diy-wooden-mantle
aimg_3960
aimg_3964

A quick and easy DIY tutorial for a wooden mantle piece to upgrade your corner mantle.

Difficulty moderate

Tools

Kreg Tools

Other Tools

  • Miter Saw
    Miter Saw
  • Table Saw
    Table Saw
  • Drill (cordless)
    Drill (cordless)
  • Sander
    Sander
  • Sawhorse
    Sawhorse

Materials

Wood Products

  • 3 Board , 1x8 , Varies by mantel
  • 1 Board , 2x8 , 24"

Hardware & Supplies

  • 30 1 1/4" Kreg Pocket Hole screws

Cut List & Parts

  • 1 BOTTOM , 3/4" x 6" x "X"
  • 1 TOP , 3/4" x "Y" x "X"
  • 1 FRONT , 3/4" x 6" x "X"
  • 3 Mounting Blocks , 1.5" x 6" x 4.5"

Directions

  • Measure Mantel

    Measure the face where your mantel will be installed against or note the length of your desired mantel “X” in attached plans (under "Extras" tab).

  • Measure Corner Angles

    This mantel is designed to be installed in a corner, measure the angle of each corner where the mantel with butt up against the wall these will be your “A” and “B” angles.

  • Cut Front Board

    Cut your “FRONT” board to “X” length with the mitre saw and 6" width with your table saw. Cut your “A” and “B” angles on the ends of the board (see drawings/photos for clarification).

  • Cut Top and Bottom Boards

    Cut your “TOP” board. If you are tying into an existing mantel, dimension “Y” will take into account your existing overhang. Our mantel had a 4” overhang already.

    For example: 6” (length of “BOTTOM” board) minus 4” (length of existing overhang) equals 2”, which was our “Y” dimension.

    If you don’t have any overhang to tie into, your “Y” dimension on your “TOP” board will be the same width as the “BOTTOM” board (which is 6”).

  • Drill Pocket Holes

    Using your Kreg Jig® R3 drill your pocket holes as noted on the drawings. Set your depth on the Jig to 3/4".
    *Note holes can be added or removed depending on the length of your mantel*

  • Cut Mounting Blocks

    Cut three 2x8" blocks that you will use to mount your mantel. See plans for placement.

    *Note mounting blocks can be added or removed depending on the length of your mantel*

  • Attach Mounting Blocks

    Use Kreg Jig to drill holes to allow blocks to mount to the wall.

  • Drill Holes

    Drill 3 holes into the "BOTTOM" board (to align with your mounting blocks) with a 1/8” diameter drill bit.

    Counter sink 1/4" deep with a 3/8” diameter Forstner bit. These holes will allow you to attach the mantel to the 2x4" blocks mounted on the wall.

  • Assemble Mantel

    Assemble "TOP", "BOTTOM", and "FRONT" boards using the previously drilled pockets (step 5). Use wood glue on all adjacent edges.

  • Finishing

    Putty and sand mantle as needed. Stain using the colour of your choice and apply varnish once stain is dry.

  • Install Mantel

    Install your mantel onto your mounting blocks. Kreg pocket joints can be used on the top surface and plugged with Kreg plugs (type as required to match your existing surface).

  • Finished

    Enjoy your completed wood mantel.