How to secure a large beam to the wall?
 

Well, we found a timber for our mantle for $100 vs $950 the place downtown had. Mrs Rocket says its heart pine vs oak, but I can live with that to save $850.

Now the question is how to mount it. It's 8"x8" and I need to go through a 1/2" of drywall and 3/4" of ship lap to secure it.

I bought some 1/4 x 10" lag screws I was thinking of countersinking in at an angle from the top and maybe bottom.

There will be very little weight on it but it does weigh quite a bit itself.

So, any other ideas to install it and cover the holes?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1467675886.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1467675939.jpg

If I do the arithmetic you'll only have 1" of lag screw go into the stud. I don't think that will hold against the rotation downward force. Are you planning any knid of other support underneath the mantle?

I was looking at bathroom grab bars and saw these WINGITS | Products
'Rated up to 600 lbs. in drywall and tile'
...umm...maybe.

That will need more than those dinky 1/4" screws. Go 1/2" or more at least.
And a lot more penetration into studs if possible.
Or invisible hangers from behind.
Hollow it out to drop weight.

Plug holes flush and brush paint it grey to match.

Drill from the bottom at a 45 degree angle, and a couple from the top, same thing.

Put you bowling trophy over the hole.

Or do it like a headboard. Rout a 45 degree angle into the beam, then hang from a corresponding board attached to the wall.

Or three 3/8" lag bolts with the heads cut off. Drill the mantle to suit and slide the beam onto the bolts, put some construction adhesive on the back.

Why not install it like a floating shelf so you don't have to mess up the face of the beam?

You won't really need the anchors shown here since you're going into the studs, but this is the general idea... I'd recommend 1/2" or "3/8" X 12-14" lag screws, cut to about a 7" exposure after you get them in:

How to Install a Floating Mantel | how-tos | DIY

No reason to show fasteners, I would blind mount with a Cleat, like this:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1467677516.jpg

Or use Pipe Flanges and pipe nipples lag bolted to the wall, 3 or 4 like this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1467677896.jpg

And drill/recess the back of mantle to fit.

Return those lags...
mount a cleat on the wall, route out a pocket on the back of that beam, and hang the beam on the cleat..


crappy 20 second sketch...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1467678159.gif

When using a mantle like that to cap or embed in a stone veneer, I have bolted flat steel to the back, cut a little longer than the mantle is tall. Then screw the steel to the wall above and below the mantle, stone/grout hides all.

This. Take your time, find the studs. 8 screws with 2 inches of depth into the studs will hold quite a bit.

Great ideas gents. Thanks!

Google french cleat...

Remove one or two pieces of ship lap above the mantle piece, carve away the drywall over the studs to receive the flat stock so it is flush, drill pilot holes in the studs and in the back of the mantle. Lag bolt flat stock to the mantle. Raise the mantle. Bolt flat stock to studs. Replace ship lap.

Rabbet out a 3" x 3" x 4' from the bottom backside of mantle. Lag a 3" x 3" x 4' onto wall catching 3 studs. Mount 8x8 onto 3x3 and lag up through the 3x3 into 8x8.

I'm trying to figure out a way to encorporate fiegallon buckets into this project.

Use stainless steel cable to float the beam in mid air, suspended.

+1. For bonus points, cut the edges of the slot in the beam and the upper and lower edges of the cleat at an angle, to allow gravity to help hold it in place tight against the wall. I'd install the cleat up against the studs, after removing the drywall and other materials that cover the studs. Glue and screw the cleat to each stud you find. You can also sink a couple small screws or nails from the top surface of the beam into the cleat to further secure it. The wider the cleat and the deeper the pocket, the better.

JR