Vise Handles

Turn the spindle with the solid head to dimensions. Bore a hole through a 1¼” square block and fit the block snugly to the end of the spindle. Turn this block to the same dimensions as the other head. This method will save chucking the second head and is much quicker.

Mallets and Gavels

The biggest source of trouble in these models is getting the handles to fit true. This is caused by not getting the hole in the head straight.
Turn the head to a cylinder 3/16” larger than the finished dimension. Then bore the hole perpendicular to the axis as near as possible, either by leaving it between the lathe centers or by placing it in a vise. The handle is then fitted into the head. A snug fit is necessary. If one side “hangs” or is lower than the other the centers are moved sufficiently to correct it. The head is then turned to exact size and finished.