Blacklead Grate
Let's take a look at building your very own Blacklead Grate, very expensive to purchase in the model shops but inexpensive to build.
Scrap wood
I took two offcuts of softwood (all scrap-wood) 40mm square and 95mm high. Two more, one 20mm thick and the other 15mm by 95mm long, the only scrap pieces I had for the centre section.
Next I glued them all together as shown in the photo opposite
Scrap wood
I took two offcuts of softwood (all scrap-wood) 40mm square and 95mm high. Two more, one 20mm thick and the other 15mm by 95mm long, the only scrap pieces I had for the centre section.
Next I glued them all together as shown in the photo opposite
Draw the look you want
I drew rectangle shapes as shown in the picture opposite of how I wanted my fire place to look. Remember these represent oven doors
I drew rectangle shapes as shown in the picture opposite of how I wanted my fire place to look. Remember these represent oven doors
Fixing the doors
Next I cut to fit then glued all the rectangles that I had now made out of 6mm MDF onto the places that I had drawn in pencil.
Taking two blocks of wood 30mm high face x 30mm and 33mm across the face and 33mm deep.
Cut a piece of scrap 6mm x 1.¾" and glue in-between ovens at rear.
Next I cut to fit then glued all the rectangles that I had now made out of 6mm MDF onto the places that I had drawn in pencil.
Taking two blocks of wood 30mm high face x 30mm and 33mm across the face and 33mm deep.
Cut a piece of scrap 6mm x 1.¾" and glue in-between ovens at rear.
Create the Bars
Divide the inside face in to equal distances and drill holes to take the toothpicks as shown in the photo.
Divide the inside face in to equal distances and drill holes to take the toothpicks as shown in the photo.
Paint it all
Paint the whole of the fire black adding whatever additions you wish.
Paint the whole of the fire black adding whatever additions you wish.
Dressing it up
This look was achieved by adding afew things, such as kettle, frying pan, a couple of brass holders.
The biggest difference was made by gluing the rapper from chocolate gold coin holders from Starbucks, cut into strips and made to look like hinges. Add to this 6 brass handles 55pence per pair from your local stockist.
Next add some off cuts of scrap wood and to imitate logs on the fire....there you go you have saved yourself approx £60 - £70.
This look was achieved by adding afew things, such as kettle, frying pan, a couple of brass holders.
The biggest difference was made by gluing the rapper from chocolate gold coin holders from Starbucks, cut into strips and made to look like hinges. Add to this 6 brass handles 55pence per pair from your local stockist.
Next add some off cuts of scrap wood and to imitate logs on the fire....there you go you have saved yourself approx £60 - £70.