Making a croquet set?

Hi Gregg

There is a good write-up in The Best of Fine Woodworking, if you can get a hold of it that would be all you need. ISBN 1-56158-021-X

Mallets can be rectangle, cylinder, hex or octagon It tells you mallet size 2 1/4"X2 1/4" X 9" weight 2 3/4 lb to 3 1/2 lb Woods used lignum vitae, or dense hardwood like ebony, rosewood, hard maple etc. Balls are 3 1/8" and weight 1 lb. and made from hard wood like hard maple and lead filled to the 1 lb. regulation ball weight.

Hope this is some help to you.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Gregg wrote:

Does that write-up cover how to get the lead into the balls, and centered there? Only way I can think of is to rough turn the ball, cut exactly in half, turn a center cavity in both halves, put in shot or a lead ball to size, glue back together and finish turn. A lot of work! Brings to mind the possibility of drilling, filling and plugging, with the weight as far OFF center as possible, to create a "loaded" ball that would drive people crazy (heh heh) ;)

Hi GP

Yes it does. They, (He), drill 6 holes 90 degrees apart and pack in the lead, then plug with dowels, etc.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote:

If you are making it for fun and not for competition, make the ball out of a harder wood than the mallet. This will lessen the dings in the ball. robo hippy

Thanks, Leo. Yeah, that would work, just didn't think of it.

What was the date of the original FWW article ?

Thanks for any info.

Hi there

The article is in a book called "The Best Of Fine Woodworking".

The Best Of Fine Woodworking, is a book with articles out of issues 46 through 80 of the Fine Woodworking magazine, the ISBN number for ordering if still available anywhere is ISBN 1-56158-021-X Maybe your library has or can get a hold of it.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Wood Butcher wrote: