How to Make Bass Drum Mallets

If you can't find the right kind of bass drum mallet for your needs, there's no reason you can't build one yourself. Here's a simple design for a bass drum mallet that's perfect for playing staccato passages that require precise, loud impacts. You need a few simple tools and materials to make this specialized and useful bass drum mallet.

Things You'll Need

• Vise Drill Lacrosse ball 1.5-inch hickory dowel Wood screw Washer Glue Polyurethane finish stain

Instructions

1. Cut a 1.5-inch diameter piece of hickory dowel rod so that it is 18 inches long. Sand the ends so they're smooth, and coat the rod with a polyurethane finish. This will be the shaft of the mallet. Allow the polyurethane time to cure and dry so it is not sticky to the touch.

2. Clamp the lacrosse ball firmly in a vise. Drill a 1.5-inch diameter hole completely through the ball. Clean out the hole with sandpaper so that there is no residue or shavings left inside.

3. Screw the wood screw with washer into one end of the hickory shaft. Tighten down so that the washer is snug against the end of the shaft.

4. 

   Coat the area an inch behind the washer with glue. Slide the lacrosse ball over the shaft until it rests against the washer. Allow the glue time to set before using the mallet.