Custom Fireplace Mantel: Walnut & Epoxy Resin with Waterfall Edges

Custom Fireplace Mantel: Walnut & Epoxy Resin with Waterfall Edges

I had a couple of non-turning commissions I was working on before the holidays, and this custom fireplace mantle is one of them. The clients wanted a custom mantle made from black walnut with epoxy resin incorporated somehow. I decided to use the idea of a resin river and construct the mantle so that the sides would wraparound from the front in a waterfall edge.

The mantle was constructed as a open-back box style and build to slide over an existing wood beam secured (somehow!) inside the fireplace surround. I used groove and rabbet joinery to secure the top and bottom to the front and sides and added internal reinforcement at the corners, along with a thick walnut brace between the top and bottom at the ends, secured with walnut dowels.

The clients originally asked for a gloss finish and I ended up using a resin top coat as the final finish. After I installed it, we all agreed that we would like it better with a matte finish so I took it back to the shop, took all the resin off with a flattening jig I made for my plunge router (Gah! What a mess!) and then sanded it for ages to get the remaining resin out of the wood pores so the new finish would absorb and cure properly. It was a giant pain but well worth it in the end - we’re all happy with it now, and I really like the effect of an oil/beeswax drying finish on the resin. One of the clients is an artist and interior designer and is redesigning the fireplace around the mantle 😊

Ways you can help support me and keep videos coming:

Subscribe, Like, Comment, Share 😊

Contribute via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/Lisa...

Become a Patron:
https://patreon.com/lisaramlow

Contribute supplies from my wish list:
https://amzn.to/2PA7vz6

Видео Custom Fireplace Mantel: Walnut & Epoxy Resin with Waterfall Edges канала Lisa Ramlow