Mantel

[griss]

Hi,

I want to make my own mantelpeice out of oak beams. Basically one oak beam ontop and one down each side. Whats the most secure way of attaching these to the wall? Would it be a case of using rods for the top beam and then an good adhesive for the support (side beams)?

My partner and I are bickering about this. He thinks that to support the top beam you would have to build some sort of brick support up from the floor!! - but I think rods and an adhesive would be fine - dont like the idea/image of bricks.

 

[oilman]

Why make work? You have the two verticals, so rest them on the floor and fix these to the wall with brackets, or drill through and screw and plug the hole in the vertical can be finished with a wood plug. Then put the horizontal on top. Glue is not a bright idea round a fireplace, it comes unstuck.

 

[PowerTool]

I've made a few fire surrounds,and tend to use similar system to oilman - use the uprights to support the top.
e.g. - 4"x2" uprights,broad (4") side to the wall;short,corner pieces at the top - narrow (2") side fastened to upright from the rear (hidden from view)
This gives a stable 6" depth to put up to 8" depth mantelpiece on.
I normally half-lap the uprights into the mantel,and use dowels on the corner supports to firmly locate it.