Fireplace Mantel ?

[statjunk]

Hey guys,

I've never built a fireplace mantel and wanted to know if any of you have. I'm looking to use some real nice crown molding and for it to finish off with some dental molding.

I could wing it but figured I'd throw it out there first. Here are couple of things I know I need help with, however there are probably things I don't know I need help with.

How is the interior box typically built?

Any info or web info you can provide would be appreciated.

Tom

[jimbo]

I would look at ThisOldHouse, dot com, or Fine Woodworking Magazine. Norm has built some, as has Tommy Silva. I expect you could find stuff all over the google. You are correct that you start with a basic box, and build up profiles with moldings.

[Howard Emerson]

Tom,
I don't know if it will help at all, but I have built my own mantle. It's just that it's probably not what you have in mind in terms of style, but I will say that it's probably the longest one most people have seen.

There used to be floor to ceiling windows, but we wanted a more horizontal look with practical applications.

Regards,
Howard

[Howard Emerson]

Tom,
Simply by putting 'Building a fireplace mantel' in Google came back with this:

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60392

It appears to be exactly what you're considering.

HE

[statjunk]

Howard,

You're certainly talented! Very nice mantle/show piece.

Thanks for the link. My mantle is going to be quite different and probably easier than the one they show there. Once I get past the how best to approach it part I'm good to go. Obviously I know I could wing it and get there. Since I'm not in a rush I'm looking for the best way.

So let me explain more on what I'm looking at. It's an all stone fireplace, that I built. It comes away from the wall approximately 11". The challenge here is that the stone isn't flat so I have to make sure the mantle exceeds the furthest point on the fireplace (the largest protrusion if you will). The fireplace is approximately 78" wide (protrusions also in this dimension). When I built it I sent the tops of the stone just above the brick underlayment and filled the top with unused mortor to create a nice flat surface for the mantle. The top stones are cut by a saw so I need the mantle when completed to drop just below the top of the fireplace.

Is it just as simple as measuring out the largest box that will fit over the largest protrusions, add enough interior wood so that it's supported by the top of the fireplace and then trim it out?

Some direction would be great. I can supply pictures but have no way to shrink them for the web.

Thanks

Tom

[Howard Emerson]

Hi Tom,
So you just want a horizontal piece over the existing stone, with no side returns, yes?

Pictures would definitely help.

It almost sounds like you'll need to be scribing to the stones in certain places, and this is not really hard to do, but it takes a jig saw and lots of forethought.

When we see the pictures it will be easier to say what's up and what's not.

HE

[statjunk]

Hey Howard or anyone else that cares,

I've figured out a way to get you some pics. I'm going to post them on craigslist.org and then post the link here. Should be completed soon.

Yes I believe that there are returns. Meaning that there will be two miters on either end of the mantel. It isn't an elaborate project. Just want some basics because I really don't have the funds to screw this up.

I'm wanting to use Oak and stain.

I will post the link shortly.

Tom

[Cookie]

Howard,

You're certainly talented! Very nice mantle/show piece.

Thanks for the link. My mantle is going to be quite different and probably easier than the one they show there. Once I get past the how best to approach it part I'm good to go. Obviously I know I could wing it and get there. Since I'm not in a rush I'm looking for the best way.

So let me explain more on what I'm looking at. It's an all stone fireplace, that I built. It comes away from the wall approximately 11". The challenge here is that the stone isn't flat so I have to make sure the mantle exceeds the furthest point on the fireplace (the largest protrusion if you will). The fireplace is approximately 78" wide (protrusions also in this dimension). When I built it I sent the tops of the stone just above the brick underlayment and filled the top with unused mortor to create a nice flat surface for the mantle. The top stones are cut by a saw so I need the mantle when completed to drop just below the top of the fireplace.

Is it just as simple as measuring out the largest box that will fit over the largest protrusions, add enough interior wood so that it's supported by the top of the fireplace and then trim it out?

Some direction would be great. I can supply pictures but have no way to shrink them for the web.

Thanks

Tom

Did you try posting your pictures Tom? The reason I ask, is I am pretty sure, they will get shrunk to the size here, when you go to manage attachments. Terry would know for sure, or Redwood because he is very good with computers.

But, I do think, I posted pictures too large and they got sized to fit the web. If you haven't tried maybe, give it a try, then, if not try Craig's List.

Just my 2 cents worth here,
Cookie Always with a smile!