Prepare Mantle for Mounting

What happens here

Carefully measure and mark the exact positions of the protruding lag screw dowels onto the back surface of your wooden mantle. Precision is critical in this step. Using a cordless drill fitted with an appropriate size drill bit (such as a paddle bit, auger bit, or Forstner bit) that matches the diameter of the lag screw shanks, drill holes into the back of the mantle. Ensure the holes are drilled straight and deep enough to fully accommodate the length of the protruding dowels, allowing the mantle to sit flush against the wall. Take your time to ensure the hole layout perfectly matches the lag screw layout.

Goal: Drill precisely matching holes into the back of the wooden mantle piece, ensuring they align perfectly with the installed lag screw dowels.