Have a brick fireplace. Also have your basic slab of exotic wood (7feet
by 18 inches, 2 inches thick) that I would like to place on this
fireplace as a mantle. Not sure how to hang it, but am sure want the
hanging to be invisible. Am thinking of drilling 4-5 half inch holes in
the mortar line, placing a metal rod along with epoxy in those holes,
making sure they are plumb and true. And long enough to stick out 8-10
inches. Then drilling matching holes ( maybe a wee bit larger) in the
wood slab. Then sliding it onto the rods with or without epoxy. That
should allow for a nice invisible installation. Anyone have suggestions
or shoot down commments? Or a better way?

The fireplace has a gas fireplace in it that is used infrequently, but
will be about 2 feet below where I envision the mantle.

thanks.