I want to build a simple one piece mantle, about 7 feet long, on a natural stone fireplace. My choice would be a used beam from maybe a barn, but a box mantle would also work. My proble is how to fit it tightly to the rough surface. Any ideas?
Blair
Replies
Scribe and cut.
Place the mantel parallel to the wall, slid out enough that it's not touching anywhere. Take a set of dividers, find the spot where the wall is the farthest away from the edge of the mantel, set the dividers to that distance, then scribe that distance from the wall along the entire length of the mantel. Then cut.
Simple!
hog it out
It's easiest to hog out the back of the beam a bit. That'll make it a lot easier to scribe. So hog, then scribe.
Blair
Here's the best thread on the subject.
http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/breaktime/construction-techniques/solid-timber-mantle-scribed-stone
Fireplace mantle
Wow! Thanks a lot, Calvin. The fireplace in that project is almost identical to mine. Looks like I have a lot of work hogging out the interior.
Blair
Blair
The guy who did it is just up the road in Ann Arbor. He might be convinced to stop back here if you have any questions.
lemme know.
and, best of luck. A finished picture would be welcomed.