Domino XL for building bed frame?.

[sgryd]

Hi.
I'm about to build a bed frame in oak. I'd rather not glue the long sides as this would make the frame very heavy and impractical to move.

I have a very small shop and I don't think I could manage to make good tenons on the 2 m long sides, as I'm not that good with hand tools and I have no jig for routing tenons at the end of a horizontal board. Would Domino XL and a couple of bolts suffice? I've had my eyes on the XL for some time. It would be great if it would fit this project.

Thanks
/Michael

 

[Birdhunter]

I'm positive you will get a number of replies touting either the 500 or 700 Domino machines.

I have built some large projects using the 500 model. Where I needed extra strength, I used 2 Dominos. I've never had a structural failure using this technique.

Both from a space saving and a money saving point of view, I don't like to buy a tool that has limited use. I find the 500 model fits 95% of my needs and its smaller and lighter characteristics make it a joy to use.

Whichever model you buy, also buy the Domiplate. It is a fantastic aid to using the Domino.

I'm sure you know, you will need a good vac. One with an integrated power outlet that turns on the vac when you activate the Domino saves lots of time.

I suggest you watch the Halfinchshy videos on the Domino. The videos are far better than the manual.

Good luck with the project.

 

[sgryd]

Thanks.
I actually have (and love) the 500 and the Domiplate. Didn't think it would fit the bill. But if it does, I'll get away with a much less expensive bed building =)

Anyone thinking the 500 will be too small? Anyone? Anyone?  [tongue]  *slippery slope song sounding in the background*

 

[Rob Z]

Good morning Michael

A friend who is a woodworker and cabinet maker buys a hardware kit  to use for this application. He made a jig to use with his router and routs out for the hardware that goes into the head board and footboard.  For the rails, there is a bit of hardware that locks into the mortised portion in the footboard/headboard.

I'm not sure where he gets it, but it's likely that it is  easy to find it online.

I hope this helps....

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Good morning Michael

A friend who is a woodworker and cabinet maker buys a hardware kit  to use for this application. He made a jig to use with his router and routs out for the hardware that goes into the head board and footboard.  For the rails, there is a bit of hardware that locks into the mortised portion in the footboard/headboard.

I'm not sure where he gets it, but it's likely that it is  easy to find it online.

I hope this helps....

Rockler sells this bed frame hardware: http://www.rockler.com/search/go?w=bed%20rail%20hardware

The good thing about some hardware is that the bed can be easily disassembled for moving.

I assume that if you're thinking that the 500 won't work, then it's because the rails are stout. If this is the case, I wouldn't trust the 500 because the tenons are too short to hold.

 

[sgryd]

I haven't designed the frame yet, but I would suppose that the rails will be about 2" thick at the bottom and about 1/2" on the top (the visible outer frame). At 2 meter long those rails might be called stout.

I found the hardware for this. I'll look into it some more. But the hardware I found only seems to hold the rail from falling down. Should I also use bolts to draw the parts together?

Here is the hardware I found:

 

[peter halle]

I know that you are Sweden, but here is a website just to show you some of the various hardware options.  You should be able to find similar over on your side of the ocean.  There is even one that is surface mounted.  Usually there are pins or bolts involved also.  http://www.rockler.com/woodworking/Bed-Hardware

Peter

 

[mouppe]

I have built two beds using the domino 500 to tenon the legs into the head and footboards. I used two 10x50 dominos at each end of the stretcher (unglued for alignment only) and a bed bolt to hold things together.

If your bedposts are about 2 inches thick which is normal, you won't benefit from using the domino XL as your tenon can only go into the post so far.

Here's a picture of my son's bed in solid cherry- you can see the thickness of the stretchers and posts- and I can assure you this bed is as solid as a rock. I couldn't rack it as hard as I tried.

The smaller domino is ideal for beds.

[attachimg=#]

 

[semenza]

I have used a couple different types of the bed rail hardware.  Both that I have used  , including those pictured from Rockler,  have a taper  on the hooks that causes  them to draw tight as they are pushed down into the slots (or over pins for some).

Seth

 

[sancho57]

i use something like  these

http://www.screwfix.com/p/socket-countersunk-screws-a2-stainless-steel-m8-x-25mm-pack-of-50/28313?_requestid=282294

with something like these

http://www.screwfix.com/p/cross-dowels-m6-x-16mm-pack-of-50/67762?_requestid=283616

 

[johnpombrio]

I too recommend the smaller Domino jointer for bed-frames. Like the poster that showed the bed picture (RL), I use the same technique, two dominos and a bed bolt. I always make as much of my furniture as knock down as possible and by only gluing the dominos into the rails, the beds are extremely sturdy. I have built two bunk beds and two regular beds this way. They stood up to college life so study they are!
As an interesting touch, I also used small dominos into boards attached to the bottom of the rails. They sit vertically and are used to support boards that hold up the mattress. By routing the ends of the boards the same thickness as the domino, it forms a sliding joint that lets the boards flex when sat upon. they act like bed springs, do not shift position, and again are knock down and take little room when stored. I could do a picture if you would like.

 

[tjacks66]

I am working up a bed for my grandson - any pictures would be great!

 

[Stone Message]

Dominos are a great way to do dry fit / knock down furniture. You can either let the domino float completely or (my preference) glue it into the weaker member - for a bed this is the rail as it goes into the grain.

You can certainly do this with the Domino 500 but if, like me, you need a really good excuse to get the DF700 then why not get one and make a better job. A 14mm domino will make a far better locator and support member than a 10mm one.

The Domino DF700 is one of the most beautifully engineered and design tools that I have ever handled. It has far better capabilities than the DF500 and, despite its size, is easier to handle. It is still on my wish list but, hopefully, not for much longer - birthday very soon; just need to send out some hints.

Good luck with the bed project.

Peter

 

[jacko9]

Michael,

I've built a few beds with twin housed mortise and tenon joints and5/8"  bolts to secure the long bed rails.  I would now use my Domino 700 with 5/8" tenons and house the long rails in the posts and use bolts to secure the long rails.

I even made twin bunk beds this way without a bit of wobble when assembled.  Sorry but I didn't have a digital camera when I did that project.

Good luck with whatever solution you execute.

Jack