So i bought this 6x6 by 6 feet long pine barn beam for a mantel over my fireplace. I wanted to use some french cleats i bought. But, The ledgestone i need to attach them to is just too uneven and the cleat is not supported very well on the stone side.
I am thinking of putting the cleat on some type of plate. I am concerned about the thickness of the plate, because i want to keep the mantel as flush as possible to the ledgestone. Yes, i have read that some people have routed or chiseled out the mantel to achieve this.
So what should i get for a plate. I would need to be about 4 feet long. Should i get a piece of flat steel or should i get a piece of or or maple . I was thinking 2inch width and half inch thickness.
If i went with with wood could i wood screw the cleat to it or bolt it.
the mantel weighs about 33 lbs.
thx
I am thinking of putting the cleat on some type of plate. I am concerned about the thickness of the plate, because i want to keep the mantel as flush as possible to the ledgestone. Yes, i have read that some people have routed or chiseled out the mantel to achieve this.
So what should i get for a plate. I would need to be about 4 feet long. Should i get a piece of flat steel or should i get a piece of or or maple . I was thinking 2inch width and half inch thickness.
If i went with with wood could i wood screw the cleat to it or bolt it.
the mantel weighs about 33 lbs.
thx