A rubber mallet is a handy tool for assembling woodworking projects when you want to avoid damaging the surface. However, most rubber mallets are made of black rubber, which can leave marks on wood.

To prevent black marks, cover the end of the mallet with a white athletic sock. A hammer can be used as a substitute for a rubber mallet by covering the head with a 1” diameter rubber tip.

Rubber tips are available at home improvement stores for use on the bottom of chair legs. Make sure to buy a white, rather than black, rubber tip to prevent black marks on the work.

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Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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