This spalted maple slab, along with a couple of other pieces, was picked by a customer to use for a few projects she had in mind. This slab in particular was chosen to become a mantle in her home.

This spalted maple slab, along with a couple of other pieces, was picked by a customer to use for a few projects she had in mind. This slab in particular was chosen to become a mantle in her home.

After looking over the slab for a while, I decided upon where to make my cuts. I use the tape to layout how the main section of the mantle will look so I can get a good idea of how the grain, etc will look in the finished product.

After looking over the slab for a while, I decided upon where to make my cuts. I use the tape to layout how the main section of the mantle will look so I can get a good idea of how the grain, etc will look in the finished product.

After trimming off the excess from the original slab, this was the piece left over for the mantle.

After trimming off the excess from the original slab, this was the piece left over for the mantle.

The cutoffs from the original slab were used to create a pair of these simple corbels.

The cutoffs from the original slab were used to create a pair of these simple corbels.

After multiple passes with a thin epoxy to fill the many wormholes in the wood, I was able to apply a varnish coat which really brings the colors in the piece to life.

After multiple passes with a thin epoxy to fill the many wormholes in the wood, I was able to apply a varnish coat which really brings the colors in the piece to life.

The finished mantle installed in the client’s home, just in time for Christmas as per her original request.

The finished mantle installed in the client’s home, just in time for Christmas as per her original request.

A closer shot of the finished mantle. I was really happy with the way this project turned out. It fit the room perfectly and the colors in the wood were absolutely fantastic.

A closer shot of the finished mantle. I was really happy with the way this project turned out. It fit the room perfectly and the colors in the wood were absolutely fantastic.

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This spalted maple slab, along with a couple of other pieces, was picked by a customer to use for a few projects she had in mind. This slab in particular was chosen to become a mantle in her home.
After looking over the slab for a while, I decided upon where to make my cuts. I use the tape to layout how the main section of the mantle will look so I can get a good idea of how the grain, etc will look in the finished product.
After trimming off the excess from the original slab, this was the piece left over for the mantle.
The cutoffs from the original slab were used to create a pair of these simple corbels.
After multiple passes with a thin epoxy to fill the many wormholes in the wood, I was able to apply a varnish coat which really brings the colors in the piece to life.
The finished mantle installed in the client’s home, just in time for Christmas as per her original request.
A closer shot of the finished mantle. I was really happy with the way this project turned out. It fit the room perfectly and the colors in the wood were absolutely fantastic.