The challenge was quite simple, to make a timber fire surround that was different to the stuff available in shops and preferably using re-cycled materials. Game on!
An early win was the offer of some spare oak planking that was originally intended to be used by the owner of an old wooden boat to repair the structure to its hull as part of a major restoration. So, in exchange for a rather nice Pinot Grigio and a flavoursome Malbec I became the owner of a 8 foot long plank of rough sawn seasoned oak.
First off, it was cut in half length ways, the part with the live edge was to be the shelf, the other half was cut in half width ways to make the uprights. I love working with oak, it has a lovely smell, my humble table saw enjoyed the experience less well!
The part forming the mantle shelf was sanded rather than planned to maintain its more natural look while the uprights went through the thicknesser. Everything was finished of with a seal and then plenty of bees wax.