A stone fireplace evokes a rustic and natural feeling that is enhanced by rustic fireplace mantels. A hand-carved beam complements the style of a stone fireplace. Traditional woodworking tools and a reclaimed wood beam are all that is required to create a mantelpiece that will be a center of attention and conversation. Place the recovered beam on a work surface.
Slicing thin wood chips along the beam with an adze to create a hand-carved appearance until the desired effect is achieved. Cut the beam 12 inches longer than the stone fireplace with a miter saw. Cut two blocks 6 inches long from the remaining section of the beam. These are the supports or brackets, for the mantel king rustic mantels. Drill two 1/4 inch holes through the center of the 12-inch width brackets. Space the holes 1 inch from each end of the 6-inch length of the brackets. Place the brackets on the bottom 12-inch width of the mantel beam.
Place an 18-inch bracket on each end. Drive a car bolt through each of the holes in the brackets on the bottom of the rustic fireplace shelves beam. Sand the beam with a progression, of course, medium and fine grain sandpaper. Apply a wood finish to the mantel and supports. Allow the finish to dry before installation.