Header to Beam Look, in Hickory

[John Kendall]

It's taken me awhile to figure out just how to cover this header, but I was able to get some good wide and long pieces of hickory from a local lumber supplier to get the job done. I was trying to get the header to look as if it was one solid piece of lumber that was holding the ceiling up.

http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/header3.jpg
http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/unfinished3.jpg

The span between the walls is 12 feet, which proved to be a challenge in itself.
I started out with 3 - 4/4 hickory boards 14' x 13" and 9" wide. I planed them down to 3/4, then cut the 45 degree angles in each for my joints.

http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/SMbeam3pcs.jpg
http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/SMbeamprefit.jpg

I used biscuits and glue with all the clamps I had to hold it together.

http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/SMBeam1.jpg

I screwed guides on the inside of the beam with the Kreg jig which helped keep the uprights square. They stayed in place until I was ready to put the beam up.

http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/SMbeamotherside.jpg

I drilled holes for the screws with a 3/8" forstner bit and filled the holes using tapered plugs, that I had made, from the same boards. Sanded them flush and applied the sanding sealer and finish.

http://home.woh.rr.com/marlinman/SMbeaminstalled.jpg

I had a little planing to get the top to match the ceiling and walls, but otherwise, it's up and hopefully will stay that way for awhile. ;)

I figure I did it the hard way, but I am still a rookie woodoworker! Also, I welcome any constructive critisizm. I don't want to keep working any harder than what I need to in the future.

Thanks!

[Kyle Kraft]

John,

Looks like you done good!!