Red Oak Mantel 2005

So this is what started it all. This is my first real project that I undertook. It was full of adventures. We built the fireplace ourselves inside and out. I burnt up my craftsman 10” miter saw when I just started the mantel (had to be ready for Christmas). Went out and bought a Dewalt 12” Miter Saw. Shot a brad into the tip of my finger after it hit a hard spot in some wood and curved. All in all, this is the project I am most proud of to date. It was the first thing I built that people would see when you walked into my new house. Plus it made me want to build more things.

-- Jared, Northern IL