Thread: Thoughts on a BIG bed

I suggest getting a few pianos and using the material from them. A tuner/mover I know gets offered around a hundred each year. What you get is: spectacular veneered panels; beautifully carved cabrioles and quite often; brass candelabras that you could wire for led.

There are eleven on gumtree within 50k of me as I type this.

I'm in the process of finishing up a bunk bed for my daughter. I have made it out of Tasmanian Oak which I have found quite nice to work with.

I have used the Festool Domino connectors to allow it to be knocked down for transport.

Jeremy

I have never made a 4 poster but have done a few beds over the years. First couple were just pine and for kids beds thats fine. One was lime washed and looked ok but not the look you want. My last effort was a queen size in NGR.
My advice would be first get the design sorted out. I did a quick google and there are thousands out there. In essence a 4 poster is just a bed with longer than usual corner posts/legs.
Pick a nice wood that looks the part. It will be expensive but you could be sleeping in it the rest of your life so no point feeling remorse about skimping on the wood.
The curtains and upholstery will have to be sourced and will likely cost a fair bit too.
It will have to be knock down in structure unless you build it in the room.
I would avoid using the moldings from bunnies as that will only give it a cheap look. Better to make what you can in the same wood. It can be simple and still look good. Something to think on in the design stage. Get some practice in on the scroll saw perhaps.
You'r lighting sounds ok and LEDs can be found for all kinds of applications now.
Sounds like an interesting project you have set yourself so keep posting as you go.
Regards
John

Every single person I've spoken to regarding 4 poster beds, love the idea initially, ends up hating the bed and going back to a normal bed.
This is particularly true if you ever plan on moving it.

However if your heart is set then go nuts, in terms of wood I'd go to a salvage yard and pick out all the lumber you'll need. you'll need to dress everything before you use it but from your list of tools you shouldn't have any issues. Just be mindful of nails and screws obviously. The price of Jarrah at my local salvage yard is a quarter of the price of dressed pine at the big green shed.

In terms of lighting, I'd suggest getting dim able lights. Obviously for safety reasons get a sparky to do your wiring.

Thanks for the replies so far.
The Piano Idea is fantastic. a quick search showed a stack nearby.
In terms of Tassie Oak, I do like it's look and it should keep its form very well.
The curtains and valances etc I can make up myself, another little hobby i picked up for bonding time with the daughters.
Knock down is a must, the biggest issue I have is the posts are going to have to be removable from the head/foot to get them in and out I'm sure I will figure something out.
I've had a look at some of the salvage yards, found some big cypress pine posts but all the other timber had a lot of metal left in them.
I'va also got an electrician mate who can hook up the lights for me, if I can't find some pre made.
The scroll saw is a good idea, and bandsaw for the bigger stuff I guess.

Great to get this input.

thanks

Dan

Once you have selected the timber you THINK you will use. I would then decide on a finish.
I would then get small samples of the timber and get the finishing product and apply it to your samples.
Then if you are happy with this invest in the timber you WILL use.
If you use Pine. it is essential to sort out your finish. Doing it wrong could end up with a blotchy finish.
If you use Cypress Pine for Posts and another product for rails etc, the finish will show up differently.
If you apply a stain to the samples make sure you use the exact same method on your masterpiece.
I have applied the stain with a rag on my sample and then used a brush on the real deal, the brush method produced a darker stain.

If you are going to paint it the above is not that relevant.

If a younger or Active person will use the bed, I would not use Pine. I have had to replace the screws with larger gauge screws because they pull out with all of the movement.

The slats that support the mattress tend to use Pine, this OK it is just chunky 35mm thick. Another approach is to use Merbau Decking, it is hardwood, it is thinner 19mm and wider 140mm than pine (less boards). You will probably need a rail in the middle for support.

I think I have said enough for now.

Just a thought on the bed posts, I have seen them made from 4 pieces creating a box instead of a solid post, a bit like this
Or with mitred joints. Strengthen (or fill with solid timber) where the posts join the bed. May save lots of $$$ compared to solid posts and be a lot lighter to assemble or take apart.