Skeleton Mantel

Just when you thought you were finished decorating your fireplace, another fireplace design comes along. Remember, the ventless fireplace can be put in any room. So if you have a room that doesn’t have a fireplace, get started on this next project...

...The Skeleton Mantel actually looks like a full mantel piece when the doors are closed. But, open them to discover entertainment units, books, logs and anything else that you can imagine. If you’re going to have a mantel, this is the one.

 

Things You’ll Need:
Wood (Various Sizes)
Drill
Dowels
Glue
Hinges
Door Handle
1 – Door Knob (Small, Stylish for Small Door Panels)

 

I always have my wood precut at the local hardware store. If you like to just buy the wood and take it home, by all means incorporate a saw into your plans.  But, I draw up my plans and then head to the local hardware store to get the various sizes that I want.

I find the right thickness and width. Then, I have them cut my wood to length. That way when I get to the home, I’m ready to start putting things together. For this project you’ll need various sizes of wood:

2 – 2’X6’X1/2” (6 feet long)
3 – 2’X6”X1/2” (6 inches wide)
1 – 6’X6”X1/2”
4 – 1’X4’X1/2”
6 – 1’X1’X1/2”
2 Cabinet Doors – 1’X4’
Molding 6” Wide

 

Begin with the top part of the mantel and grab the two 2’X6’X1/2” boards. Drill 3 holes at each end of each board and 3 holes in the center of each board so that there are 9 holes on each board.  Make sure that the holes line perfectly and are in the same spot for both boards.

Grab the three 2’X6”X1/2” boards. Drill 3 holes on both sides along the 2’ length of each of the 3 boards. Make sure that the holes line perfectly with the holes drilled in the 2’X6’X1/2” boards. Pour glue and place a dowel in each hole.

Place one 2’X6’X1/2” board flat with holes facing up and pour glue in each hole. Place a 2’X6”X1/2” board on each end and one in the center where you’ve drilled your holes. Allow to dry.  Place the second 2’X6’X1/2” board flat with holes facing up and pour glue in each hole. Put the first section on top of the board and align so that each 2’X6”X1/2” board fits perfectly in the holes.  Allow to dry.

In the meantime, begin work on the other two sections of this mantel piece.  Each leg will be done exactly the same. Begin by grabbing a 1’X4’X1/2” board and drilling 2 holes along where what will be the bottom of the mantel piece.

Come up a foot and drill two more holes. Come up another foot and drill two more holes. Lay the board flat. Drill holes in another board so that they line up with the holes of the first board you drilled.

Next, grab three 1’X1’X1/2” boards and drill two holes on each of opposite sides. Pour glue in the holes of the 1’X4’X1/2” board lying flat. Place a dowel in each hole. Pour glue in each hole on only one side of the three 1’X1’X1/2” boards.  Place the three 1’X1’X1/2” boards on the 1’X4’X1/2” board lying flat so that the holes line up with the dowels.

Pour glue in the holes facing up on the 1’X1’X1/2” board. Pour glue in the holes of the other 1’X4’X1/2” board and place on top so that the holes are aligned with the dowels. Follow these same exact steps with the two 1’X4’X1/2” boards and the three 1’X1’X1/2” boards you have left.

Bringing the two legs to meet the top mantel piece, drill two holes on the bottom where each of the leg boards will join. Four holes should be drilled at one end and four more holes at the other end. Then, drill two holes on the top of each leg board aligned with the holes on the top mantel piece. Connect with glue and dowels in the same manner as before.

Hinge the cabinet doors on each leg.  Create a sideway cabinet on the top mantel piece using the 6’X6”X1/2” board, the door knob, door handle and hinges.  The last step is to dress with molding under the top mantel piece so that the legs look joined to it masterfully.

These directions may seem overwhelming at first.  But if you draw the plans and then study them, you’ll soon see that these directions aren’t as hard as you first thought. Just remember, you can only go as far as your imagination and creativity. I’m sure you can get pretty far.

 

 

 

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