What is a beetle (mallet)?
A beetle is a heavy hammering tool with a wooden head, used to drive posts, stakes and wedges or to tamp earth. The head usually has two identical, flat striking faces and is often bound with iron or steel bands so it does not split under repeated heavy blows. The word goes back to Old English and simply means a beating tool. The Dutch equivalent is a “sleg”.
Characteristics
- Wooden head. Wood is softer than steel, so the top of a timber post is less likely to split or mushroom than when struck with a steel sledgehammer.
- Two identical faces. Unlike a claw or ball-peen hammer, both ends do the same job.
- Heavy, two-handed. A beetle is swung with both hands, like a sledgehammer.
- Metal bands. Hoops round the head hold the timber together; an unbanded head soon splits.
A beetle is a hand tool for small posts and stakes. It should not be confused with the drop hammer of a piling rig, which drives foundation piles mechanically.
Application
Typical uses are fencing posts, stakes for setting out, timber edging and driving wedges when splitting logs.
- Point the post. A sharpened end goes in more easily and stays straighter.
- Start it plumb. Tap the post in lightly and check it with a spirit level before driving it hard.
- Hit square. Strike with the full face; glancing blows push the post off line and damage the head.
- Work safely. Wear safety boots and gloves, keep others clear and never let anyone hold the post while you strike.
- Check the tool. Loose bands or a cracked head need repairing before further use.
Common mistake: driving timber posts with a steel sledgehammer, which splits and splays the post top.
Related terms
- Hammer
- Sledgehammer
- Fence post
- Wedge
- Pile driving hammer
- Spirit level
Want to know more about building terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.