A rubber mallet is a mallet with a rubber head, used when a softer blow is called for than that delivered by a wooden mallet or metal hammer. Rubber mallets are used to bend and shape sheet metal, since they don't leave marks, as well as for forcing tight-fitting wooden parts together, for shifting plasterboard into place, and in upholstery. They weigh 12 to 28 ounces and have a wooden handle. Most have non-marring bounce resistant (dead blow) heads.