YEEHAW, Had the tools out !!! Fireplace Mod

[kanyonkitty]

Yep, Power Tools were in use circular saw, drill, jig saw and quite a few hand tools. I was converting the bottom of the entertainment center into a place for our electric fire place/heater.

First, Gary removed the two factory cabinet doors, and the center post. Then I had to take some measurements and sit back for a while so I could devise a plan in my head. Didn't want to bug Gary for any help, it's gonna be a "girlie mod" . Gotta love those 18 volt batteries.

Went to , yep, a trip to LOWES . Purchased some oak 1 x 4 so that I could create a new frame around the fireplace. I also had to build a support to attach to the back of the fireplace at the bottom so that it would sit level.
I had to build the new frame as the factory opening was larger that the fireplace. Here are some pics (I hope) :
Removed the door

Doors & center piece removed, fireplace just set in place so I could plan an attack:

OK, I needed to build something to support the back of the fireplace so it would sit level and not stress the front framework. By the way using power tools & doing my mods is a heck of a lot easier than using photobucket. Boy, I miss the ease of Webshots. The support had to be fastened on the bottom of the fireplace along the rear of the metal box. Here is what I built out of basically scrap Sunny wood:

The support got fastened to the rear of the bottom of the fireplace, here is a pic of the support attached and the side pieces that I had to add so I will be able to install it.
I also had to make a panel for the bottom front of the fireplace. Basically I had to frame in 2 sides, the bottom and build a rear support, but I got it done.

Here is a better shot of the new front frame I had to make and the rear support.



Test fitting the new frame:


Test fit looks pretty good:


Looks pretty darn good, if I say so myself.


I just have to drill some counter-sunk holes (Never done those before) in the side boards, insert the screws to hold fireplace frame in place and then install the little round wood thingies that will hide the screws. And install one piece of quarter-round along the top of the frame so there is no gap.

And there you have it, another one of my girlie power tool projects.

Plus the electric heater in the fireplace is great to keep the chill at bay when your camping with electric hookups

Kitty

[Tweety]

Awesome job!!! So glad you're feeling up to projects

[DianeScraps]

Looks totally awesome!!

[Trailblazer]

Nice Job!!! I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

[Gene]

Fantastic job, well done

[Poppy & Nana]

Very nice and I bet cozy too!

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Most professional looking.

[apackoftwo]

WOW! Looks great! Good for you!

[kanyonkitty]

Fireplace all finished. I got the recessed screw holes drilled, counter-sunk the screws and then put the wood dowel plugs into the holes to hide the screws. I used the same oak stain on the piece of 1/4 round that I installed along the top of the fireplace, BUT for some reason it looks a lot lighter in the picture. So now the fireplace is firmly attached to the original cabinet.


Next was cutting a hole in the side of the cabinet for air circulation. So, a bit of measuring & marking, drilling and then the razor knife to cut a hole in the exterior & interior cabinet paneling. Gary cut the inside hole, I did the outside one.


Now, heres a pic of the vent, and you can also see the side of the new frame I had to create so I could mount the fireplace. All in all, I am quite pleased with the results.


Also, today I temporarily attached the clear plexiglass to the walls around the stove. I have a nice little project planned for this area, BUT, I need to wait until I find out "if" the school board is going to let me draw from the sick leave "bank", as I have used up all of my sick days and that means NO PAYCHECK !!!! Hope to know the answer tomorrow (crossed fingers).


Kitty

[Sunline Fan]

Looks good!

[clueless campers]

Nice work, Kitty! Glad to see you're feeling better and your energy level is returning. I think Gary's "deal of the day" fits/looks better in that cabinet than the tall/narrow one in the second picture you were originally going to install.

I hope the school board has good news for you today.

[Gene]

The finished project really looks good. If I saw that without reading the posts I would think it was factory built by a master craftsmen (craftswomen).

Even a fire extinguisher in case that fire gets out of control.

[JohnB]

Kitty, Good to see you mod'ing again. The rush of 18 volts in action....

It came out really nice. Good for you!

Hope your camp out goes well.

John