LexRides

beardcrumbs · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: Polo Mallets

OK, so we need mallets. The public mallet pool is shrinking fast. We don't have enough mallets to play two simultaneous games of three on three as the supply stands, and that is including the personal mallets that a few of us have made for ourselves.
We have about a dozen serious and regular players, over half of whom don't have their own mallet. Brian and a few others have graciously made several mallets and donated them to the group without monetary compensation. The problem is these mallets take time and money to build and we can't rely on a few to continue to supply the group. If you are one of those regulars you should have your own mallet and it is time to pony up. I understand that not everyone has the time/tools/skill to make their own but i want everyone to have at least one mallet that they take home with them.
Here's the plan:
Brian and I have agreed to make the mallets and sell them at cost.
Hopefully TG will be sending us a bundle of ski poles in the very near future, but we owe him for shipping$. The mallet head material that most of us like, the 2 1/4" white tubing, costs over five dollars per mallet plus a few cents for hardware$. Also, we do need to replenish the public mallet supply, a few more bucks$. I anticipate each mallet costing around ten dollars.
If the poles arrive a week before chicago then we can have mallets made in time for the tournament.

Let me know what you think.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I have enough head material to make 9 community mallets... most of which is from head material that was salvaged from previous mallets that have broken in the past few months. Just need the poles.

I enjoy making mallets, but I can't continue to fund them by myself.

I do not enjoy making golf club mallets, or wooden mallets. Today, I ruined about $15 worth of tools making a mallet that is worth no more than $5. I agree with Grant that the people who play regularly need to start taking stock in the group as a whole, if we are to continue to enjoy playing with the luxuries we've grown accustomed to. This goes for community bikes as well.
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drewbles · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

andy recently scrounged up two ski poles and some help turning them into mallets wound be greatly appreciated. my dad is sending a few golf club shafts and i'm going to try and get some ski poles from my brother in washington state. assuming at least one other person builds a new mallet, we should be good during the coming week or so. brian and grant, thanks so much for your help with these. you are both right, regulars need to start ponying up for their own mallets and mallets they've broken.
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pterodactyl bike gang for life!

beardcrumbs · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:40 am Post subject:

Drew
I would be glad to help you and andy make mallets. Gather your materials and let me know when you're ready. You might ask brian for an old mallet head or order the 2 1/4" from McMaster-Carr

http://www.mcmaster.com/

item #: 8705K93

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

well, we did not get any significant number of ski poles in time for the tournament like I had hoped for, so everyone who has their own mallet, or has one they've been sitting on... please bring it to Chicago with you if you are going.

I'm bringing three, and I think Grant (who's riding up with me) may have two.
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