Any experienced DIYer knows how important it is to have the right tools.
Even the most skilled handyperson will struggle without the necessary tools, creating way more hassle than is necessary for the situation.
There are some unsung tools like rubber mallets that will come in handy in certain situations. If you like to tackle DIY projects on a regular basis, make sure that you have a rubber mallet somewhere in your toolbox.
Straightening Bent Metal
Metal can be difficult to rework and reform without the right tools. Metal has serious tensile strength to it, which makes it tougher to form and shape the metal. If you go too hard with a regular hammer, it can leave serious flaws. A rubber mallet is the tool of choice for shaping and straightening metal.
More importantly, you don’t want to dent or damage the metal. A rubber mallet will let you hammer the metal into the shape you want while preserving the surface aesthetic. Using a regular hammer can wind up doing serious damage, rendering that piece useless for your project.
Carpentry and Woodworking
If you find yourself regularly working with wood or happen to be an amateur (or professional) carpenter, then a rubber mallet needs to be part of your repertoire. In woodworking, the entire premise is about joining two pieces of wood together.
The reason to invest in a rubber mallet is to do so without leaving dents or doing damage to the surface of the wood. You can use the mallet in a forceful way in confidence while also using it to drive any nails into the wood without damaging either the wood or the nail. A regular hammer isn’t totally useless in woodworking, but they tend to do more damage than good.
Tension Components
Whether you are working with mechanical or woodworking components that require tension, a rubber mallet is going to be your go-to tool. Tensioning those components is primarily done when reassembling machinery or furniture.
Because of the softer head of the mallet, it doesn’t generate too much force. It is essentially tapping those pieces into place rather than really hammering them. The components wind up in the right position and you have less of a chance of misaligning them. Have a mallet on hand to save yourself serious trouble.
Flooring Installation
It doesn’t matter whether you are laying tile or carpet, it is critical to have tools that aren’t going to mark up the finished surface. For something really delicate like ceramic tile, you really can’t afford to apply too much force because it can shatter that material altogether. That means needing something that can apply force without doing damage along the way.
A rubber mallet is critical for installing carpet or tile. You can gently tap pieces of tile or carpet accurately into place with no worries. Don’t dent or chip the surface of the material, ruining it before it is ever fully installed. There is nothing worse than getting through the installation and finding a damaged piece of material.
Tapping Joints
Joints are a critical part of woodworking. In even the most novice of projects, there are probably going to be joints that need to come together safely and securely. Having a rubber mallet will be your tool of choice in joint tapping.
The softer composition of the rubber will allow you to apply a good amount of force without doing the kind of damage that a metal hammer would. Depending on the wood type in question, you might be able to get away with a metal hammer but why risk it?