Put Up a Shelf

[rosy posy]

Hi, I want to put up a chunky shelf as a mantlepice. I have the piece of wood, it is quite heavy, how do I attach it to the wall? If possible I would like to do this without the fixings being seen, as far as is possible.
Many thanks for any suggestions.

[jake-the-peg]

I would probably use rawlbolts like this:

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/Product.asp ?iProductID=12526

you drill holes in your wall and inserth the bolt - then do up the nut with a spanner - this causes the anchors to expand and grip the inside of the hole.

I you put three or four in you'll be left with screw threaded bolts projecting from the wall. If you drill holes in your cunky piece of wood for them you will then be able push the wood over the projecting bolts.

[gasman]

Good advice there from jake-the-peg but may i also recommend that you squirt some silicone sealant in to the holes prior to pushing the timber onto them to help secure it to the protruding bolts thus eliminating tha chance of it working itself loose over a period of time .. AND REMEMBER this is very yes very important !!! that that under the building regs you must not install combustiable material within 650mm above the burner of a gas fire not from the top of the appliance but from the burner.