How to Turn a Reclaimed Beam into a Fireplace Mantel | Ask This Old House

[@martinhamberger7633]

This gentleman needs to stick around for years just like Tommy he should be a staple to the program

[@bobby-c7731]

I really enjoy Nathan Gilbert. I want to see him become the next Tommy!

[@jlui21]

he looks like a younger version, just change the beard for a tommy-moustache and let cure for a couple of decades.

[@ncooty]

@6:08: Always, always measure from the critical/ alignment point. In most cases, including this one, that means measuring from the center out, not from the end.

[@pufthemajicdragon]

Really good to see Nathan back on the show. This makes me excited for the future of TOH. I would have cut the mantel long so it extended wider than the chimney and cut out a groove to make it flush with both the chimney and the wall. Buuut that would've taken more than a day. I also would've used carriage bolts to attach it to the chimney so it could be removed - and antique bolts would've complimented the character of the wood.

[@derekw40]

Antique nuts ?

[@pufthemajicdragon]

@@derekw40 I mean, if you mount the bolts into the wall and then screw the mantle on with the nuts I guess. I was thinking the rounded head of the bolt would be what you left visible.

[@derekw40]

@@pufthemajicdragon oh I see. Thank you for clarifying. 😊

[@TotalBoat]

Perfect use of Thixo epoxy. Thanks, Nathan!

[@arth.4196]

Nathan good work, your a good addon to the show

[@TheMixmastamike1000]

that looks amazing

[@bryansweeney4562]

Some mention of fireplace code would have been helpful. Min of 12" above the firebox opening.

[@toddcriswell796]

Glad you like it too because now you’re not getting that off without serious brick damage. Check out Toms video of securing a rail post to the floor. Same principle but removable.

[@baspluim5925]

They cut off the video too soon, he only half-adzed that log

[@rheffner3]

Hey, that's on of the interns! Good for him!

[@heathdetweilerRealtor]

Gorgeous!

[@suehardie3183]

Just wondering what sort of instant nail Adhesive you use doing the same thing put on wood 🤔

[@jeffwilson1399]

Epoxy on each end?!?!. . How do you remove the mantel if you need to at a later time? . . Sawrzall to cut the rod?

[@phonedave]

That was my thought. Do it like a stair rail, embed the rod in the masonry, and drill the holes in the beam. Then holes with a fostner bit from the bottom so you can secure it with nuts. You can even cut matching bungs from the end you cut off.

[@mattlocke4680]

So whats the plan to remove the mantle when needed?

[@glennriefenstahl3761]

Generation Next is working! Nice job Nathan. RIP Austin.

[@joshuabennett723]

Is it just me or should it have been turned 90°s and had the long side on the top it just looks so wrong to me

[@KundelCrane]

check out our Restorer tool. It is designed specifically for reclaimed wood cleanup without destroying the character!

[@twdietri]

What would the size of hole in the masonry and threaded rod be?

[@footnotedrummer]

Do you need to kiln dry these mantels to "sanitize" them from any pests that may be living in them?

[@justinwoods240]

I'm actually wanting to buy a draw knife i see another of those tools used today besides the two man saw

[@liamarmstrong1836]

Just did my fireplace. New stacked stone and simple mahogany boxed out mantle with an oil finish. Wish I could have found a beam this guy got.

[@derekw40]

I have a couple from an 1800’s barn I used to own.

[@oogrooq]

Which one do you think is the 'top'. Either way, good for them.

[@twsbrl2xlldmoney355]

Rumor has it Nathan is still hueing and Guy is telling him thanks

[@heroknaderi]

Amazing 😉

[@surprisek3918]

How the hell is this mantle mounted??? All I saw was them sliding it onto the threaded rods? Did I miss something???

[@ericmichel3857]

The glue they put in the holes. It's an absurd way to mount because good luck if you need to take it down.

[@quinnreid1209]

At the two person saw and block planning, it got a lil kat-moses

[@wenliu7875]

epoxy on ends, good luck removing it if you change your mind.

[@timskufca8039]

SUGGESTION: this is where an interior designer would have added a little finesse. The beam should have been situated with the surface of the mantel in the wide direction. Then it's calling out for a couple of corbels to act as a structural element. The way it was installed it looks fake - like you used epoxy to glue it in place (even though that's what was done, an old beam like this should at least look authentic).

[@walkmen89]

hoorah seabee!

[@paulkim1011]

Doesnt the mortar bed go horizontal?

[@MrKyleDD]

What was that finish he used?? 'Tongue oil'?

[@LadyUnderhill]

Tung oil. :)

[@WILSON.1]

Great job, but unfortunately Nathan doesn't have the TV presence that the original characters of This Old House had.

[@lunchlady2023]

He doesn’t look like Tom Silva

[@krizm]

these guys seem like a party

[@trekabe9745]

Wheres Tommy and Kevin? Is this like a new one

[@dadylfitzys8880]

No reason to cut the wood. The overhang would have been good.

[@jakeschroeder1553]

The zoomed in, soft focus, slow-mo photography when they cut the beam is not a good look. Is this TOH or a truck commercial?

[@derekw40]

Way to really snub that guy try to show how to cleanup that log.

[@davidlamphier6319]

Four quick cuts with a circular saw and a speed square could have made the sawing process much easier. That two person saw would cost people more to acquire (if they don't already own one) than a corded skil saw.

[@pufthemajicdragon]

But you can tell the look of hand-sawn lumber and that's the whole point. The hand-sawing would've only taken a few minutes and dramatically improves the end result.

[@davidlamphier6319]

Please please please start correcting people when they say "masonary"... It takes more work for people to add the "A" than it does to say "masonry"...

[@smurfman691]

Yes... Such hard work!

[@jeffwilson1399]

Tha twoh lobstah sawr wahs dah rihht toohl fahr dah johb.🦞🦞🦞

[@shanew7361]

To each their own 🤮

[@scottwolverine3062]

soooooooooooo boring!!!!!!!! dude get some enthusiasm!!

[@markhall3323]

I don’t trust Nathan

[@ovidiuciuparu6421]

I can chop that wood with a normal axe! Just put it up vertically and is a lot easier! You never do that close to your legs!

[@dnthasslehoff]

That’s how you use an adze and when the timbers get large enough it’s the only way to do it, can’t stand up a 30’ log and square it with your ax, gotta stand on it and use the adze

[@mitchellb.9877]

Unreal how new producers have thoroughly messed up this show. It’s no longer authentic, entirely too scripted, and no longer entertaining. Like Bob Villa alluded to when he left...you became too Hollywood, TOH. Sad to see.

[@johnlebzelter4208]

Yet you still watch/comment on vids

[@JASONCFFC]

That lisp though.

[@ashtonjhugh]

So what if he has a lisp. It has nothing to do with anything.