Mario Rodriguez built this simple Colonial mantel for a corner hearth, but the design would look good on most fireplaces. You can use off-the-shelf moldings to build up the profile, but for a more refined look, you can mill your own. The mantel is primed and painted with water-based paint.
For a project plan and step-by-step construction information, see Mario Rodriguez’s book, Building Fireplace Mantels.
These clamps can handle glue-ups between 10 in. and 36 in. wide, and boards up to 3 in. thick. Sliding feet attach to the lower bars with magnets, letting you position them quickly for stability on any surface. The spring-loaded jaws adjust easily, dropping into notches along the bars. And the powerful clamp handles clear the benchtop.
Weight: 9.5 lb. Amps: 8.8 Variable speed: Yes Belt alignment: Excellent Material removal rate: Very good Sanding flatness: Excellent Shaping/scribing: Very good Handling on side: Fair Dust collection with hose: Fair
A digital readout on the AccuMarking gauge measures to the nearest 0.0005 in. It can also be set to fractions or millimeters. Lacking a micro-adjust, however, it took a steady hand to dial in exact dimensions on the sensitive readout. The cutting disk needed considerable work to correct a rounded-over edge, but once sharpened, it cut well.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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