[Blake Lunsford]

I am interested in carving a mantle and was wondering if anyone had a suggestion as to a good kind of wood to use. I am also trying to find a supply of wood that could be used for mantles as I haven't found much of a supply of wood here in Virginia to carve.

Any suggestions??

Blake

[decoycarve]

What are you looking for? I have some 3" thick Mahogany about 14 " wide over the shop. I am up to Groff and Groff lumber In Pa about once a month and I could look for something that may interest you.
Goody

[fishcarver2004]

Blake, I use alder for most of my doors&
mantels. The cost is about $2.00 a board foot, it is very nice too work with,
you can stain it or leave it natural, it has a really nice grain to it. Walnut & mahogany would be awesome too work with too.
Goody, I would be interested in some of that mahogany what would the price be
for it? what kink of mohogany is it ?
Stacey

[Doug Ridley]

Try a slab of Eastern White Pine It carves nice with hand or power tools. Here is a part of mine.

[Blake Lunsford]

Hey Goody, Mahogany, alder, White Pine....any of that would be great. I'm unsure what would be best for a mantle. All I have used so far is basswood. I'm like fishcarver...what would the price be? I'm looking to make a piece about 6" tall by 10" deep about 6-8 feet long. I've never carved a mantle, so I hope I am heading in the right direction.

I love Doug's carving and would like to try something like that. Doug, do you have any suggestions on how I should get started??

Blake

[Doug Ridley]

I can't help much thru this medium as I am very slow at typing and there would be way too much instruction for me to handle.Look up mantles or carving mantles on Google and you might find some help. Sorry. If you want to come up here to Paducah I will give you all the help I can.

[AlArchie]

Blake, I haven't carved or made a mantel (yet) but will probably be thinking about it soon, as Karen is thinking of adding on to the house.

Here's where I'm heading......to the fireplace outlet to see how they handle attaching and supporting their mantles. also will be able to get some ideas of sizes and different shapes.

If you are in Virginia, why don't you head into the hinterlands and find a small mill operator. We have a lot around here, and they will cut you just about anything you want. Usually pretty reasonable, too. I did make some heavy mantel sized shelves for the local Scout camp from 4" thick by 10" wide white cedar and that stuff worked really well.

Al

[fishcarver2004]

hi,Blake here are some super books
to get you started.
wildlife carving in relief
landscapes in relief both by (Lora S. Irish)
Step by step relief by (David Bennett)
If you can find a tape called relief in a different light by (David Bennett) is a super step by step carving tape.
Also Lora's web site is
www.carvingpatterns.com you will
find more patterns the you will ever use
in a life time, there are some mantel patterns and instructions as well. As far as wood goes you have to look around to see what you can, my mantels start
at 21/4" thick some times 2 1/2" by about 12" to 14" wide depending on what i can find. then i have the box built to make it look like its as deep as it is needed. Too try and find a piece
thicker then 3" and dry is really hard to find and the thicker its the HEAVER it
is and very hard to work with and to hang on a wall.
Stacey

[fishcarver2004]

Here are few pis that might help you see what i'm talking about as far as a box looks like
Stacey

[Blake Lunsford]

That's perfect! I always thought that a solid piece of wood would work best, but I'm sure this method will work better. Thanks for your information and pictures. I will let you know how it progresses!

Thanks!
Blake