After installing this mantel, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to add some support under the top shelf (it’s at perfect elbow leaning height and there wasn’t much to attach to behind the wall).
Just to pinpoint the advice provided; I can’t move the shelf or really change anything on the surround – I can just add something corbel-ish.
Any thoughts on style and means to fasten it?
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Replies
Countersink some screws and plug 'em. Sand the plugs smooth, then match the finish on the rest of the mantle.
Is that painted or a really dark stain?
--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.net
See some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
It's really dark stained cherry. She wanted it to match her other furniture.
I guess I should have mentioned that going to this customer is a pain. She's great, but she lives downtown Chicago, right in the loop, and I'm out in the burbs. I would like to avoid going there more than one more time.
I worried that if I do any kind of woodworking in the house, I'll have to make at least one, maybe more, return trips to finish the finish.
I was thinking about some kind of metal support with a wood facade that would just goes over the top to hide it.
thanks
Have you considered some sort of decorative wrought iron support?
Might look REALLY nice.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
wrought iron support?
That's a great idea, got any online sources?
Unfortunately no.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
Try http://www.kingmetals.com
800-542-2379
They have a boatload of stuff in wrought iron, steel and aluminum. You might find something there that could be used as corbels.
Heres a couple more:http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/sc.13/category.136/.fhttp://www.imperialdesign.on.ca/ELEMENTS/ALL-CORBELS/corbel-mix.htm
Thanks for the links.
Good wrought iron products are hard to find
Why not just make some cherry corbels and stain to match, then go install them?
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Where would you put them? Do I put them right in the middle of the end columns? Or do I move them in more to the center board somewhere?
Looking at the design, I couldn't see puting them anywhere but atop the columns. There is a small piece that looks like it might get in the way if set the corbel in the inset. If it spans the whole column, or at least wider than the inset, then you'll have to deal with the gap below the corbel due to the inset.
I know what you mean about downtown. I'm on the north side, just a 10 minute drive. But parking is a beach! Last summer I turned down a job at State and Division because they couldn't provide parking. I can't imagine why anyone wants to live there.--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Speaking of parking, I was actually lucky on this project. She let me pull into her space on the first floor and she parked on the street somewhere. But I still don't want to go back more than one more time.
She's at State and Huron, right in the thick of it.
Edited 3/27/2008 9:48 pm by JMadson
In my younger daze I worked for a company that did a lot of work in that area. I would pack my tools in a back pack and take the train. Of course, I didn't have a table saw or miter saw or tile saw or ladders or... you get the idea.
I would think you could fabricate the corbels, prefinished and all, and install them in a single shot. If you fasten them with finish nails you could fill the nail holes with color wax sticks. Buff em with a dry rag and they're almost invisible, especially on that dark a finish.
Seems finish nails should be plenty strong enough, unless they plan on dancing on it or something. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Ted, nice work, nice site.
Thanks 45 =)--------------------------------------------------------
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I may be a bit late on this but I would consider adding another top to the mantle. Slightly larger with the same routered edge.
The existing top could be glued, screwed, cut open or whatever it took to strengthen it and then the new top would cover the damage.
Made slightly deeper than needed it could be scribed to fit the wall if there are gaps."Perfect is the enemy of Good." Morrison
Wow, is this discussion still going on? =D
Just curious if you've implemented a solution yet and, if so, what you finally did. Wouldn't mind seeing a pic of the end result if possible.--------------------------------------------------------
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I'm not the OP
Man, I hate it when I don't know what these things mean. What is OP?--------------------------------------------------------
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Original Poster....
the one that started the thread....
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!!!
Sorry, I musta forgot to use the drop-down list.
Later! =)--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
no problem....
I just happen to have the answer to yur question handy....
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!!!
Good Morning Ted
Took me a while and some help to get what I know.
Origonal Poster.
There is probably a legend somewhere but I never looked.
I was one of the guys providing suggetions on how to secure the mantel.
All of mine are on Wood framing and secured tight.
I'd go right in the center relief of those side pillasters
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I like the design. if you were to countersink some screws at an angle on top of the shelf I'm sure it would suffice, then plug the holes
It's too bad that what I would call a 2x2 at the top of each column couldn't be extended--even extend the one below and put a 2x2 vertically between them.
I could put in a fake rail below the real one on top. This could be a new landing spot for the bottom of the corbel.
Yeah, that would probably work--I was thinking of something like a capital letter "I" (side view) with the top part sticking out a little more than the bottom--very simple and linear to go with what you already have.
I think you are over complicating it.
Take some dark putty, some touch up sticks, etc, find the studs and run trim screws on angle from top of mantle into studs. 2 are likely plenty. Countersunk and puttied and once she puts her chotzkies on the mantle, your putty spots are gone for ever.
We have done hundreds and hundreds of mantels this way over the years. (truth be told, the installers usually used a 12D trim nail and dropped it into the stud)
Metal studs behind the walls, thought they would hold but it still leans a bunch.
And if there is a method to fasten to the metal studs, it's too late without some major rework. I found three studs and and screwed 2x2's into the studs along with some drywall fasteners. They seemed strong, but when I (permanently) attached the mantel, it acts like a lever and is pulling the drywall off of the studs.
Easiest solution would be corbels, but can't envision how they would look.
I'm with Jeff, maybe you're ALL overcomplicating it. What about a narrow rail ON TOP on the mantle, kind of like a low backsplash ?
Greg
Hmm
Someone else suggested a small trim above the mantel.
Can you remove the mantel, open up the wall and get blocking behind the studs.
If you cut the hole where the mantel will hide it, you can get some decent blocking in there and perhaps get it back together cleanly.
I have had situations where we fastened to metal studs without problems but your mantel sounds like it weighs a ton.
(Trim screws work well on steel studs as you probably already know)
Your cross block isnt getting in way of mantel, is it??
good luck
Update...
I finally finished my mantel and the adjoining bookcase - see pix. (sorry the quality of the pic for the corbel aint great)
I also added a pic of the cd case in the bottom right cab.
That looks great!
I like the contrast.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
How did you finish it?
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Thanks
Alcohol based dye.
And wipe-on poly with a little bit of color in the poly to even things out.
The finish didn't turn out great, but I like the design. And more importantly, the customer loves it.
Alcohol based dye.
An alcohol based dye, is that something you make yourself?
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Yep, it's a dye from Homesteadfinishing.com plus denatured alcohol. Dries fast and the color is usually less likely to blotch.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
The style has a Japanese look, bold and subtle at the same time. Adding the bookcase augmenation to the original repair was a good idea. The customer must be very pleased.
The mantle and bookcase complement each other, nice work!
"Perfect is the enemy of Good." Morrison
I washed it out a bit cause I couldnt see the details.
View Image
Nice job, the two pieces look very good together.
Doug
Edited 6/11/2008 6:59 am ET by DougU
Nice work indeedy! If I run into any woodwork jobs that don't fit my schedule, I'll send them your way. (with your approval, of course.)--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
That would be great, thanks Ted
Nice stuff man.....both pieces work well together.
But is that a ghost staring back at me inside the fireplace?
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I noticed that too, it looks like Jim Morrison with his arms crossed.
Man, I had to go back and take a look at that. Yep, It's Morisons ghost alright.
But tell me, what do you see in the painting?--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com