Craftsman Mantel

So, thanks to Schroeder, I’m back. It’s the first major woodworking project since the accident. I can honestly say that turning the table saw back on was an exercise in willpower. Anyhoo, I think it looks pretty good. It’s my own design (basically an inverted version of Schroeder's). The finish is Danish oil – Red Mahogany. It gives it a nice, rich, look with just a hint of red. The wood is quartersawn white oak that I had earmarked for the night stands (the project I was working on during the accident). I’ll get back to that after I knock out some smaller projects and get my courage back up. I hung it with a french cleat so it’s easy to take off the wall. I think I’m done in the living room for a while. Next stop, Kim’s frame for the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival to hang over the piano. I’m going to use Dan's design since it’s the right proportions for an 18” x 24” poster. BTW, I also painted the stuff above the mantel too.

Sorry to gross anyone out, but I posted a pic of my missing and scarred digits to incentivize everyone to use their splitters. I just finished my third, and hopefully last, surgery last week to release the index finger’s tendon from scar tissue.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails