Anyone use a mallet in building?

Lo1sJess

Looking for something to help ensure bricks and plates are fully seated particularly for baseplate build ups.  What, if anything, do you use?
Thanks!

karrit

I push with my fingers or the brick separator tool for leverage.  I would be afraid of cracking bricks using anything more forceful.

Switchfoot55

Lois, I've always been curious about how others manage this as well. I watch shows like LEGO Masters and see most of the contestants using some form of small mallet to secure plates on larger displays. 

I feel like there are a few users here that have gone this direction and can hopefully chime in with their recommendations!

Fauch

they are building like crazy in lego masters, that may just be to not hurt their fingers

autolycus

I’ve noticed on Lego Masters that sometimes you’ll see them using a jewelers mallet. I’ve been tempted to get one to try it out for big sets with large overlapping plates, but haven’t done it yet.

GrannyLEGO

autolycus said:

I’ve noticed on Lego Masters that sometimes you’ll see them using a jewelers mallet. I’ve been tempted to get one to try it out for big sets with large overlapping plates, but haven’t done it yet.

I've got a small jeweler's hammer which I use when needed on the larger plates. I do okay with finger pressure on the smaller stuff but the bigger plates ended up using my whole hand and aggravated my arthritis which seems to be otherwise imp[roved by the finger exercise of Lego building.

CCC

I use my hands. If you are building 1m+ high structures from 2x4 studs up bricks that are going to be transported and displayed where people may touch them, I can understand using a mallet. But for small,  intricate builds with any interesting SNOT work,  there is little point.

daewoo

I use a rubber mallet when building MILs, especially when I'm adding the top plate layer.  Not much force is needed, just gentle taps are enough to seat them firmly.  I do it mainly to save wear and tear on my fingers.

lowlead

Only to fix my computer.

Lo1sJess

@daewoo MILs is where I was having issues.  @lowlead agreed!

Thanks everyone for responses - always learning new things here.

Astrobricks

You guys must really hate your Mothers-In-Law to be hitting them with mallets.

daewoo

Well, my ex-mother-in-law deserved it sometimes.  :p

Sethro3

You mean when I get frustrated with a build and the way it worked out in my head doesn't work out in real brick...no ;P