A hammer is one of the most common tools you will find in any toolbox. Even those who aren’t terribly handy probably have a hammer laying around somewhere. But a hammer isn’t necessarily the best tool you can use for any pounding or striking.
Rubber mallets are a great alternative to metal hammers, giving you similar power with enough finesse to not do damage to the surface in question. If you aren’t familiar with them, you definitely need to have a rubber mallet (or two) in your arsenal.
Rubber Mallets are Safer for Surfaces
Metal hammers deliver quite a bit of force. But anyone who has ever swung one before knows that accidents happen and you can miss the mark. If you are lucky enough to miss your fingers, you are probably unlucky enough to have hit the surface you were hammering. In some cases, that’s not a big deal. If you can’t afford scratches or dings, it can wind up being a big problem.
When doing DIY work around your property, a rubber mallet should be in your toolbox. The softer head means that you don’t run the risk of imprinting marks, scuffs, dents, or dings should you miss the mark. You are compromising a little power but in those settings, you typically need a little finesse rather than a lot of power.
They’re Safer for You, Too
Most home DIYers have had the unfortunate instance of missing a nail and connecting with fingers instead. If you’re lucky, nothing more than a little pain and a lot of curse words will follow. But if you’re not so lucky, it might involve a trip to the emergency room.
Having a rubber mallet or two means keeping yourself protected from those situations. While it might not be ideal to miss and hit your fingers, it won’t do nearly as much damage. Just remember that the softer surface has some bounce to it, so there is a bit of recoil when you swing it. The heavier your swing, the more bounce back you see. Just stay alert or you could have an unfortunate face-to-face meeting with your mallet.
Rubber Mallets are Versatile
While those are more than enough reasons to invest in a few rubber mallets, that’s not even scratching the surface (metaphorically speaking). Rubber mallets will wind up being one of the most versatile tools on your workbench before long since they can be used in so many situations and projects.
Rubber mallets can be used for simple things like light hammering, closing a paint can lid, snugging up some PVC pipe, or tapping carpeting into place. It can also be for bigger DIY projects like tapping pavers or bricks into sand, shifting drywall for a more accurate installation, or forming sheet metal without causing any damage to the surface.
The Pros and Cons of Rubber Mallets
Like any tool, there are good things and bad things about them. The good is that they provide a gentler tap than a metal hammer, making it ideal for more delicate applications. They also come in a variety of styles and weights so you can find the right rubber mallet for any situation or setting.
On the downside, you have to be careful about which mallet you choose. If you pick a dark one, it can definitely scuff. Choose white or grey to avoid that. The rubber head, being softer than a metal hammer, can also wear down quickly if used for the wrong applications. There is also the bounce back factor mentioned above, creating potential accidents if you’re not paying attention.
