Can somebody out there throw out some ideas on how to mount a mantle- my customer doesn’t want countersunk bolt holes plugged in the front, mantle is going to be carved, and we’re worried 3/4″ threaded rod coming through blocking in chase space in back, with expoxy to lock it in, won’t be strong enough to hold heavy mantle- any other ideas?
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Replies
try using a french cleat. attatch wall half with wood screws or whatever you feel is necessary then put a few dabs of construction adhesive on it just before you set on the mantle. its easy,and is permanent
http://www.newwoodworker.com/frenchcleat.html
Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
Thanks for the suggestion- yes, it would be simple and easy- unfortunately, I don't think it would reassure my customer he had a good solid installation. This is a solid wood mantle, weighs around 200lbs., he's going to spend a bunch of money to get it carved, and he wants to make sure it can't ever come loose. Ever is a long time. The original plan was to drill holes for 3/4" threaded rod through 2x10 blocking in between studs of wood chase framing and drill holes in back end of mantle and slide mantle over holes. My customer feels it needs the 5 spaces in between the studs filled with the rod, and when it has come time to actually do the deed, I've suddenly realized unless the rods have some angle they won't hold even with construction adhesive, over time. And to make it work you'd have to wallow out the holes for the rods so big that would weaken the bond. Maybe they will- but now my customer has lost faith in this idea, wants something even more solid sounding as a way to hold it on- any more ideas out there in the ethernet?
What are the dimensions of the mantel?My concern would be that if it looks like a shelf stuck edge on to the wall, it's going to look precarious, no matter how well it is fastened. A thin mantel needs at least a suggestion of brackets or corbels or something under it to look like they're holding it up.
I agree with Dunc. Though floating mantels have their place, for something this big and solid I think it will look better with a visual support. Can the carver include corbels of some kind?