:42 +0000 UTCI have the Gramercy.
Rex Krueger
2022-02-01 14:30:55 +0000 UTCIt seems like it would be, doesn't it? Another disappointment.
Rex Krueger
2022-02-01 14:26:57 +0000 UTCGreat video Rex. Funnily enough it made me dig out an almost exact copy of that little mallet you show at one point. I've used it to set the blade on wood bodied planes but yes its not particularly great at that!
Clive Vella
2022-01-29 12:41:47 +0000 UTCwhat blade do you have in the bow saw???
bob lawson
2022-01-22 16:26:09 +0000 UTCrelax rex
Stefan Blümke
2022-01-19 16:34:11 +0000 UTCI am going to build the Quick-Stack workbench, then sell off most of my power tools…going hand to hand combat with wood…so soon in OKC.
Tim Costello
2022-01-17 18:18:59 +0000 UTCLast year, i started taking weekend off. Game-changer.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 17:24:22 +0000 UTCI give a lot of tools away, for sure. As to the c-clamps.....well I come from a family of metal-workers. What are you gonna do?
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 17:23:59 +0000 UTCI could, for sure, but if I'm going to use a metal hammer anyway, then I'd prefer to use one that already on my bench.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 17:23:05 +0000 UTCI appreciate that very much!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 17:22:34 +0000 UTCThe Mortise and Tenon guys need to stop ripping me off!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 17:22:18 +0000 UTCWell played.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 16:01:27 +0000 UTCOften tell people "You think you hate your boss? Try working for yourself."
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 16:01:18 +0000 UTCThank you!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 16:00:46 +0000 UTCIt was lovely. Hope you enjoyed yours.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 16:00:36 +0000 UTCThank you!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 16:00:22 +0000 UTCYou also wrote "new batch of video" which is also a typo. :)
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 16:00:14 +0000 UTCI cannot be bothered to sell the tools I don't use. I just give them away. You get karma for free.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:59:05 +0000 UTCIt's been a nice break.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:58:33 +0000 UTCHappy New Year to you too! Thanks for the kind words!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:57:59 +0000 UTCSooooo, when's the next garage sale?
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:57:12 +0000 UTCBurnout is funny. It comes on all of a sudden. You feel fine....until you don't.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:56:48 +0000 UTCIt sounds like you and I have had a lot of the same struggles. Trying to be a top-performer is a race that no one wins.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:56:18 +0000 UTCI spend a whole day on that every few months. Things get out of order in a hurry.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:54:13 +0000 UTCGood luck!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:53:47 +0000 UTCI'm not sure that's true (although I yield to those with more experience). It's really proportioned for metal-work. It's far stubbier than a carpenter's hammer and the pein was very dull and rounded. I think you might mean "Warrington Hammer" and it's definitely not one of those. I own a bunch and this thing isn't even close in terms of size and shape. (But again, I am humble before those who know more than I. )
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:51:50 +0000 UTCI have a nice footstool in the works and I plan to make several piece on the little lathe. Turned furniture is very accessible.
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:47:48 +0000 UTCMaybe I just have my finger on the pulse of the craft...but thank you!
Rex Krueger
2022-01-17 15:46:09 +0000 UTCGreat video Rex! As a fellow take on everything without regard to whether I have time or energy for it person, I’m glad you found a rest period. Thanks for all of inspiration and guidance you’ve provided over the last 8 months since I found you on YouTube. I look forward to learning more and working more once I finish up my first workbench which I am basing off the quick stack bench you designed. Keep up the good work, but take care of yourself first. HNY
Brian Sevilla
2022-01-17 14:20:57 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed the video, Rex. The other day I was thinking "That Rex guy hasn't released a video for a while". Then I thought about you and not my wish to watch something. I do know that there is no way you could, or should continue without taking real time off. Rest is so important. Besides, to me working with hand tools is all about rest and relaxation.
Jeff Stauffer
2022-01-16 22:31:09 +0000 UTCRex, I am happy for and the gang took some time off. Great video, I myself have a bit of a hoarder issue with hammers but with reasoning. In my work working tools I keep a standard claw hammer, a wooden mallet, needing a tack but i'll find one soon. I have rubber mallets, brass headed ones for metal work so I do not damage the steel. And then I have one small ball peen I engraved on the handle "SPECIAL" so I do not use it for anything else then its one purpose. That hammer I polished the head on to get rid of any marks, its like a mirror, learned it from a professional gunsmith. The purpose and reasoning is if you have a piece of metal with a mauled surfaced (say its got a giant scrap, or a gouge) you can use this thing to help push the metal back into its place. Works great as an aid for repairing tools that have taking a beating when restoring them.
Solia
2022-01-16 16:50:42 +0000 UTCRex glad you and the crew had some time off! Ah so glad to see you hoard more than awesome wood working tools😀. When you discussed your smithing hammers I noticed some touch marks who made them?
The Super-wrench Garage
2022-01-16 14:14:10 +0000 UTCHi Rex, I really appreciate that you convert inches and feet to centimetres and meters in your videos, knowing people outside of US understand metric way better. I think you are one of the very few great woodworker from the US who do this. Thank you. Could you do the same conversion for pounds, too, please?
Csongor Halmai
2022-01-16 12:41:56 +0000 UTCHappy New Year, Rex! Thanks for the video, and you take whatever time you need to keep yourself healthy. We'll be here. :)
Kenneth Carlile
2022-01-16 03:18:26 +0000 UTCHit the nail on the head, Jeff.
Michael Long
2022-01-16 02:01:04 +0000 UTCI get it... self employed, never off, moving form one task to the next... Glad you took time to rest and recharge.
Gil Grimes
2022-01-16 00:30:28 +0000 UTCI can really relate to this video I too have a drawer in my Craftsman toolbox solely devoted to hammers. It’s maxed out and I have a rule before I add a new tool I have to purge one or reorganize some space. The latter is giving diminishing returns now. My shop is small and I found that if a tool isn’t accessible no matter useful it might be, it might as well be on the moon. I had a great file set for years that sat wrapped up in the bottom of drawer that I hardly used. I built a hanging tool rack and I use them all the time now. I don’t have a tack hammer and you reminded me that I should have one. Now do I get rid of the extra smaller rubber mallet or the larger ball peen hammer? What to do with the surplus tools is easy. Give some to the kid across the street and the rest head to Goodwill. They’ve gotten to know my face there. Now let’s talk about all those c-clamps you use as a back drop.
Richard C von Brecht
2022-01-15 23:25:23 +0000 UTCYou just can't beat a good pun.
Jeff Tinsley
2022-01-15 22:06:31 +0000 UTCCool vid. Maybe you could try using your little Stanley ball peen hammer to adjust your plane irons instead of that cute little plane adjusting hammer. Just a thought.
Scott Alderfer
2022-01-15 21:25:44 +0000 UTCI have to echo what a lot of people are saying. Enjoy your job and if not, make changes. It seems you are doing this. Great! If 2 vids a month work-do it! Thanks Rex for the hard work you and your team do. Happy New Year!
John Hiemstra
2022-01-15 21:19:41 +0000 UTCGreat video and topic, Rex. Hammers and mallets of all types, shapes and sizes do certainly seem to accumulate over time! I saw the point you made on the claw hammer to adjust wooden planes and I had recently seen something about that on a Mortise and Tenon video. Looking forward to seeing that tool chest build and the upcoming lathe videos. And, I totally get the burn-out thing, so do what you need to take care of yourself.
Sean O'Neill
2022-01-15 20:34:02 +0000 UTCSomeone has to say it... Your video on hammers, uh nailed it! :)
Stuart
2022-01-15 18:51:24 +0000 UTCGlad to see you back Rex. The worst boss I ever had was pushy, drove his only employee hard and was a general jerk. Hated seeing him in the mirror every morning. Without those guard rails you mentioned you can get a little too far off the main road and end up in a wreck. Personally, I would rather see Rex twice a month and doing great than see Rex every week not having fun. The having fun Rex is much more entertaining and spirit lifting. Take care and looking forward to a great 2022.
Matt Evans-Koch
2022-01-15 18:17:48 +0000 UTCGreat to see you back and glad to hear you got in the much-needed R&R.
Sean McGown
2022-01-15 17:49:29 +0000 UTCCheer's Rex, that was a brill vid. I hope you and your's had a brill Christmas and new year :)
Jim
2022-01-15 17:46:37 +0000 UTCWelcome back
Bill Brown
2022-01-15 16:23:09 +0000 UTCWhy have you stared on a new batch of video? Was there something wrong with them? Sorry. It’s just too easy to point out proofreading errors. Signed: retired and board (see what I did there?)
Bill Brown
2022-01-15 16:22:38 +0000 UTCIt seems I have a very similar hammer/mallet collection. Time to give some away. I’ve been doing that more now, between space in shop and needs of tool types. Good time for reviewing, Thanks Rex.
Don Heselton
2022-01-15 16:08:56 +0000 UTCGreat to have you back Rex! Also glad you got to take a break, sometimes you just need to step away to recharge and clear the mind.
Matt Cottrill
2022-01-15 15:57:48 +0000 UTCEchoing the others, it's tough to work for yourself so it's good you're aware and adjusting for it. We want you healthy and happy because we like seeing you that way! And so does your family, no doubt. Happy New Year.
Dean Wight
2022-01-15 15:57:47 +0000 UTCYea…tool hoarder here. I have also slowed down and have had garage sales to sell off to other beginning hoarders.
Tim Costello
2022-01-15 14:28:18 +0000 UTCThanks for this. Interesting, educational and entertaining. You look more relaxed, glad you took the time you needed. Just remember everyone gets burnout and you are no exception, continue to be a good boss to yourself and step in to ensure your taking care of yourself too. Thanks again for this video. It is appreciated.
Robert Bullock
2022-01-15 14:04:31 +0000 UTCGreat video Rex, just wanted to echo the need for rest and commiserate with how much of a struggle it can be to manage the anxiety of your workload and expectations. I've been off work more than three years now after burning out hard in IT, the drive that pushes you to be a top performer can be a double edged sword. In my case I haven't been able to make a return to IT work, I may never be able to go back to it. Take the time you need to be well, keep listening to your body when it's telling you it needs a break. It's so important. I hope you're finding your rhythm so you can keep on living the dream - and so we can enjoy watching it. Cheers!
Barmp
2022-01-15 13:37:56 +0000 UTCGreat video, I have been concentrating on getting my shop cleaned up and organized. I spend the morning working on the current project. Break for lunch and spend the afternoon, organizing and cleaning.
Skully Wood and Metal
2022-01-15 13:34:57 +0000 UTCBurnout is real and it’s good you took time for self care. Thanks for the video! I plan to build my own mallet soon.
FixMasterMike
2022-01-15 13:17:31 +0000 UTCGreat video as always Rex . As an accomplished blacksmith I am compelled to tell you that the small cross peen hammer is a Wellington hammer made to adjust wooden plains. Give it a try and you will love it. I have been commissioned to make 4 of them for various historical carpentry shops.
Trampis Porter
2022-01-15 13:15:37 +0000 UTCNice video, it's interesting to see your shop in this informal setting. Do you have any furniture projects in the works? I see people making your furniture a lot on the discourse, having a few more simple options would inspire a lot of us, I think!
Conor Mow-Lowry
2022-01-15 12:59:32 +0000 UTCI've litterally just typed in "Types of mallets" in google this very minute! So weird! You're a psychic too, Rex! Wow :^D
Thomas Hverring
2022-01-15 12:01:58 +0000 UTC
