How to build a modern fireplace mantel.

[@andi.popescu]

Your humor makes every video so much fun.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks man! I really appreciate that 🙌

[@hazembata]

Man, the tile guy made it look so easy. Looks great.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

He sure did! Years of experience

[@rickkinney1249]

14 months....been there done that.......more important is that it got finished thanx rick

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

You can't rush these things, am I right? 😜😂

[@JamesDeese]

An elegant piece that looks a lot simpler than it is. Good woodworking skills are applied to this material. Thanks for the mini-tiling lesson.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much, James! Glad the tiling lesson was useful...I know it was quick, but I only have so much time in the video. LOL.

[@geofferycarpenter1066]

Man, SUCH a satisfying reno to watch!! The whole wall looks amazing!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks dude! I appreciate it 🙌🏻

[@holdemNE1]

Your videos are always so enjoyable to watch. Thanks for posting.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Mike! Always appreciate the kind words 👊🏻

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

Excellent work, Keith! I learned a ton of great morsels

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Bahahaha...I see what you did there!

[@tylerwing6852]

Awesome build! I’ve been woodworking since I was a little kid but really got into it about 2 years ago. I have to say, I have learned a lot from watching your videos along with Jason and Nicks as well. I’ve applied a lot of the techniques I have seen you 3 use into some of my own projects. I love your podcast as well!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

That is awesome! Thanks Tyler. We greatly appreciate the support!

[@tylerwing6852]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking I did hear you mention that you lived in NH at one time in one of the podcasts. That’s where I’m located!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@tylerwing6852 oh cool! Yeah, I moved there when I was 10 and left when I went to college.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@tylerwing6852 yes sir! Small world!

[@donaldsmith2242]

Those irons are also used in the RC Airplane world to shrink the monokote that goes on the plane wings. I think they are called either heat sealing irons, or covering ions.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Great to know! I need to pick up another one. Thanks Donald! 👍🏻

[@zephyr1408]

Flat crown is all the rage now ! In Gautama? No kidding here !

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Definitely a more modern look 😎

[@ScottWalshWoodworking]

i remember this! Turned out pretty snazzy

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Scott! Much appreciated man 👊

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome job Keith! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Hey thanks Fred!!

[@NWGR]

Beautiful job Keith!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks very much!

[@chriscraft6139]

Thanks for the inspiration KJ. Looks amazing.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Glad you like it! Thanks Chris!

[@bobbywweaver]

"answer the burning question" lol. Nice one.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😜😂

[@versus023]

Very nice looking mantel!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ibryansukada9607]

Welcome to Bali. Love it.😀

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😁😎

[@JKAW]

Great work Keith, can't wait for your next video (which was shot in 2007)

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 damn you! (You’re not far off, though)

[@stevefuller7805]

Looks great! Got a kick out of the messups. My wife said it sounded a lot like me working on my projects.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 i think it’s a pretty common theme with most builders

[@mathiashosang571]

Hey Keith, wieder einmal ein sehr cooles Projekt und ein schönes Video! Ich mag sehr dass deine und auch Jason´s Videos diese Laufzeit, etwa 30min oder mehr, haben. Kind Regards...✌

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻👍🏻😎

[@jackkazee4629]

Don't feel bad, KJ. I am surrounded by projects that I started between a few months ago, and over a year ago. But mine don't turn out as nice as yours. Beautiful job!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 I guess we all have a long list of started and unfinished projects… Some more than others 😂

[@joshevenson7604]

Looks great my dude! Always enjoy your videos!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I appreciate it! Thanks Josh! 🙌

[@danieldurkton2942]

Beautiful ! Love your videos. Very informative and entertaining.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks man! Glad you like them 👍🏻🙌🏻

[@wadewassenberg76]

Instead of stone on each side to fill the gaps near the floor, I think I would have cut a couple pieces of mdf and made "feet" that would be painted the same color as the mantle and let that be a decorative piece.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Good idea! I can dig it 👍🏻

[@dougbrown7150]

If anyone needs a small iron for edge banding, dent steaming.... check craft suppliers. Quilters use them for ironing sermon blocks

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks for the info, Doug!

[@andersonolive4553]

Looks amazing Keith! I laughed out loud a couple time during this one. Always enjoy your videos

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Ha! Thanks Anderson! Glad to hear I could throw a couple chuckles your way 😂👊

[@IAmSmilingRightNow]

For the outlet covers, I'd either paint them using the same wall color, or move the mirror about 10cm lower to cover them up, but we both know the first option's easier. 😄

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

They are going to be moved up 😉👍🏻

[@Grumpy_Guy]

BTW: You can get irons like that from RC Airplane shops as they're used for aircraft covering. Hope that helps someone!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Oh good to know! Thanks Mark 👍🏻

[@thebrelon]

Was about to say that....

[@5280Woodworking]

Well done! I love watching your videos and I always get great ideas. I was happy you left in some mistakes for the rest of us woodworking mortals. I think the mantle was at least 30% steel though with all those screws lol.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 you might be right…definitely wouldn’t pass the metal detector test

[@Earl3]

Either you released the video a day earlier than you anticipated, or July comes early up there in Jersey! 😛 The mantle looks gorgeous! The tile also looks great! Y'all did a great job all around!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Ha! yep, accidentally published a day early 😂

[@davidboese5159]

Don’t feel bad about not getting a particular job, delay… my particular project, that I’m finishing now, I bought the material for this job, in 2004! Get er done. To be fair, I had some health issues .

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Whoa! LOL. At the very least, I hope you're feeling better!

[@davidmeyer9204]

Keith. As always I learned something(s) from you. Great video, Great build and Great teaching. I am going to have to look into the cost and availabilty of that MDF. Thanks for sharing.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks a lot, Dave! It's definitely not easy to find, so hopefully you can track some down!

[@kentostlund6311]

Hej sett alla dina videos alltid roligt och underhållande. Hälsningar från Kent i Sverige 😁

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

🙏🏻👍🏻😎

[@gerardgreenan907]

First person to add a comment, love your work my friend

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Much appreciated! Thanks man!

[@hierkonnteihrewerbungstehe3758]

Hello from germany! I bought such an iron in the model shop. This is normaly used to iron stretch film on model airplanes…

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks so much for the info! 👍🏻

[@krisbabic89]

Great video! Thank you

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Kris! 🙌🏻

[@shawnlocke8471]

Hello Keith. Really like the design and would like to mimic it for our fireplace. Do you by chance of the dimensions?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Hey Shawn. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago and I don't recall the measurements. Sorry.

[@scottmorris4914]

I would have either notched the HDF to fit around the title. Or I would have made a tile that fit under the mantel all the ay out to the front of the main tile piece.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

Hola! 🖐 This looks really, really good. 14 months or not, I'm sure you are very satisfied at the final product. By the way I don't see your two shop hands wearing PPP, you may want to have a Safety Meeting with them soon and correct that before you get a visit from OSHA haha! 😆😂🤣 Take care and have a good one, Adios! 👊

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

haha. Thank you sir! I appreciate the comment!

[@PierreHernandez86]

Perhaps stupid question but I'll risk myself there... Why to put edge banding to paint it afterwards?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

You’ll never get a smooth surface painting the edge of raw plywood

[@PierreHernandez86]

Raw definitely but after some wood filler?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@PierreHernandez86 nah. Too much work

[@angiegomez1473]

This is amazing! Thanks for the video! Do you happen to have plans for this mantle? I am a beginner but would love to try this one out; always have wanted a mantel with the angles of this one but not sure how to achieve it so perfectly.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Angie! Sorry, no plans for this. I just whipped up a prototype and modified it from there.

[@sampantiliano]

Hey Keith, I live in Jersey as well ( Bergen County) who do you buy your hardwoods from?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Oh cool! Check out Middle Valley Lumber in Hampton, NJ. You will have to contact him (Travis) through his Facebook page as he is by appointment only. He is a sole proprietor and mills and dries all his lumber. Super high quality material.

[@Looyenss]

I like it

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks!

[@scottchristensen324]

Great video! Love your channel. Keep up the good work. I know you are a Festool user and I am looking to add add a new sander (ETS EC 150 ( 6 in) sander. Do you recommend the 3 MM stroke or 5 MM stroke for woodworking? I currently have the cheaper Festool ETS 125 which is on a 2 MM stroke.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I use the 5mm predominately 👍🏻

[@william3954]

I love seeing all the mistakes…scratch that..learning opportunities in the video.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Ha! Thanks for the feedback, William! 👍🏻

[@lesgrimpeurs7685]

Nice video. Is there any chance you can share where you bought the mantel you are replacing at the very beggining of the video (2sec) thanks a lot

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

It came with the house

[@lesgrimpeurs7685]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Ioh.... OK thanks

[@brodavis25]

As an avid listener, Patreon, …and NASCAR driver according to Jason’s shout out, I know you are particular about when mid-roll ads happen. Surely it was unintentional, but KZbin did a mid-roll inside your mid-roll. An inception of ads…. I’m pretty sure I get a decorative skull with my new insurance policy 🤔 right?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Oh geez Louise!! Thanks for letting me know!! I’ll fix that straight away. Dang mid-rolls…😂

[@Fred_Free]

And the white corners under the mirror? Why should they be visible?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

To make you ask questions

[@Fred_Free]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Okay, then I know. There could have been a practical reason for it. When designing objects and environments, it's all about active choices. Keep up the good work 👍.

[@RickSahlman]

I live in Morristown area...where do you get the combi-core HDF

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Atlantic Plywood or Robert’s Plywood on LI

[@matthyland1218]

Correction: Lloyd is crazy

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂 i guess he WAS in the nuthouse…

[@johnelaschat2462]

Loyd braun!!!!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

LOL. You never could compete with LLOYD BRAUN!!!

[@konstantinsviridov5355]

Доброго времени суток Вы всё делаете отлично смотрю давно ваши ролики перенимаю опыт учусь Но с английским языком не очень хорошо Если вас не затруднит включите пожалуйста субтитры Спасибо большое удачи и успехов во всём

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

English is my primary language. 🇺🇸

[@andresilva8444]

Is Jerry the bigger one or is it Lola? (you see, I ask all the important questions)

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Jerry is the heavyweight 😹

[@hale_yeah_texas]

I’m not currently speaking to miters. I just finished a large console for a customer that was 2 1/2” thick ash mitered all the way around and it just kept getting shorter and shorter after every miter I recut 😂

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 they can be a real detriment to mental health

[@raulc398]

What's up with the receptacles showing?,couldn't you lower the mirror ?and get a wider hearth, don't add little pieces under the fireplace legs,that's absurd! specially after 14 months!,come on man!! Cheers from Toronto Canada!!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks.

[@elisavivian3833]

ᴘʀᴏᴍᴏsᴍ

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

🙏🏻👍🏻

[@dougthomson5544]

“The wife”, brother Johnson? Chuckle, it seems to this old guy that that statement is indicative of the problems you had building this mantle.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Perhaps…😂

[@carllamb6711]

Great job. Turned out Real Nass Like… shame you could see the two white sockets at the bottom of the mirror tho 👍🪚

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Carl! Those will be moved up and out of the way!

[@sunnydays1238]

Second person! Hi Keith

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Hello! Thanks very much! 🙌

[@matthewwasserman7709]

I'm in your neck of the woods. Where do you get your plywood? I'm not happy with the last few places I've gone to

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Many places...LOL...Roberts Plywood on Long Island, Mendham Plywood, Atlantic Plywood, ML Condon in White Plains, Boards and Beams (if I'm desperate)

[@matthewwasserman7709]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking I'm going to check them all out!! Thanks for the reply dude!

[@planespeaking]

having recently made a shelf support using a dowel jig, I will be saving for a domino but need a track saw first and despite using Bosch the track saw will be Festool too.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Right on! I've had a track saw for 16 years and have been loving it since Day 1!

[@martinmoss317]

Thank for showing the F*ckups and how you dealt with them. It helps the rest of us non whiskey drinking non transitioned caterpillars.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 you bet Martin! Happy to help out a fellow non whiskey drinker 👊🏻

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, Keith... The fireplace looks amazing! 😃 Really well done!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you! Will do! You too!! 👊

[@scorpionbuilds]

14 months? That seems about right at my house too lol 😆. My wife said I'm not allowed to start any new projects, until I finish up some of the old one. But in all seriousness I like the design you came up with, Good job.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

That’s probably a smart rule to implement! 😂 Thanks for the kind words! 👍🏻

[@GageDrums]

Keith must be time traveling saying tomorrow is July on a video he uploaded June 29th!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Hit “publish” a little too early 😂

[@Coolride1000]

Looks Great. You could paint the cable connection and outlet to match the wall. It would hide them a little better. Until you relocate them.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks! This video is 2 1/2 years old, so everything has been fixed

[@marcodhaene]

Really nice fireplace. Subtle but stylish, but... Personally I would've preferred more contrast between the tiles and the wood. But that's just minor. All in all it looks really nice 👌🏻

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Marco! More contrast would look nice, too! 👍🏻

[@boogiewoogiebubbleboy2877]

Great job, as always, and Benny & Jerry's cameos were great too. Can you take criticism because although this video was a long, long time after completing the new mantle, I can't let this go without saying something. As nice as it is, the mirror is way too high. You are 6'2" tall, and your wife is shorter, correct? It's too high for you, so how do you expect her to look and adjust her hair? use a stool or step up? Also, you do realise you can see the white surrounds of your coaxial boxes. I hope you saw the error and fixed it?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

We have other mirrors.

[@antonyapudo8954]

Thought your friend Bourbon was the funniest capenter until I bumped into your videos. Anyway thanks to him he introduced u. Good Job, great humor.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

High praise!! Thanks Antony! I greatly appreciate it 👍🏻

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Good to see you “Wild Man”. Do I still hear that soft flannel baffel? 👍🏻 Love the videos!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Nah, no flannel in the summer 😂

[@waguchan2414]

I built a similar mantel this year. I like tiling as much as woodworking. I wasn't sure what to call it so I called it a 3-sided picture frame mantel. Someone told me it is called a waterfall mantel. I was happy to when you called it a 3-sided picture frame.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂 yeah, I guess you can call it whatever you want and no one can dispute it!

[@7MrElement]

"A little tall, a little heavy and a little awkward" . The mantel or yourself? Ha!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

both. 😂

[@tomim7187]

Keith, looks great. DId a similar mantel years ago using MDO which provided to be a hard lesson on it's limitations. Will have to look into that MDF overlay stuff. Looks promising. Thanks for sharing!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Tom! I'm curious what issue you ran into with the MDO...I've used that in the past as well and found it superior to the HDF because of the thicker plywood core and the resin paper layer vs. the MDF.

[@andredionne7769]

beau travaille

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

🙏👍🙌

[@Azurko]

Looks great, I would paint the outlet covers the same color as the wall just so they're less noticeable. The other option would be to slightly lower the mirror.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Painting them is a great idea, but i'll still see them...LOL. It will just be a little weekend project to move them up and patch the drywall. 😜

[@saldonato]

Came out great 👍🏼🤠👍🏼

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks buddy!!

[@mjmjmj8683]

What happened to the camera???!!!🥴🥴🥴

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Huh?

[@joseantoniovongho2766]

Nice one Keith sorry for late comment 😬🙏

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

🙏🏻👍🏻😎

[@gerardgreenan907]

Nice work Keith

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Gerard!

[@slimdout]

"Ruler square thingy"? Heathen 😂 I love those Paolini pocket squares, easily my favorite layout tools

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂🤣 not my favorite…not enough reference surface 😉

[@slimdout]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking to each our own 🤷‍♂️ I love them for scribing and marking tight spots 👌

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@slimdout Absolutely! We all have our favorites! 👍🏻

[@scottmorris4914]

For the wall plates, you can buy a gray blank for over the coax connector. And a gray plate and outlet to replace the outlet. Or you can paint the plates and outlet.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I’m going to move them up. 👍🏻

[@scottmorris4914]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Is that over the next 11 months. LOL

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@scottmorris4914 maybe…

[@JorgeAguilar714]

Been looking for ideas for a new Mantel. I think I just found it. Will send a picture when I finish mine in 14 months. (Mainly because I have to redo my stairs and master bedroom first) Great video as always.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😂 Ha! I think stairs and MBR are more important, but feel free to finish quicker than me.😜

[@JorgeAguilar714]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Shared the video with the boss, she has prioritized the Mantel. Little does she know, now I get to justify a new miter saw. My hands are tied, nothing I can do if she wants the mantel. Am I right ?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@JorgeAguilar714 Yeah, I think you gotta pull the trigger...you have no choice. LOL.

[@kbram7363]

Wow again sir.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thank you very much!

[@sampantiliano]

So the outlet’s?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Moving them up! 👍🏻

[@jeffforbes3772]

Looks great Keith!

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Thanks Jeff!! I appreciate the kind words 👊

[@gregmize01]

Good to see the kids again!😺

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

They're baaaaack!! 😹

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

Hey Keith, what kind of shoes are those? They look crazy comfortable.

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

Ha! They are ridiculously comfortable. Here is the link: a.co/d/7uhUkIG

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Awesome! My size too. 😂 I'll be ordering a pair tout suit! I was actually referring to the ones you were wearing at 9:25. What are those?

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

@@HyperactiveNeuron Merrell

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking Awesome! Thank you. I'm definitely getting a pair of the moccasin style ones. My feet definitely need those.

[@rogeriogama6120]

😘🐈🐈😘

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

😹👍😎

[@davordoit]

Does your wife know how much your workshop costs? You could develop a business with that workshop and make money with it instead of making small home projects with a $50,000 workshop

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I do just fine. MYOB.

[@davordoit]

@@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking the problem is that you are a poser and do just fine I know I won't watch you again