Bunk Bed Ideas

[Aspiring FT Owner]

Hey everyone,

Saw these online, but they are made of Heavy Duty Melanie.  Somehow, Kids and particle board that could get wet don't seem like a good mix in my mind.

http://www.bergfurniture.com/Berg_Furniture_Online/img/MainProdPics/22-816A.jpg

Any ideas on cost of making them out of a product like the Laminated Bamboo Ply with a Poly coating for kid durability.  Think Walko Bench Tops for the sheet goods.

How long would you expect such a project to take, working on it weekends, and what tools etc...  I'm thinking that kitchen cabinet carcass tools would carry over very well on a project like this.

Thanks for your input.

 

[vteknical]

I live in Chicago area and the link below has a showroom in Arlington Heights.  Furniture is cute and well thought out in terms of functionality.  Unfortunately, quality of materials, hardware and durability factor are questionable.

If you decide to tackle this yourself.  Consider the following.

Must Have:

TS55
Guide rails to cut down 8' sheet goods.  Perhaps buying FS1900 in addition to the 55" that comes with the TS
Jigsaw(Festool or Bosch)

Nice but not 100% necessary
Domino(After you use one you'll put it in the MUST HAVE category.
Rotex 5" or 6"
CT Vac
MFT

Assuming you already own a drill, bits and misc. handy type tools around a typical house.  So to answer your question consider the TS55 and rail/rails as your foundation that everything eventually grows around.  Unless of your course your like many and take a big plunge into the system.  Adding an MFT will make cutting up those drawer boxes like butter.

http://www.roomstogokids.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=searchResults&freeText=CSN-shopall-Bunk_Beds

Hope this helps
Victor

 

[Aspiring FT Owner]

Thanks Victor,

I was looking online for the bamboo ply, and at $180 a sheet for 3/4 inch I'd need to plan my materials purchases very carefully.

I've got some of the tools already, but things like the Domino and MFT would be nice for assembly for sure.  I liked the design, but not the materials and a few small details I saw in person.

I wonder what other types of material is dimensionally stable, easy to clean, and kid mess/water/ etc... proof that's also nontoxic.  Bamboo Ply w oil coating or resin coating was my first thought for a neat looking/durable material.  Anyone know how it does with the domino pegs?  I've never seen it used in big furniture

I was thinking that using the mechanical fasteners like the kit comes with would be a better choice, but then the MFT table would be needed for sure for the precision on an assemble/disassemble project.

 

[EcoFurniture]

I used Bamboo on many projects. Don't worry, it machines very nicely. As for non-toxic material: Plyboo or Teragren are the only Formaldehyde free bamboo manufacturers! As for the finishes: Forget everything you will find at Home Depot and such... it's all toxic... Go with the Polyureaseal BP from AFM Safecoat. A very nice product!

Here is a pic of one of the bigger bamboo projects we did:

 

[Dane]

If you don't want to spend 180.00 a sheet, you should look at the PureBond plywood from Columbia Forest Products.  Non-toxic adhesive that is almost as water resistant as marine plywood.  It would be as durable as the Plyboo if not more so and it cost about 60.00 a sheet at most Home Depots.  I believe that they can order it in various veneers as well.  As for plans, if you Google "plywood bunkbed plans"  you will get a number of options including this one from the Canadian Plywood Association, which I think looks pretty good if you are into modern stuff:  http://www.canply.org/pdf/main/plyplans/plywoodplans_bunkbed.pdf