Thread: Loft bed on a budget - Is cypress ok to use for a bed?

Somewhere else for timber supply that has untreated pine ?.
Bendigo Timber - Framing Pine

Could also use hardwood

Thanks I checked there but it states Currently Unavailable there too.

What would constitute as hard wood? I'm not sure how to tell soft from hardwood unfortunately.

Most cypress I've come across is suitable for only "rustic" furniture at best. Looking at the end-grain, it's obviously milled from rather small dia. logs and tends to have knots every foot or so.

It also tends to be rather resiny, which can make it a pita to finish if you don't allow for it and take appropriate measures. So resiny, the terpene smell can linger for quiiiite some time. In my experience it is also prone to splitting as it ages, particularly in the hearts of those aforementioned knots.

Having said all that, with careful selection of the pieces you buy (ie. with long, close-to-straight grain and a knot count you find acceptable) I can see no reason it wouldn't make a perfectly servicable bed.

Personally I wouldn't use it for slats on the bed though. All those knots, y'know.

Oh, yeah...

It would also help a lot if your daughter doesn't mind the scent.

Someone with more local knowledge may correct me but being in VIC, you should be able to find kiln dried structural (KD F17 or some other number after the F) hardwood. In your area it will likely be Vic Ash which is a nice timber to work with and should be readily available and untreated.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Most cypress I've come across is suitable for only "rustic" furniture at best. Looking at the end-grain, it's obviously milled from rather small dia. logs and tends to have knots every foot or so.

It also tends to be rather resiny, which can make it a pita to finish if you don't allow for it and take appropriate measures. So resiny, the terpene smell can linger for quiiiite some time. In my experience it is also prone to splitting as it ages, particularly in the hearts of those aforementioned knots.

Having said all that, with careful selection of the pieces you buy (ie. with long, close-to-straight grain and a knot count you find acceptable) I can see no reason it wouldn't make a perfectly servicable bed.

Personally I wouldn't use it for slats on the bed though. All those knots, y'know.

Oh, yeah...

It would also help a lot if your daughter doesn't mind the scent.

Thanks so much for this useful info, appreciate it!

Originally Posted by Alkahestic

Someone with more local knowledge may correct me but being in VIC, you should be able to find kiln dried structural (KD F17 or some other number after the F) hardwood. In your area it will likely be Vic Ash which is a nice timber to work with and should be readily available and untreated.

This is great info, thanks! I had seen F17 timber around, but was unsure if it would be ok for something like this. Very helpful, thanks

There is two types of cypress you usually see in Vic. One is the Golden Macrocarpa type milled from farm boundary trees and usually the sleeper type cuts are this timber if labelled Cypress. Its a light pine colour. Can have decent knots depending on where its cut from.

The other type you see in the Yards labelled Cypress is Brown Knotty and extra oily Murray Pine. Usually as square posts with the heart still in the middle.

The first type . The Golden Macrocarpa comes in all types of sizes. Its very good for furniture , depending on the cut . It can have large knots depending on where its cut from the tree. The scent isn't anything like the Murray pine type which is very strong. Its a golden light pine colour and in clear no knot sections resembles Kauri pine a little. It doesn't move much when drying from wet and is very stable once dry.

I went though a few ton of it yeas ago making furniture.
The base of this table had some clear stuff in it and the top had more of the knotty figured stuff.

IMG_0856.JPG rob2222 668.jpg

So if it’s that type of cypress yes a bed would be fine . I wouldn’t make furniture for indoors from the other type of Cypress. Interestingly though if the second type is cut right , on the quarter , it does remind me of a high end timber you see in English 18 th C furniture as a veneer cross banding . It resembles either Tulip wood or King wood . I forget which exactly atm. They both look a bit similar I’m pretty sure.

The one thing about it I noticed was it is a brittle timber. Once years ago when I made a different smaller country style kitchen table and the top had been pegged on, pegged down to the base like pre 1840 country tables were originally were. I had a situation of some mistake I had to fix and I had to get the top off. Using a large mallet and trying to knock it off from underneath the top shattered into pieces! So if you were making slats from it they should be thicker than normal slats Id say. And rail to leg sections and joins should be beefed up a touch.
It strong enough for the job and it is very good at looking great if polished right.

edit .

This stuff mostly looks like what I know as the Oily more brown looking when cut Murray pine / Cypress .
https://www.google.com/search?q=cypr...e-gws-wiz-serp

https://www.google.com/search?q=cypr...e-gws-wiz-serp


And this is the Golden Macrocarpa stuff .

Sustainable Cypress Sleepers for Garden Beds


Cypress Macrocarpa Timber Sleepers Melbourne | CERES Fair Wood

I wrote a long reply but somehow it wasn't posted. I used cypress pine palings to make slats for my base. But initially the smell was very strong.until I varnished a few coats of poly to seal the surface. It's structurally sound. But you would need to consider the smell effect. Alternatively I have used Oregon if you are in south east melbourne you can get it from tile importers at a reasonable cost.

Triodz

Like so many things, there are timbers that are ideal and timbers that can be suitable if you are prepared to work around issues. Much depends on what is available and at what price.

I have used Cypress pine, which Rob refers to as Murray pine (Callitris glauca) and I call White Cypress (there is Black Cypress too, but it is an inferior timber and not usually commercially available). It is one of the heavier softwoods, but as to some comparison, it is not as strong as the much lighter Radiata Pine. It is also very brittle when it is old and splits readily. When dry it has to be predrilled for nailing with hand nails. Nail guns may work satisfactorily if not working close to an end or an edge. I have found that the characteristic smell associated with this Cypress is only there when it is first sawn. It is used extensively for weather boards and flooring and used to be the go to material for house frames as it is as close to white ant resistant as you can get.

It comes down to, the cheaper you can get a product the more work you have to put into it to make it work. I have used it for various things including the slats for beds from recycled lining boards. Sometimes I have laminated boards to gain extra strength. Being an oily timber, it needs high clamping strength when gluing.

It can be used, but it depends on your willingness to work around issues. I worked around such issues because I had the timber for nothing.

Rob's Macrocarpa sounds like an easier bet.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Triodz

Thanks I checked there but it states Currently Unavailable there too.

What would constitute as hard wood? I'm not sure how to tell soft from hardwood unfortunately.

Try paying them a visit, they often have some limited stock on hand depending what you are after. Orders I have placed have often only been a couple of days.

Hardwood ?
Bendigo Timber - Hardwood F17 & OB

Some really good advice above.

Personally, I would never consider using cypress sleepers as it is a low quality product intended for garden use rather than making furniture.

Secondly, I would go to a real timber supplier where the prices are more reasonable and the staff know their trade.

Finally, you really need “select” or “furniture” grade timber. It does not take much wastage to remove the price differential.

And we do not know your skill level. Do you wish to complicate the build with a lot of timber preparation?

you mention teenage daughter so you may be OK. in a previous like we had bunks for our girls. One night around 3am 6 year old...yells at top of her voice "daddy daddy Iam going to be sick" half asleep I race in trying to grab her off the top bed and into toilet but .... alas too late up she throws all over me.

sufice to say the bunks converted to single beds that weekend and bugga the lack of floorspace

Wow, lots of great replies!

I am looking at hardwood and the Victorian ash, even though it almost doubles in cost compared to the pine, appears to be the forerunner. The cypress has taken a firm backseat as the brittleness mentioned did not sit well with me.

Thanks to everyone, I have learned a few things and this has been very eye opening. My skill level is probably lower intermediate. I have reasonable tools, I can dress timber, and I have a good grasp of terminology and a couple of joinery methods. I get that lower cost equals more work. Oh boy, do I get that!

I have found another place or two around Bendigo, so am checking those places too.

Originally Posted by Triodz

I have found another place or two around Bendigo, so am checking those places too.

If you are now looking more to the furniture grades of timber check out these guys.

Glencoe Trade | Timber Supplies Bendigo + Central Victoria | Glencoe Trade | Timber Supplies Bendigo | Hardwood Timber | Quality Timber
Bovalino Fine Furniture Timber and Vehicle Storage