building a pine mantel

sandsawmill14 · March 12, 2016, 11:28:48 PM

ok i have to build a mantle for my mil all of the trim and beams in the house are pine with walnut stain. i have logs that have been down about 6 months how long will it take to dry a 5" by 9" syp slab ??? it will be 3 1/2-4" thick when finished but i thought i would saw it heavy so i would have plenty to be able to plane it square and straight. does this sound like a good idea ??? is there another wood that would match the color and grain pattern close enough to keep from having to set the pitch as i dont really know how high the temp would have to be since it is above a fireplace it will get a lot hotter than normal trim or other indoor projects normally would ???
i love projects like this :

and they pay so good

this one will pay 1 christmas dinner if i can get it done in time ;D :D :D :D

bkaimwood · March 18, 2016, 08:00:52 PM

When is "done in time", most importantly? You said how long to dry, but I don't know if we are air drying, kiln drying, or hopefully both? Overseeing to trim later is a great idea...I have no experience with syp, none here..but I sawed some spruce beams early last summer, and resawed them last week...I couldn't believe how dry they were, all air dried...I'd guess 12-14%...and 1 10x10, I'd guess late teens, not so bad... I suspect syp dry time is similar?

sandsawmill14 · March 18, 2016, 08:08:02 PM

want to have it finished by christmas

the biggest thing im wondering about is setting the pitch in the pine i have no idea how high the temp would have to be to keep it from running out after it get hot over the fire place ???