Mantel Plans

A well-designed mantel plan will allow you to have an accurate shopping list for the materials that you will need to purchase for your fireplace mantel project and some may feature step by step instructions on constructing your mantel.

Although many talented woodworkers are fully capable of designing their own mantel plans to build the perfect fireplace mantel, there are tons of options out there for getting the mantel plans that can make your project go by more quickly and more efficiently.

Mantel plans are "blueprints" that will show you exactly what pieces must be cut and the measurements of each piece that will make up your fireplace mantel.

Sources for Mantel Plans

Just as there are limitless fireplace mantel designs, there are also an abundant number of places to find the best mantel plans for your project.

Many of you may subscribe to woodworking magazines which are a great source for mantel plans. If you are not a subscriber, most woodworking magazines can be found in the periodicals section of your local library.

The library is also a great source for woodworking books that contain mantel plans, as is the local bookstore, home store, and online book sellers (try eBay and Amazon.com for low, auction prices).

You can also find a big number of online sites that feature great mantel plans that can be printed, oftentimes for free or for a small fee.

Further, there are sites online that will send the complete mantel plan to you via the postal service or U.P.S., so that you have a "hard copy" to refer to while working.

Following a Mantel Plan

The sheer beauty of working with a mantel plan when building your custom designed fireplace mantel is that even the most inexperienced carpenters and woodworkers can create a beautifully functional fireplace mantel - whether you choose a full surround mantel, shelf or cabinet style.

The basic idea behind the mantel plan is to provide a pattern for you to follow to make your work easier and more productive. For this reason, it is important that you follow the mantel plan in an exact fashion for the basic build of the mantel.

Many woodworkers will build the basic structure using a mantel plan and then add extras that are not included in the plan - such as decorative crown molding or other features.

Because you are doing it yourself, you will always have room to make adjustments to the pattern of the mantel plan and individualize your project for your specific tastes or needs.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed