Replies

1. 
   danmart | Nov 23, 2007 02:21am | #1

   Does he want this one you have in the photo? Do you have to remove this old one? You need to estimate the wood dimensions to estimate the materials. Labor: remove/replace.

   Do you have the shaper/router table-bits to flute and cut rabbets?

   Get a firm sense of how they want the piece fixed to the brick.

   Do samples of the wood finish they want.

   More information needed.

   dan

1. 
   dlb | Nov 23, 2007 06:26am | #3

   Thanks for the reply.

   Does he want this one you have in the photo?  -Yes but the customer will paint it.

   Do you have to remove this old one?  -The customer removed the old one.

   You need to estimate the wood dimensions to estimate the materials. Labor: remove/replace. -I guesstimated it would take approximately 3 days to make. BUT, that is why I make this posting - to see if anyone has had experience at something like this and could tell me if I am correct.

   Do you have the shaper/router table-bits to flute and cut rabbets? -I have a funtional shop w/ what I need to do the job.

   Get a firm sense of how they want the piece fixed to the brick. -I guess that I will use some type of screw

   Thanks,

   dlb

   .

    

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

1. 
   DustinT | Nov 23, 2007 07:15am | #4

   I think your labor estimate is quite reasonable, I have done a few in new homes where it took me less than two day's labor to mill, assemble, and install.  Nothing elaborate, quite similar to the details of your picture.

   Dustin

2. 
   danmart | Nov 23, 2007 07:30am | #5

   If you can get 3 days of shop rate hours to make the mantle out of poplar/pine to be painted -- I'd jump on it.  I believe you can mill and assemble that piece in one day. Shop assemble, carry on the site. Install and done no more than 3 days at best. Take it

3. 
   Senomozi | Nov 24, 2007 01:22am | #6

   Hello dlb,

   Unless the customer specified he wanted you to use "real" wood I would seriously consider MDF since it is going to be painted and also because you can likely get the crown molding from your local home center.  That molding is by far the most ornate piece to mill so getting one already made would save you the most time in my opinion.

   Have you had a look at Rodriguez' article about mantles?  You might find it useful.  http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/FWNPDF/011184068.pdf .

   Hope this helps,

   Senomozi 

2. 
   RW | Nov 23, 2007 03:55am | #2

   I cant tell you how to price it but if it is, in fact, going directly to the brick, keep a couple of things in mind. Minimum spacing from the box, which varies with each style of FP but sans any product literature, 8" sides and 12" top. And consider projections. I've seen crown that got darn hot and the finish bubbled b/c the mantle was too tight to the box.

   Attaching to brick, I'd do what I could to keep the fasteners hidden. If theres any way to use a screw somewhere that can get covered by site applied mouldings, thats one of the first I'd look at. I drill a hole into the brick, insert a wood plug with some 2 part epoxy, trim it flush or slightly below, and screw into that. And it won't take many just to hold it up there.

   Real trucks dont have sparkplugs