Another Bed Design

[Gjarman12]

Please pardon the half finished render. I'm currently using my spare time to learn Fusion 360 and this was done while on a laptop, creating an ideal situation for carpal tunnel. So I stopped half way because I want to get feedback. I think you get the idea of what the bed will look like.

It is for my 3 year old and is for a double canopy bed. There is a sudden rush as a fellow soon to be classmate of my 3 year old (kindergarten in September) came over and said "Where is your bed?". Our current set up is a mattress on the floor. I personally love it for several reasons, but "Happy Wife, Happy..." This is #1 on the to do list.

If anyone could suggest the structural integrity of my design below that would be great.

I'm considering using poplar or potentially MDF for the support (is it called a stretcher?) between the headboard and footboard.

The bed will be painted white, that's why I'm leaning towards those two materials.

I plan on using 30mm thick material for the stretcher(??), so if I use MDF I will laminate two pieces together from a box store or special order some. The reason for 30mm, is this may be a reason to justify a domino XL and use the knock down connectors. I have at least one more bed to build, another murphy bed and a couple doors.

So, can I use MDF, or should I just stick with poplar. I hope to go buy the materials soon.

 

[Birdhunter]

I use poplar for prototypes, but not for the finished product where structural integrity is critical. It's not a very strong wood and I also would not use MDF for the same reason.

I'm building a bed for young friends and also plan to use the new connector. We are going with oak. Very strong and not too expensive.

Your design is attractive. Would you worry about it racking?

 

[Svar]

I would definitely use poplar.

 

[Gjarman12]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] and [member=15585]Svar[/member] thanks. I've been following that thread actually. There will be some more supports/braces that aren't shown, so I don't think racking will be a problem.
I might actually go with maple (soft) now that I think of it. It's way stronger than poplar. The reason I don't want oak for this project is because its being painted.

 

[Birdhunter]

I think maple is a great choice.

My connectors should be here Saturday. I'm anxious to examine them. I've looked at lots of videos and I still don't understand what pulls the pieces together.

I think Peter's video on the New Brit Workshop is the best.

 

[Gjarman12]

Basically finished today. I was mindless while painting and have some spots I taped off that need to be touched up.

Baby momma is going to put curtains of some sort along the upper rails.

We reused the crib from our youngest two children as the headboard, that's what it's a little different than the footboard and rails. There are a few other things that'll take a month longer than it should for me to get around too, but it's basically ready, she'll sleep in it tomorrow.

The domino knock down connectors were a dream to work with for this build.

 

[X]

Like it, nice job.

 

[Birdhunter]

Very nice. I hope my efforts produce such a nice product.