build this bed frame?

[axis]

I really like this bed frame

but the price seems absolutely outrageous given that it pretty much just involves three pieces of wood (two vertical, one horizontal). I'm feeling a little adventurous and I might build it myself... I'm no building expert, but this particular frame doesn't look like rocket science.

I was wondering if you guys had any tips for building structures like bed frames. It will need to support the bed plus two bodies, so what would be the best wood? Also, what would be the best way to attach the pieces together? It seems like the most solid would be to place the vertical pieces completely under the platform and drill through the platform (versus placing the pieces attached to the front and back of the platform either drilling through the vertical pieces or using triangle blocks underneath).

[willshak]

On 1/2/2005 1:38 PM US(ET), axis took fingers to keys, and typed the following:

Best posted to news:rec.woodworking

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Looks fairly simple. While you only see three pieces of wood, there is probably two more under it to give support. They state it is a veneer. You can use woods like poplar and apply veneer to them, or you can use solid wood. I'd probably use a lower priced wood and laminate the high priced wood to it to keep cost down.

You probably need in the range of 65 board feet of lumber. It looks like about 1 1/2" thick. Under the mattress a sheet of 3/4" plywood would do, supported by a couple cross members. I'd use solid wood for the sides. The front and back supports can be solid wood or a laminate, again this will save cost.

For joinery, I'd probably use a rabbet and the glue and screw the top to it. Just a guess, you'd spend about $200 to $400 on material depending on what woods you choose. A sheet of birch plywood is about $50, but cherry would be about $100. This is where I buy much of my wood so you can check prices for an estimate.

[JA]

Or, you could compromise and buy something similar for a lot less, e.g.,

*10144The store itself may have more similar beds in stock, or it did the local one did last time I looked, which was a couple of months ago.

[Ed Clarke]

Those are likely to be "torsion box" contstruction. Note under options that you have to specify a veneer - wenge or cherry. There are three "boxes" - the front, the top and the bottom. Each of these will be similar to a hollow core door. There are six pieces to each box PLUS internal bracing and then each box has to be veneered with the wenge or cherry.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but that simple three piece unit is more complicated than it looks. You also have to connect the boxes together in a sturdy fashion. I'd use RTA connecting screws plus barrel nuts (probably). You can get these from McFeely's (

). I've never tried to veneer things so don't know how difficult that will be.

For more/better information, ask in the "rec.woodworking" newsgroup instead of alt.home.repair. Be warned that like fishing, auto mechanics and boating, woodworking is addictive and you can always find a reason to spend huge amounts of money on it.

[Mac Cool]

axis:

My shins would hate me.