DIY Barn Beam Mantel - HOW TO MAKE A BOX BEAM BARN BEAM MANTEL FROM SCRATCH

This is a walkthrough video on how to make a distressed barn beam mantel from standard 1x #2 pine material.
Tools Used:
Wixey Digital Angle Gauge: geni.us/ChvGf (Amazon)
Collins Clamps - geni.us/8q7sU on Amazon (commissions earned) (Amazon)
Broad Axe (left bevel geni.us/lBVyBt (Amazon)
Fiskars X11 Axe - geni.us/BQnVMsq (Amazon)
Makita Wire Brush Wheel - geni.us/FJbBD (Amazon)
Makita Wire Brush Sander - geni.us/ZYFts55 (Amazon)
Torch - geni.us/hrMOqt (Amazon)
My Favorite Tools - Insider Carpentry Amazon Site - www.amazon.com/shop/insider_c...
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[@cuttheknot4781]

I love this young man. He is a class act and carries himself in a manner that is conducive to both endearment and respect. I even preach the importance of posture to my boys, for health reasons as well as how they project themselves to the world (confidence NOT cockiness). Spenser projects both competence and confidence in his speaking and his actions. I really enjoy his exemplary nature...a self-made man.

[@jeffreycoon9634]

You have mastered the art of working alone. Taping all the seams and it folding together all at once was genius. Your last video where you showed how you installed the big section over the fireplace by screwing it to the wall and pushing it up a little at a time was a great idea too. Besides the woodworking ideas that you give us you also show us some great ideas on how to work by yourself. I'm a Introvert and plus you can't find good help these days so your videos are awesome to me.

[@donwilliams3626]

You really make your faux beams snd mantel look authentic. Thanks for sharing.

[@ajizum82]

That was "therapeutic" to watch buddy. One of those projects that's outs you in the peaceful craftsman's zone of tranquility!

[@jesserhodes7430]

always a pleasure to see such a craftsman at work. your one of the greats spencer, raising the bar for all of us.

[@muddywater6856]

Sweet! How about pics after the painter... Stain? Clear?... mounted?

[@shawncote3110]

I have been researching about making beams for a while, finally made a doorway header beam stained in Minwax ebony. I really enjoyed the process, now I don’t have the power tools to make the process go quickly but used hand tools. Thanks for the videos, love learning and doing.

[@joelongrid7625]

Nice axe swing for a trim carpenter. End product looks legit to be sure. Nice work.

[@JohnWilliams-cu4cc]

That looks great. The only thing I do differently is cutting the lengths with my track saw after I tape the long edges together, so that I know that the 3 sides are all the exact length. That helped with aligning the end caps so much. Good job!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Great tip!

[@daveheckman9388]

Another great video Spencer. I love the occasional dog fly-by!

[@BahianoReno]

Excellent show my friend, thank you very much for sharing, keep safe

[@shigthehandyman]

Raw talent this young man!

[@idude1471]

When you first started swinging that axe, I thought ut ohhh too much. I thought it was going to be too rustic, but it’s looks fine. Great work.

[@Maitairanch]

I made my first one for a customer. I used plywood with a maple veneer. Dimensions turned out fantastic. The only problem is I used titebond 1 & made a mess. I have it a good sand & went I went to stain it.. came out very splotchy not only that we’re was perfect line sections that stain differently that was just the way the plywood was made. Still came out nice and the customers were happy. I just blended it with a sander. Any tips on my issues with the wood glue and the plywood

[@davidleard816]

That was beautiful!

[@johnny-jr5iz]

Great and like the music

[@zephyr1408]

Hey Spenser Jim here from Kings Table Custom Finish - I purchased that 12” corded Makita Miter saw I was telling you bout to replace my Bosh 12” Axiel arm. 1st off I had issues with that Bosh from day one and fought it for 5 yrs! Cracked head, exhaust broke, get it cutting right & it would go out within a short time of heavy work. I have a DW 12” fixed with performs like a champ! However I like the Makita platform and that 60 degree miter ! Well it’s here and out of the box I ran some cut test and it was very slightly out on a 4 cut miter test on the right! Other than that it’s dead nuts on! My table rubs slightly when changing to different indents & if u press down slightly when changing it goes away which tells me it was most likely dropped during shipment ? Oh I put a 12 Forest chop master on it and it cuts sweet! I stay far away from thin kerf blades they flex I don’t care what they say! I found under heavy use they flex slightly enough to Irritate a guy! Anyway it seems well built as the Miter Saw game goes & I think you would enjoy one! Anyway I heard you say one time you would like to hv one cause of the 60 degree miter abilities. Oh great video as always I hv u on speed dial for problem solving!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Cool. I would definitely like to try that saw someday.

[@davesch1512]

This is more cut capacity on the makita but it is vary heavy saw and I think it only has a Laser. Not a big fan of that would rather have a light for shadow line

[@davesch1512]

Great video you have the most realistic box beams and mantles

[@zephyr1408]

@@davesch1512 your right Dave it’s heavy & that’s why it’s a shop saw! I would hv gotten the 10” to cart around if it was double duty! I most likely will use my 12” fixed deWalt or get a 7 1/4 “ when prices drop or I start robbing banks?

[@davesch1512]

Hahahaha

[@awesomexistence]

Excellent production on this video. Everything’s self explanatory and the acoustic guitar is a nice presentation as well. Thanks Spencer!

[@matthewpesta3220]

Great video Spencer, you inspire me to elevate my game..🤙🏼😎

[@frd3fadi]

As always great work . I saw the stires post u did and I think u did them the same way ? I was wondering from where can we get something like that . Please make a video on bulding the post . Thank you

[@anthonycaldi7056]

Great work! Do you have any videos of these barn beams being finished with stain? Would love to see the finished product.

[@jayonez137]

Great job. I’m looking to source and old hewn beam for a mantle

[@philwell76]

Very cool

[@kenvanness2828]

What shop table saw do you have? I am looking to replace mine and I am looking for recommendations. Thanks for all the efforts you put into producing content for all of us.

[@quietwarf1019]

I just built one last week. Wasn't rustic hand hewn but pretty much the same. No end grain on your ends though. Lol. Neither did i.

[@russfleetham]

Is there a system you use to price your distressed mantles or faux beams? I've been building a couple and don't really know what to charge other than throw a price out that matches my time and material. What would you charge for a 7x7x5' mantle for example?

[@derekt4459]

Can you link the tape you used for the miter fold. I tried it a few weeks back and didn’t go as smooth because of the tape I was using.

[@Maitairanch]

I’ve attempted to make beams and and mantle. I’m not sure what I’m missing but I can’t seem to get them to be perfectly matched up and aligned. I have a track saw with 110cm makita. They look good but I feel like one side always has to over compensate to make it look seamless.

[@andylopez6786]

One crazy dude !!! But I liked it

[@charlesviner1565]

I Agree 👍

[@shawnroland7374]

And I thought this would be an easy mantle DIY to follow...lol. Incredible work! Subscribed!

[@cndream1]

What do you do about all the nicks in the wood from the pinch dogs ? Or are they not evident or noticeable after finishing.

[@mansardmanor3869]

Probably ads to the character of the beam

[@chadvartanian9125]

More fine work done by you. Not surprising. Question: can you do a vid one of these days on how you lay out and install kitchen cabinets? Not sure if finishers do it by you, or if the cabinet place sends their own people? Here in Wisconsin, as finishers, we handle the cabinets and vanities.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I rarely ever install kitchens. So you probably won't be seeing that content on my channel :(

[@chadvartanian9125]

@@InsiderCarpentry No worries, you always have plenty of other tips and tricks for me to try. Keep up the great work. Thanks!

[@cw73]

Which wire wheel do you use with the Makita wheel sander? I’m guessing 80 grit? Also, is it the nylon brush? Thanks!

[@rockyromero361]

Thanks for the video, love the way you show the details in all of them. I’m not a carpenter just a DIY guy. Is the glue enough to last for 20 years?

[@iJanz24]

oh yeah

[@davesch1512]

A proper glue joint is Stronger then the wood.

[@TheJulius714]

Did you stain or seal?

[@IRAKLICHIKHLADZE]

This is all great and nice but why 45.5 degrees cut on the table saw? Leaving space for glue or no?

[@fedge12]

So the toe stays tight preventing a gap and the heel stays loose for gluing.

[@IRAKLICHIKHLADZE]

@@fedge12 Thank you for the explanation. That is exactly what I thought

[@royalvarez6436]

Work fascinated me-I can sit and watch you for hours-ha ha!! Seriously though great craftsmanship. Random question: have you ever been to the Amish Village of Shipshewana, Indiana. It is one of the largest furniture centers in America. Not sure what Covid restrictions are now but worth the drive when available. Yoder’s Restaurant is amazing.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I've been through there but never spent much time there.

[@Clark-Mills]

Really nice; maybe an array or glued together end-grain pads could be capping either end to enhance the illusion?

[@davesch1512]

That’s what I was wounding too. Hard part is with that normally it’s the Centre of the tree and the growth rings would be in a circle would be hard to mimic that

[@MrSeanmcnerney]

Instead of beltsanding, I wonder how sand blasting might look?

[@thedonhams1]

Would you be willing to provide an estimate for an exact replica of this to build and ship to AZ

[@brianrosen6732]

I recall you used to use a curved blade planer as a first step. Do you not do that anymore?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Not on the mantels. I can get the job done with just an axe.

[@ragetoca]

Looks good - Probably cheaper to buy the real thing (a mantle). I can see these useful for multiple boxes beams

[@danieldurkton2942]

Excellent Spencer, looks great. Question, have you ever made a box beam out of white oak using the procedure in the video? Great video keep them coming. Thanks Daniel

[@InsiderCarpentry]

About five years ago I did some out of white oak. Its much harder to do.

[@danieldurkton2942]

@@InsiderCarpentry were you happy with the results?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I prefer the pine. Much easier to towel with. Lighter. Less expensive by a lot.

[@danieldurkton2942]

Thanks for your input Spencer have a great holiday season!!!!

[@matthewfragola3158]

Hey spencer where did you get your work tables or were they something you made yourself?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Paulk workbench. Make it.

[@markbrown-gy3fz]

So great what you do.watching your videos made me get back into wood working. Guuna try and make my own reclaimed beams.with some luck,I hope they turn out half as good as yours.will send a pic. Thanks again for the great videos!!

[@michaelmignosa4427]

you do great work one suggestion please wear safety glasses

[@ThisTall]

How common is it for high end trim carpenters to fabricate like this? As a cabinet guy we occasionally, but not often get asked to do stuff like this.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

All the time.

[@Pete.Ty1]

😊👍

[@tonyordaz3326]

Do you use MDF Crown molding

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Never. Too much movement.

[@stashoski2675]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍great

[@duartepaintinghandymanservices]

Looks awesome, next time leave the sound of the tools

[@Dan-qn3su]

Big problem when the ends don’t match the rest of it, looks half assed

[@DavidMoncrief]

You could definitely sell these on etsy for $800 a pop. Less than $100 in material I'm sure.

[@dunlaoghaire1000]

Hmm....

[@garethheathcote4988]

I can't be first?

[@markstrow6992]

I'm your huckleberry

[@garethheathcote4988]

I can't be first?