Thread: Building 1st bed frame

I guess you could use a sliding wedged-shaped dovetail somehow - Ryanarcher has a good grasp on trad. Japanese joints - he's going to build a house without nails or bolts! Maybe he'll answer.

I used these, with a 6mm deep mortise in the leg. Very sturdy joint, no movement detectable with only moderate tension on the bolt. I like the look of the covers - you could inlay one too I guess...

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...=3,40842,41269

I'm going to use these on the kingsize bed (next project):

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...&FamilyID=3269

Originally Posted by Dennis O

I'm going to use these on the kingsize bed (next project):

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...&FamilyID=3269

Do those fasteners work well, i am thinking of using them for the bed i am going to make, but i am new to all this.

Originally Posted by miss-hip-chick

Do those fasteners work well, i am thinking of using them for the bed i am going to make, but i am new to all this.

No, you get movement in them.

These are better, no movement

Heavy Duty Bed Bracket

You could use stub tenons on the rails and short mortices in the posts
Fit a (tubular) nut into the centre of the sides of the ends of the rails
(fit it from the inside of the rails so its not visible from outside.)
Then drill a long hole thru the posts and alond the centre of the rail.
When you put the bolt in it will draw the m&t nice and tight.

Hope you can work out the method without a pic.

Originally Posted by Sprog

No, you get movement in them.

These are better, no movement

Heavy Duty Bed Bracket

Sprog has got the right idea. These are the brackets to use. You could also use a loose tenon (only fixed at one end- not glued in).
Carry Pine

Thanks guys, i think i will go with the heavy duty bracet instead, they look to do a good job and look reasonably priced to. I think i may be calling for you guys help, in few weeks when i start making these beds. Oh i do hope i do a good job, i have only ever made a coffee table before and that was with my father in law telling me what to do, but he isnt around any more. Just got to work out what wood to use now.

Seriously?

What Echidna says is spot on.

I made 2 beds a while ago, for 6 and 8 year olds. I suggested that even girls will give them a hard time, and designed accordingly with 2 bolts per post.

Not one week later, not one, or two, but three girls jumping on the bed at once.

A year later, and they still don't move or make any noise.

I think I have some pics of what and how I did it if you need to see rather than read.

For my mind, bed bolts are the only way to make a bed that will last through anything you can throw at it.

To a point, I think the only way the beds I made will catastrophically fail is if they are set on fire.

And even then I have my doubts as to wether they will fail.

I have used the CROSS DOWELS and bolt on a queen size bed that I made.
The Cross Dowels are set back about 30mm from the end of the rail and are available in a 1/4 BSW or M6 thread in them. I used a brass DOME HEAD and a section of threaded rod to secure the posts to the rail. The brass head has a 5mm hex (allen drive) in it and can be left visable or recessed and a cover button placed over it. If your going to recess it and cover it up, then a normal 1/4x5" Hex Head Bolt (depending on your post size) would be enough. I also put 2 10x50mm timber dowels either side of the bolt to assist in keeping the rail secure.

It hasn't yet, but if it gets loose, a twist of the allen key will fix it.

There are many good bed brackets on the market too.
Yes, all this is available online from here in Oz

Ray

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Seriously?

What Echidna says is spot on.

I made 2 beds a while ago, for 6 and 8 year olds. I suggested that even girls will give them a hard time, and designed accordingly with 2 bolts per post.

Not one week later, not one, or two, but three girls jumping on the bed at once.

A year later, and they still don't move or make any noise.

I think I have some pics of what and how I did it if you need to see rather than read.

For my mind, bed bolts are the only way to make a bed that will last through anything you can throw at it.

To a point, I think the only way the beds I made will catastrophically fail is if they are set on fire.

And even then I have my doubts as to wether they will fail.

The pics would be great, i do find it easier to see it rather than read it. I will pm you me email addy. Thanks

Have used the hdbb-2 brackets from Timbecon and they are excellent. I used them on a Double bed which can be seen under Woodwork at

http://gallery.groov-e.com/

Regards Mike

Started making my bed yesterday- stay tuned.
Carry Pine