JordsWoodShop Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 Hi all, I'm just about to embark on a fairly simple project, a bed, however Im a little bit stuck on how to go about attaching the long rails (the ones that run the length of the mattress) to the head and tail of the bed frame. I was originally thinking that I should use large sliding dovetails as I could get away without using glue and be able knock the frame down in the future, but I'm thinking overtime wood movement will become an issue with the joint becoming either loose giving a wobbly bed frame, or tight making it impossible to knock down the bed for storage in the future. I really liked the idea of making the bed with no hardware, just good old wood joints, but on a more practical level I think It may be necessary to incorporate a little bit of hardware. Has anybody got any tips on how you would go about joining the rails? Do you think a sliding dovetail will be appropriate or maybe something else. Regards Jordan http://www.jordswoodshop.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 beds must breakdown for transport, thus bed rail hardware http://www.rockler.c....cfm?page=10230 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricFortin Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 There are multiple option ranging from screw on hardware to some hardware requiring mortices. Check for bed bolts, they are often installed in conjunction with a mortice and tenon joint for a solid bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Cindy Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 I've been thinking of making a bed using Japanese shitage kama joints which can be taken apart by removing the wedge. Here are some things I have found on the internet. I made these garden benches using that joint, but I cheated. Instead of cutting the agled mortise I glued two halves of the legs with pieces in the middle cut to create the joint. I had to join the two pieces of wood anyway so that made my life easier. It works for this situation but it might not be strong enough for a bed. -Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howtoworkwood Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 I like those joints a lot!! I haven't seen the wedge put in that way before. I was going to suggest a wedged tusk tenon but your method is far more subtle. I will be using that joint at the next opportunity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 shoot indy cindy got to my idea first so i guess +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 Shallow mortise and tenon with bed bolts is the way I would go, Clean simple and traditional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Speyerer Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 I second the bed bolts and floating tenons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JordsWoodShop Posted September 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 Thanks for the suggestions guys, I like the idea of using bed bolts/tenons, I dont know if its just me not knowing where to look but it seems like it is almost impossible to get any of the screw on bed-frame hardware as mentioned by Eric and hhh. I actually made up a full size model out of 2x4's to see how everything would look in regards to proportions, and I used my handheld doweling machine for all the joinery, and used some metal brackets plus dowels with no glue for the rails and its worked a treat, infact i have decided i will use it as a daybed. Think bedbolts and mortise+tenons will be the way to go with my final piece though. Thanks Jordan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 ==> almost impossible to get any of the screw on bed-frame hardware as mentioned by Eric and hhh rockler has a variety of bed bolts and mounting hardware... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricFortin Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Thanks for the suggestions guys, I like the idea of using bed bolts/tenons, I dont know if its just me not knowing where to look but it seems like it is almost impossible to get any of the screw on bed-frame hardware as mentioned by Eric and hhh. That should get you going http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?cat=3,40842&p=41269 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Speyerer Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Surface mounted bed rail brackets as well as many other types are available at Rockler. Check out their catalog. http://woodworking.rockler.com/c/bed-futon-hardware Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gander Hill Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hello, When I build beds I either use bed bolts http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/ Item #: 274BB2 with these bolts you need to use a thick bed post (like a pencil post bed). When I build a bed that has to have a thinner leg or I want it to break down easier then I use 274BF4 These are great if you do not want to see any hardware and also want a very strong joint. These are not a wedging hardware so the jointery has to be precise. I go a little too deep with my mortise, and shim with paper until I achieve the exact fit. These are the best that I have found. They work great! Hope this helps someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 I like the wedged tenons that would look great, but if that's too intimidating here is some easy knock down invisible from the show side hardware from Rockler http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10230&site=ROCKLER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.