| Project by Iheartwood | posted 274 days ago | 395 views | 5 times favorited | 8 comments |  |
 |
Well, here’s my mantle. I tried to focus mainly on the woodworking aspect of it here but did include one picture to give an idea of how this project started. I built the mantle in place using 3/4” mdf. I anchored 2×4 cleats vertically along both sides and horizontally along the top to fasten the mdf to. After the main structure was finished I ripped a 2×6 into 1/4” strips and nailed them in the pattern shown. For the strip that matched the curved opening I used a 1×2 made of mdf, ripped it down to 1/4” thick, made a series of relief cuts every two inches and bent it to match the existing curve. Then I filled the kerfs in with Bondo. I sprayed it with oil based primer and then with latex paint. It’s been in my living room for 2 years now and every now and then I still look at it and take satisfaction in knowing I made it.
-- Steve, Portland, OR
8 comments so far
douginaz
home | projects | blog
171 posts in 898 days
posted 273 days ago
Welcome to LJ’s. Nice job on the mantle. Your design? I made one a few years ago with a friend but we used the pattern from The New Yankee Workshop. Lots of mitres and small pieces. Looks like you have it figured out.
Thanks for sharing.
Later,
Doug in Az.
-- If you need craft books - please visit our small business at http://www.wittywife.com
Todd Thomas
home | projects | blog
4831 posts in 344 days
posted 273 days ago
looks real nice…very good job…well done
-- Todd, Oak Ridge, TN, Hello my name is Todd and I'm a Toolholic, I bought my last tool 10 days, no 4 days, oh heck I bought a tool on the way here! †
CharlieM1958
home | projects | blog
7654 posts in 1114 days
posted 273 days ago
Wow…what a great improvement over the outdated original!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Woodchuck1957
home | projects | blog
950 posts in 660 days
posted 273 days ago
Very nice job, I really like it.
Dick, & Barb Cain
home | projects | blog
7037 posts in 1195 days
posted 273 days ago
It looks like a million dollars!
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Iheartwood
home | projects | blog
3 posts in 275 days
posted 273 days ago
Thanks for the positive comments everyone. Doug, this isn’t my design. I saw a picture of it online and made my own to look the same. I did have to make some adjustments to accomodate my hearth. That was both challenging and fun.
-- Steve, Portland, OR
mrtrim
home | projects | blog
1698 posts in 776 days
posted 273 days ago
very nice job on the mantle steve !
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
16910 posts in 473 days
posted 243 days ago
Hey Steve Welcome to LJs . Very nice job on your fireplace surround and pretty creative how you achieved the arch. One caution when using 2×4s for a project like your fire place surround you should use kiln dried wood or you might have problems with the wood twisting , striking etc.
Jim
Fellow Oregonian
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon