Bowling Pin Woodworker's Mallet

[Chris Padilla]

So they use maple for bowling pins, eh? Maple on the floor...maple in the pins...I think I see a pattern there.

Nice idea!

[Frank Townend]

Thanks Michael, head on over before the 32,000 other wood turners in your neighborhood beat you to it.

Right you are Chris, I guess when you hear someone is planning a bowling alley in your town, start planting Maple trees.

[David Walser]

Frank,

Cool mallet. One question, what type of wood is the bowling pin made from? I assume it needs to be hard and heavy -- even though it's coated with plastic.

[Chris Huybregts]

Work had our christmas party at the "main event" (video game, bowling, laser tag, etc) and after getting spanked bowling, while turning in my shoes, I asked the worker what he did with their bad pins, sure enough, he walked behind the counter and gave me one.

I will be attempting to make a mallet this weekend!

[Frank Townend]

David it is Maple, glued strips.
Chris, great job scoring a pin! I'm looking forward to your results.

[Pat Zabrocki]

What a great idea and great job too!! As with others, I'll have to copy this idea. Again, very nicely done!
Cheers
Pat

[Chris Huybregts]

Hey Frank, I'll definitely post my results! (Week 3 of turning, so, we'll see how good the mallet turns out

[Frank Townend]

Thank you Pat, don't forget to post your results.
I think you will enjoy it Chris.
My posting above is a little abbreviated due to the maximum number of photos allowed per post, but I drove a wooden dowel into the hole at the bottom of the pin so my spur center had something to bite into:



Also take your time getting the rings of plastic off.

Good luck!

[Larry Marley]

Nice job Frank,
I learned to turn these from Greg Huff of Joplin, MO.

[Frank Townend]

Thank you Larry and I think you and Greg started something.
I think it is a great project for any skill level and it allows the turner to personalize the shape to his or her taste. I am looking forward to seeing how others "turn" out.

Thank you and Thank you Greg!

[Dale Bright]

Frank,

Are you going to bring your mallet to Show and Tell at the CAW meeting in Feb.?

Dale

[Frank Townend]

Thanks, as a matter of fact I was planning to do so Dale.
And I thought I would answer the call for Newsletter articles by putting together a little show and tell.
Thanks for asking!