shelf holders for a mantle

>
> I'll start w/ a question -- where did this come from and was it dry to
> start? =A0If it came from a recently felled tree owing to a storm, it'll
> likely split very badly and warp exceedingly when brought into the house.=
..


it's been dried for several years, without the ends being waxed. Lots
of splits on the ends, but the center appears to be pretty solid.

>
> There's a pretty neat style done in a relatively recent Fine
> Homebuilding issue I believe rather than FWW...
>
> I've done similar; I generally make a corbel of some style suitable for
> the general decor of the target. =A0One technique I've use to hang
> successfully that's really quite easy is to route in the rear a channel
> for 1/8 or 3/16" x 1" strap iron and screw it to them and then use small
> lag at the top to hang it from. =A0These should find a stud or have
> suitable mounting provided, of course. =A0Then a small matching decorativ=
e
> piece to cover the angle on the top.
>
this may not be doable for me - I don't know where the studs are

> More work but a flush top surface can be done by fitting a corner block
> that is removable to get to the upper lag bolt. =A0Proper grain selection
> and fitting and it's almost invisible.
>
> Another way is the bed hanger-style w/ the piece that would normally be
> on the bedpost on the wall and the other in the hanger. =A0Could do the
> same simply making one's own hook/eye arrangement.
>

thnx for the idea, i might go that way


shelly

thx
shelly

[email protected] wrote:
> Hi All,
> I recently had a friend give me 2 large pieces of oak; one of them is
> 64" x 24' x 3", and the other is 64'" x 28" x 3". The request is for a
> mantlepiece. The wood has some cracks in it, and it was a pain to
> find a piece suitable. The mantle will be 8" wide. Even cutting wood
> that big is a challenge, but I got it done. Originally, I was going to
> use a French cleat to mount the mantle to the wall, but I'm concerned
> about it hanging together. Therefore, I plan to use shelf brackets
> made from the same wood - I'll cut it down to 2".
>
> The question is this: What is the best direction for the grain to run
> in the bracket? Up and down, or horizontally?
>
> thanks in advance
> shelly

I'll start w/ a question -- where did this come from and was it dry to
start? If it came from a recently felled tree owing to a storm, it'll
likely split very badly and warp exceedingly when brought into the house...

There's a pretty neat style done in a relatively recent Fine
Homebuilding issue I believe rather than FWW...

I've done similar; I generally make a corbel of some style suitable for
the general decor of the target. One technique I've use to hang
successfully that's really quite easy is to route in the rear a channel
for 1/8 or 3/16" x 1" strap iron and screw it to them and then use small
lag at the top to hang it from. These should find a stud or have
suitable mounting provided, of course. Then a small matching decorative
piece to cover the angle on the top.

More work but a flush top surface can be done by fitting a corner block
that is removable to get to the upper lag bolt. Proper grain selection
and fitting and it's almost invisible.

Another way is the bed hanger-style w/ the piece that would normally be
on the bedpost on the wall and the other in the hanger. Could do the
same simply making one's own hook/eye arrangement.

As for grain, I generally run it horizontal on these; they're big enough
there's no question of strength being an issue on the ones I do, anyway.

--

If you have enough material, run the braces diagonally.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DanG
Keep the whole world singing . . .


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:3f3735f7-c99a-4740-9835-5f81f2e0bf94@d37g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
> Hi All,
> I recently had a friend give me 2 large pieces of oak; one of
> them is
> 64" x 24' x 3", and the other is 64'" x 28" x 3". The request is
> for a
> mantlepiece. The wood has some cracks in it, and it was a pain
> to
> find a piece suitable. The mantle will be 8" wide. Even cutting
> wood
> that big is a challenge, but I got it done. Originally, I was
> going to
> use a French cleat to mount the mantle to the wall, but I'm
> concerned
> about it hanging together. Therefore, I plan to use shelf
> brackets
> made from the same wood - I'll cut it down to 2".
>
> The question is this: What is the best direction for the grain
> to run
> in the bracket? Up and down, or horizontally?
>
> thanks in advance
> shelly

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:3f3735f7-c99a-4740-9835-5f81f2e0bf94@d37g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
> Hi All,
> I recently had a friend give me 2 large pieces of oak; one of them is
> 64" x 24' x 3", and the other is 64'" x 28" x 3". The request is for a
> mantlepiece. The wood has some cracks in it, and it was a pain to
> find a piece suitable. The mantle will be 8" wide. Even cutting wood
> that big is a challenge, but I got it done. Originally, I was going to
> use a French cleat to mount the mantle to the wall, but I'm concerned
> about it hanging together. Therefore, I plan to use shelf brackets
> made from the same wood - I'll cut it down to 2".
>
> The question is this: What is the best direction for the grain to run
> in the bracket? Up and down, or horizontally?

>
If I have understood correctly the answer is that the grain in the brackets
should run vertically. Then the bracket will shrink with the mantle shelf
and not separate and the bracket will not shrink so that the shelf above it
drops.

Tim W