Mantle mounting...

Mantle mounting...  I spent most of this weekend (when I wasn't goofing off) working on mounting our new mantle to the living room wall.  This is a job that would have been (much) easier in a properly-equipped wood shop – but which can still be done in a garage with just hand tools.  I used saw horses and clamps to keep everything in the right place, and then a circular saw, a jig saw, and a drill.  Today I hope to actually start attaching this to the wall...

First of two plywood "plates"

Second "plate"

Installing hanger bolts

Creative clamping

Getting the hangers right

Trial fitting the finished plates

All the hangers are in