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need mantel ideas

4K views 32 replies 9 participants last post by  carpdad 
#1 ·
My wife really wants me to build a mantel over our fireplace this year but I'm having a hard time visualizing what it would look like given the rough stonework around the fireplace and the fact that the fireplace is right-justified with respect to the wall that it was built into. See pics below. Any ideas?







 
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#28 ·
Yes nj, you would have visible gaps underneath.

Carp dad, the stone is Pennsylvania mica. It's various shades of
gray with specs of mica going through it.

Here is a pic of the underneath...French cleats would never draw it
close enough to hug the stone.

We have more mantles that we built, if your interested in seeing more pics.
The latest one we did last month was over a 65" TV. The biggest one we
ever did was a 12ft long one between the living room and dining room.
Heck, we even have them over our windows and doors...:laughing:
I drive my guy crazy, that's for sure!
Joann
 

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#9 ·
we have a stone fireplace like yours ( bumpy stone) We scribed the wood
to match the stone. Our mantle is hollow in the middle , so
the bottom and top of the mantle was scribe separately, then the front
was put on.
We screwed angle hooks (3) onto the FP, then beefed it up with wood, then
slipped on the finished mantle.

I have pics of the project if your interested.
Joann
 
#10 ·
Use same stone for the hearth at half scale but about the same shape?
Grout joint would look about the same as what's there now.

But actually, your wife should search for images and decide what she likes.:)
Keep in mind that the fireplace you have is not in a center piece location.
 
#13 ·
I'm not a decorator, but do have an eye for what looks good.

firstly, it looks like there is about 12" on the right side to the stone side wall?
I would start by making the mantle die into the right wall.
I would measure it out and have the same distance on the left side for the mantle.
If it is about 12" ...then go 12" past the end of the Fireplace opening on each side.

Then you need to choose a mantle style and thickness. Since the stone is
busy I would understate the mantle and not get too fancy with the design.

Now for the thickness, it should be at least 3 to 31/2" thick.

As far as the height goes, I like mantles a little higher than the norn.

I suggest that you take some stiff oak tag or cardboard and mock it up,
both length and width, then tape it to the stone.

You have to decide this first in order to scribe out your wood to fit snuggly to the stone.

Same thing with the brackets, if you choose to do brackets.
Joann

Here is our scribed mantle, being glued up. Both bottom of wood and top
of wood have to be scribed.
 

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#15 ·
My hubby used a piece of wood with a hole in it for the pencil.
You have to hold up the length of the wood
on the stone...then starting at the widest point draw along the stone all
the way down the wood, or you can use a compass as well.

I hope a real carpenter can jump in and help me out with how to do this.

You don't need a router...I know he used a jig saw, as we used 3/4" wood
for both the top and the bottom.

We used corner braces to mount the mantle. The mantle is hollow so it
just slips in...We didn't have to do anything else to hold it there -- cause
it fits so tightly.

here is another pic of the mantle being glued up.
 

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#18 ·
Finished mantle. wood is walnut...keep in mind your stone is busy,
so you may want to choose a wood without a lot of movement
in it such as flat sawn oak.

You may also want to consider brackets, which I'm considering
now...
The mantle is 10" deep.

Hope this helps in your decision.

The mantle helps to transform your Fireplace from a rustic and
masculine fireplace to a fireplace with some feminine spirits as well...:yes:.
 

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#20 ·
All I can say is WOW. That is very impressive. I'm capable of doing small projects around a house but nothing that requires craftwork like this. The stonework around your fireplace looks very similar to mine so at least I know it's possible but I think I'm going to have to hire someone to make it for me. There's just no other way simply because of the stonework. I wish I have a smoother surface to work with rather than the jagged rocks I have.
 
#21 ·
The link that Doc provided shows you how to scribe.
You should try doing a sample with some scrap wood --
A small section two to three feet long, just to practice,
It's not as hard as you think... scrounge around for some wood scraps,
and jump in head first; that's the way you learn how to do things.


This is a very simple mantle, ( in my opinion,
I like the simple look, as the stone already makes a huge statement by its self)
Do you want a fancier mantle?

yes, the stone makes it more chalenging, but you can do it...First practice
with scrap wood.

Oh, and thanks Doc. :yes:
 
#27 ·
Scribing isn't that hard but it does take a little time. Here is a video how to scribe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy42CAmVFYE

One thing I do different when cutting the scribe is, angle the saw blade under to cut at a pretty good angle. By cutting the top edge at an angle, if you have to remove a little more it isn't quite as hard to remove the thin angled edge as it would be to remove 3/4 inch of material.

Also the stone being irregular, the thin edge will touch where the heel of the wood may be holding the board away from the stone. (That sounds about as clear as mud) Think the coped edge of ceiling mold.

Here is where a side grinder with two good sanding disks will come in good to grind some of the material away, you will have much more control and ease to do the finish shape.

Hmmm, first time being able to post a video, cool.
 
#29 ·
This is a close up of the angle brackets we used.
(the middle one is not an angle line bracket, and in this photo it
wasn't beefed up with wood yet)
These brackets are very solid, and I believe more solid than a French cleat.
 

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