I made my own. First I made the handle. Using a piece of red oak, planed 1 1/2" square I ran it across my bench top shaper table with a 3/4" round over bit, doing all four edges. I stopped rounding before the end to give it a square end. This works very well for a handle, mine is about 40-42" long. Then I took a block of softwood, (spruce or pine) 6"x8"x14" and rounded off all the edges, and ends with the same round over bit. Be sure your ends are cut square. Then I bored a hole 1 1/2" in diameter, threw the 8" way, but I've seen them the 6" way also. You insert the handle and slide the head down to the square end. This will prevent the head from flying off while swinging. Heads are made of softwood to not dent timbers, and make extra heads to take to jobs so if this head splits, and it will, you can replace it and continue to use it on your raising. I made another with a smaller head and shorter handle, for smaller jobs. I also made my own mallets for chisels, (I didn't want to pay $46 or more at tool store). Chisel mallet heads are hardwoods. Hope is helpful, if you need a picture and your email program can open it I'll send you one. Good luck Jim.
[This message has been edited by J Rogers (edited 03-27-2001).]
