Bed Design

[mrFinpgh]

I have used the Lee Valley hardware to build my bed.  It is quite robust and has handled assembly/disassembly many times now.

My bed frame is somewhat similar to your picture, although I have done away with the headboard.  The only difference is that I upholstered it.

For materials, I glued and screwed 4/4 poplar to 5/4 poplar (this created a cleat for the slats to rest on).  The legs are red oak.  I have a 2x4 for a center rail.  The slats are 1x3 pine.  It cost me maybe $150 in materials, plus the hardware.

So far, it has held up quite well for the past five years or so.  I suspect I will replace it at some point only due to a desire to change styles.

If they are a new family, they may find themselves relocating the bed sometime in the future, and having a knockdown assembly will surely make their lives easier in that case.

Best,
Adam

 

[Sparktrician]

You might want to look at this book on beds from Taunton Press. 

 

[SoonerFan]

The onsite glue-up is looking better all the time. No, I'm doing this pro bono. They are a sweet young couple and raising a beautiful child. The husband is a hair stylist and the wife is our Pilates instructor. They are smart about money, just don't have much of it right now. I've been very blessed in my life and it's darn satisfying to give back even as an amateur carpenter.

I don't have much to add that has not already been stated by others on the bed design/build.  I do want to add good for you for helping them out.  Terrific to know there are good people like you and many on this forum still around. 

 

[chupatngy]

If you are still in the design phase of the build check out mountainmulehardwoods on Instagram. They have some beds with a nice design that could be great for design inspiration.

 

[antss]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member] [member=64733]Naildrivingman[/member]

I know for a fact that Peach State in Kennesaw, Suwanee Lumber, GA Hardwoods in Buford and Atlanta Hardwoods in Smyrna all carry 8/4 white oak.  They all have nice selections of other hardwoods too.

None of them are really "intown" , but they're only 20-25 miles outside.

Atlanta Hardwoods ( closest in) is part of a huge import/expot operation and can get just about anything you want to pay for.  They also carry Festool

We also have Carltons Rare Woods for that stuff you just gotta have but can't find anywhere else.

 

[Birdhunter]

I visited Highland Woodworking today and looked at an example of a corner joint using the Festool connector. Really neat.

I was referred to an Ebay offer of 8 corner connectors. I did order them.

I am in Carltons all the time for exotic wood. Nice people. I will order the white oak quarter sawn from Atlanta Hardwood. They deliver locally and Peach doesn't.

I've done some test pieces, legs, short rail section, etc using poplar. I've looked at videos using the mortised steel connectors and I think using the Festool connectors along with 1 or 2 Dominos would be better for me.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[grbmds]

I have decided to go with two 3/4" boards glued together for the side and end pieces. The pictures kinda show a slat support affixed to the side and end pieces to form an "L". The text on the web site mentions a mid-span slat support and a 5th leg midway on that support. The slats would rest on the 4 slat supports affixed to the side and end pieces and rest on the mid-span support.

Dominos would be good to attach the slat support to the side and end pieces. Would probably use 3/4" Baltic Birch for the slat support pieces since it won't show. That would keep the cost down.

The top of the legs look inset into the side pieces. Guess I could use a router jig to hog out the inset and trim it up with a hand saw or chisel. Better ideas are very welcome.

I'll look at the Lee Valley connectors.

I know this thread is a little old already and one of the first suggestions was to use the Domino connectors, but the connectors seem really to be the answer to the type of bed shown in the pictures. They are very strong based on the demos I've seen in person and the nice thing about them is the bed would be able to be disassembled when the need arises to move it. I am thinking of making a replacement platform bed for me and that is what I plan to use if I make it. They will never come apart.

 

[Sparktrician]

I am thinking of making a replacement platform bed for me and that is what I plan to use if I make it. They will never come apart.

Many years ago I bought a really great platform bed and had the base split length-wise and the platform split cross-wise to make it easier to move.  It has served me very well over the years, and the break-down feature has made it very easy to move every time I have relocated. 

 

[antss]

Birdhunter - I'd run over there and pick out the boards myself.

They get some crappy boards in there from time to time and they always get "delivered" to someone.  You want that to be you ?  Unless you're ordering more than enough to cull through them.

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks. I will select all the boards personally. I'm hoping my young friend can borrow a pickup so I don't have to pay for delivery.

 

[Birdhunter]

I received the Festool connectors a day early and I have experimented with the bed frame joints using one connector and one Domino tenon. I have not fully set the barbs on the anchor as that is irreversible. I mocked up one corner and one leg using poplar. The clients have somewhat modified the leg design after seeing the poplar prototype. Better now than after the bed is fully built.

Cutting the mortises for the connector is complex and one has to carefully follow the directions. Accuracy is critical!

I considered using 2 connectors at each corner, but decided I wanted the full strength of a 14mm tenon in addition to a connector. I'll glue the tenon on one side of the joint and cross pin it with a screw at the other side. I should have a strong joint that can be easily taken apart.

The New Brit Workshop video is an excellent guide.

I was very pleased with my eBay transaction. The seller promptly answered two questions and the 8 connectors were new and complete. One needs a 14mm cutter for the Domino XL. The cutter is not included. The seller was upfront saying the cutter was not included.