The idea for this mantel was to look as though a timber had been rough-hewn with an adze (swung between the legs), mounted on its corbels, and set within a natural stone fireplace surround. The advantage of building with smaller pieces is a reduction in the overall weight and simplified wall mounting.

The front piece (1½” thick) was left solid while every subsequent piece had its center removed. Face gluing these boards created a hollow box. With a couple of scrap middles, I made a cleat with a few sticking out.

Having never needed an adze before, I looked into the purchase of one. Checking with some tool suppliers yielded uncomfortable results. The only available were a mail-order’s distance away and in the cost realm of several hundred dollars. This project began on an A.S.A.P. note, as the stone mason was already on site waiting to build around the pre-hung mantel.

Way back when, with scarce money for tools, hand tools seemed only obvious. I had purchased an inshave years before (for sculpting chair seats) which has been unused for ages. I modified its shape, strapped it to a handle and tested it out. The crude device functioned beautifully, just chipping away to create that effect. The end grain proved problematic for this contraption. However, a gently sweeping gouge (3/20) made short work of that.

Next, stained and top coat applied. It was delivered, hung and ready for the masonry surround in one week from the first mention of the project.