Series 4 Production
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A photograph of one of the first Series 4 heads to be produced; from the short run made in Sydney. |
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Series 4 Prototypes
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A prototype of the 4 series head; March 2006 |
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Same prototype |
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The first 4 series prototype during testing;
early 2006 |
Series 4 CAD Design
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A CAD image of the Series 4 head fitted with a shaft |
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A CAD image of the 4 series head during the design process; late
2005 |
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The same in 3/4 view |
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A virtual look see |
Series 3 and earlier mallets
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A view of the 31 Series bolting
system, introduced in November 2005, whereby the weights at each end were
bolted together through the width of the the mallet head
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A narrow Series 3 head, for a player who preferred a 54 mm width and a single sight line
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A Series 3 head with a graphite shaft, with a couple of earlier prototypes |
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A Series 3 head, fitted with tungsten weights. 12" long.
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This is a well used Series 3 head in a prototype graphite shaft.
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A different look. Lead weights concealed behind wood facings. Faces of picconia excelsa |
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A Series 3 head before insertion of weights. Also shown is a tungsten weight.
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The graphite shafts came before the Series 4 graphite heads. They went trough a CAD design process before the tool was cut. |
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I tried making two piece shafts, so that the mallet could be
dismantled and put into a suitcase. Here is a set, showing both a glass
fibre lower shaft and an aluminium lower shaft. I used these shafts
with success overseas, but they were generally too heavy, and the
aluminium suffered from metal fatigue after repeated use, and the glass
fibre absorbed too much energy. And anyway, the lower grip is round,
and thus not perfect.
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After a while, I replaced the balsa wood with air, reasoning that it
was lighter and generally less problematic. At that stage, I was still
using wooden shafts
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My early mallets had balsa wood cores, clad with hardwood. Here is one fitted with a laser sight for practicing purposes |
