What is the best type of mallet with which to strike a chisel?

Question

What is the best type of mallet with which to strike a chisel?

Answer 1

it depends on the chisel

some more modern ones are designed to be hit with mallets or hammers. typically plastic handles sometimes metal end caps.

others are mallet, wood, only. typically wooden handles. may have a metal ring at the striking end

some are not to be struck at all. typically paring chisels and other fine tools

see the instructions for the chisel you are thinking of

Answer 2

A wooden mallet is traditional but rubber mallets have a bit more weight. On no account should you ever use a hammer.

Answer 3

In large measure it depends on the chisel and what you're striking it onto.

  Certainly for fine or rough woodwork, a wooden mallet might work, though with care, a rock would be as functional.

  If your chiseling door jambs to accept hinges, a cheap hammer can be effective. Stone, etc... a hammer as well.

  Part of the issue too, involves the operator.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

Answer 4

WOW .... Never heard of using a rubber mallet on a chisel before??!! thought rubber ones were used for pounding on hubcaps, woodworking, stuff like that....

But back to the chisel.... What kind of chisel?? for wood or Rock, metal??  

A wooden mallet for light working, and a small ball peen for a bit more hard work (hard woods)  but with rock , use a good 8-10 lb sledge hammer! also with a cold chisel!

Answer 5

Depends what kind of chisel, I have taken to useing a rubber mallet on my wooden handled wood chisels as it is less bulky to carry around, and I can use it for other tasks where a hammer or wooden mallet may cause damage. Over the years I have used a hammer but it makes a mess of your chisels.

Answer 6

if your chisel is sharp you in no way need a hammer

unless you are carving stone...

Answer 7

What type of chisel is it ?

Answer 8

A carpenter's chisel with a steel head is  struck w/ a hammer.

Woodcarvers  chisels that have a wood or leather head are struck w/ a wooden mallet, maul or a rawhide hammer.

Mason's chisels are  used w/ a hand sledge.or hammer

Stone carvers use wooden mauls

Answer 9

Wooden.

Answer 10

i see all these answers-lol-I've used a hammer all my life for all types of chiseling-smaller the chisel the softer the blows

Answer 11

a big one