Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Aug 19, 2006 05:26pm | #1

   Tapcons are special masonry fasteners. They are available in a flat head screw. You just drill through your piece into a motar joint, with a provided carbide drill bit, and drive the screw. They can be treated like any other screw, hidden under molding or countersunk and plugged.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 20, 2006 08:38pm | #4

   Tapcons ARE wonderful fasteners! That said.. I once put very heavy slab up just drilling some holes and using 1" hardwood dowels. Been up there fer' about 40 years as I recall...

2. 
   outyonder | Aug 19, 2006 07:27pm | #2

   If it's a box out mantle you can install 2x4' ledger board to the brick using tap con's and construction adhesive, then glue and finish nail your mantel to the ledger board.

3. 
   CraigC | Aug 20, 2006 04:16pm | #3

   Another way, if you're going for a clean cantilever look, is to install it 1/2" steel bar. Hot-rolled bar is fine, though a little softer than cold-rolled. Depending on the width and depth of your mantel, you install 2-4 pieces of 'x' length in your mantel with a bit the same size as your steel; drill holes in your masonry oversize (3/4 - 1"), set your mantel in place using two-part expoxy, keeping it level in both directions until your epoxy sets. You can always later remove the mantel by pulling it off the steel bars. Use your judgement for size and quantity of bars. For a mantel 2" thick, 10" deep, 5' long, I would use four 1/2" bars, set 4" into the mantel and 6" into the masonry. The oversize masonry holes are forgiving if you didn't drill the mantel holes exactly perpendicular.

   I've installed shelves from a nominal 1" thickness to steps of 3" thickness into brick and concrete with great success. Unfilled concrete block would be another matter unless you hit the web. Good luck.

4. 
   miller | Aug 21, 2006 05:48am | #5

   Tapcons are the way I prefer.  I use a 54 board ripped lengthwise at a 45-degree angle I attach half to the wall with Tapcon screws, and the other half recessed into the back of the mantel. The one attached to the wall makes a hook with the 45 at the top slopping towards the wall.  The board on the mantel has the 45 on the bottom that will rest between the wall and the hook formed by the other board.  I hope this is making sense,  Its hard to describe without drawings.  As far as the surroundings I use Tapcons counter sunk and plugged.  Most boxes of Tapcons come with a masonry bit.  It will drill easy with a hammer drill.  Be careful  not to twist off the screw.  That can be a big mess.