Modern Bed for Kids

[alfa]

I originally came across these beds a few years ago from a company in Italy called Dear Kids. After figuring out which way to configure the room, I scored some 8/4 rift cut white oak from my preferred local lumber yard and started trying to build this.

These are the build pics for bed A and I still need to put in the sliding hardware for the drawers. Then bed B....time permitting.

 

[Cheese]

Looks good [big grin], especially like the rift sawn oak. I'd be interested in seeing more photos as the project continues.

 

[Anodyne]

Very nice project. I've been planning something similar for our twins in my head for a while. Will definitely be watching your progress.

 

[mike_aa]

That oak is great, I really like it, and that's a great job on what you've done so far.

It see that you are mixing the grain orientation on the solid wood panels and the framework.  What accommodations have you made for expansion and contraction of the solid glued up panels?

Are you making the bed slats, too?

Thanks, Mike A.

 

[Davej]

Nice project .
I am in the process of making a novelty bed for my 1st. grandson.

Dave

 

[alfa]

That oak is great, I really like it, and that's a great job on what you've done so far.

It see that you are mixing the grain orientation on the solid wood panels and the framework.  What accommodations have you made for expansion and contraction of the solid glued up panels?

Are you making the bed slats, too?

Thanks, Mike A.

Thanks everyone for the comments!

Mike: I tried my best to match the lateral edges to each other. I used Titebond III and two 50 mm dominoes in between the 10" pieces (for the lower/pictured Bed A). I made the same head/footer pieces for the higher Bed B and used three 50 mm dominoes. I live in the FLL/Miami area and the wood is pretty well acclimated. Except for the humidity, the temperature is pretty much set at one temp in the house so I'm hoping there won't be too much expansion. Also the frame that sits on top of the head/footer is secured with a piece of red oak/screws which should provide some degree of stabilization... Not as elegant as I would have wanted but it saved me a lot of time. For the slats I cheated: Ikea.

 

[mike_aa]

That oak is great, I really like it, and that's a great job on what you've done so far.

It see that you are mixing the grain orientation on the solid wood panels and the framework.  What accommodations have you made for expansion and contraction of the solid glued up panels?

Are you making the bed slats, too?

Thanks, Mike A.

Thanks everyone for the comments!

Mike: I tried my best to match the lateral edges to each other. I used Titebond III and two 50 mm dominoes in between the 10" pieces (for the lower/pictured Bed A). I made the same head/footer pieces for the higher Bed B and used three 50 mm dominoes. I live in the FLL/Miami area and the wood is pretty well acclimated. Except for the humidity, the temperature is pretty much set at one temp in the house so I'm hoping there won't be too much expansion. Also the frame that sits on top of the head/footer is secured with a piece of red oak/screws which should provide some degree of stabilization... Not as elegant as I would have wanted but it saved me a lot of time. For the slats I cheated: Ikea.

I only mentioned it because I recently saw some tables with a similar construction where the base was three slabs of solid wood glued up in a vertical grain orientation to make a u-shaped base.  The top had the grain going lengthwise across the one slab.  They were only a year old and that one slab had already split from wood movement probably because it was attached to the top with a different grain orientation.  The end panel slabs had the same orientation as the top so they were fine.  This was a bit different than your situation since this slab was much bigger and about twice as long so maybe you'll be OK.  I'd just hate to see something like that mess up all your nice work.  Using the dominos should help, though.

Nothing wrong with Ikea bed slats!  Currently sleeping on some.

Mike A.