Hardwood Floors August/September 2025

THE RUBBER CAP Perhaps the most critical wear component of the flooring mallet is the rubber striking cap. Wood flooring mallets use a very high quality rubber that contains a high percentage of natural rubber, similar to the material used in tire manufacturing. This type of rubber is chosen for its durability and resistance to breaking down over time. According to Todd Anstett of Powernail, “lower

Rubber striking caps

Rubber cup ring

quality rubbers can dry-rot, crack, or crumble, especially in dry climates or after prolonged storage. This is why we opt for the higher quality rubber.” Rubber hardness varies among manufacturers and affects both the mallet’s impact behavior and its potential to damage flooring. Harder rubber transfers more energy with less compression, which may increase the risk of denting wood or scuffing finishes. Softer rubber cushions the blow more effectively, but can leave heavier marks and break down more quickly. Rubber caps also are available in different colors, usually black or white. Traditionally, black rubber mallets were used for unfinished flooring, and white rubber was used for factory-finished flooring. The natural color of the rubber is tan; white rubber is bleached, and black rubber is pigmented. According to Anstett, both color options typically offer comparable performance, though many installers still favor white rubber to avoid potentially leaving black scuffs on the finished floor. THE CUP RING OR CLAMP To keep the rubber cap securely attached to the mallet head, a cup ring or clamp is used. This component fits snugly around the base of the rubber, where it attaches to the mallet head, preventing it from shifting or detaching during repetitive use. These clamps can vary slightly in form; some are rigid cups, while others are metal ring clamps, but the principle is the

nailers, which are activated by a simple strike, 1.5- and 3-pound mallets are most common. The lighter 1.5-pound mallets reduce fatigue and allow for faster work without overdriving the plunger. Anstett noted, “the heavier 5-pound mallet originally was intended for use with manual nailers, which require more force to operate.” Personal preference also plays a role. Some installers favor heavier mallets for their momentum and reduced effort per strike, while others prefer lighter tools for improved speed and reduced strain.

same, keeping the rubber on the mallet head. MALLET WEIGHT AND USE CASES

The overall weight of the mallet is determined mostly by the type of nailer and installer preference. For pneumatic

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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