Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Mar 31, 2006 07:31am | #1

   nice detail... clean lines...

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   andybuildz | Mar 31, 2006 01:27pm | #2

   you're hired.
   Nice job!

   If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!

   TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]

3. 
   jackstraw | Mar 31, 2006 02:37pm | #3

   Nice job , everybody loves making mantles, They are a finish carpenters dream job.

   Your design or did you go by a picture ?? I usally tell client find a picture or magazine and I'll replicate. No confusion as to design issues that way.

    

4. 
   JDRHI | Mar 31, 2006 04:00pm | #4

   Nice stuff Squash.

   Simple elegance.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

5. 
   Piffin | Mar 31, 2006 04:15pm | #5

   well done

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

6. 
   cawfy | Mar 31, 2006 08:19pm | #6

   Very nice,looks like it's always been there.

   george c.

7. 
   DougU | Mar 31, 2006 08:22pm | #7

   Nice work!

   Your proportions are dead on, thats what I always notice first, good job.

   Doug

1. 
   jeffysan | Mar 31, 2006 08:24pm | #8

   Super job! jeffysan

1. 
   johnharkins | Mar 31, 2006 09:20pm | #9

   very nice Squashjustice would be you imbibing in a favorite drink w/ the homeowner
   ( some w/ shoes off, cigar & crackling fire )

2. 
   DougU | Mar 31, 2006 09:45pm | #10

   Thanks, but I didnt do it. :)

   I see your new so maybe you dont know it  but if you want a particular person to get the message you need to respond to that persons post.

   I'm sure the original poster will see it but for further references, you may actually want some one to see something specific, if they didnt get the message they may never see it.

   Doug

1. 
   Squash | Apr 07, 2006 02:19am | #11

   Thanks guys.  I really, really appreciate the complements.  The design was partly guided by a picture from a cooking book that the homeowner gave me to work from.  That worked for a general idea, but .  I scaled the photo and played with the proportions on paper for a bit until it looked just right.  The molding profiles on the entablature are all pulled from the living room's crown detail and scaled down.  Total build time including the installation was about 16 very paced hours.  Looks like it is original to the house and the homeowners are thrilled.  Once again, thank-you.  Lately it feels like it's time to sit down and seriously think about switching the career to finish carpentry... we'll see.

1. 
   TGuide | Apr 07, 2006 02:36am | #12

   Hello Squash,

   I'm just a bench warmer here at breaktime.  The mantel looks fantastic.  I only wish that I had talent like that.  If I may, I would like to ask a couple of questions.

    

   (1)  What type of wood did you use to make the mantel (i.e. oak, pine, poplar)?

   (2) The paint job looks top notch.  If you did, how did you do it.  Sprayer or brush.

   You should be very proud of yourself.  Thanks for sharing the pictures.

   - T -

2. 
   Squash | Apr 07, 2006 04:57am | #13

   Thanks T. 

   I used select eastern white pine as with most of my other paint-grade work.  I prefer poplar but I can get really good quality EWP wholesale from a local mill.  As far as the paint job, can't take credit for it.  Homeowner took care of the finishing and she did do an excellent job.  I know the feeling about being a benchwarmer, I'm just getting the courage to get my arse up and on the playing field now and then.

   Nick.

3. 
   WNYguy | Apr 07, 2006 03:28pm | #14

   Squash, I just wanted to join in with a compliment.   Looks great.  Perfect mitres! Also, thanks for sharing the total time for the job ... I'm just getting into this professionally, and I'm trying to get a sense of what's appropriate, time-wise.  The jump from working at DIY-pace to paid-by-the-hour pace has been challenging.

   You should definitely be doing finish carpentry full-time!

   Allen

4. 
   jeffysan | Apr 07, 2006 03:33pm | #15

   The oroportions look just right! Any way you could post em? Jeffysan

8. 
   BobS | Apr 07, 2006 04:00pm | #16

   Squash - it looks fantastic! Is it all solid wood? Did you use a torsion box or plywood for any of it? Very skillfully done and well thought out.

   Please do post any other info, proportions, etc.