Well, I finally finished the bed! Yes, I mean just finished it at 2:00 in the morning. I wanted it done so I can work on some other projects. It’s been a long time in the works. There was still snow on the ground when I started. I’ve included some photos of the finished product. Tomorrow I’m going to add a new project and include photos of the bed assembled in the bedroom with the quilt my wife made.
I live in Iowa very near the Amana Colonies. The wife and I were there a couple weeks ago, the first time I’ve ever been. While there we went to the furniture factory store. They semi mass produce their furniture. They batch the parts but then hand assemble each one. I’ve attached a link to their web site. They make a mission style bed. Once at the web site click the “Beds” link and then the “Mission all slat bed”. I have to say that the wife and I agreed that it wasn’t as good as the bed I was making.
http://www.amanafurniture.com/products/sleeping.html
-- Owen Johnson - aka IowaWoodcrafter
14 comments so far
Tim Pursell
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481 posts in 1951 days
#1 posted 1809 days ago
Looks teriffic! You really have something to be proud of there! Gorgeous wood!
-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/tpursell?ref=si_shop
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1991 days
#2 posted 1809 days ago
Owen,
This looks good. I am a fan of mission style furniture and you did well on this piece. I am sure the novelty and excitement of cutting all those mortises wore off quickly.
This is a nice post.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
Grumpy
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17840 posts in 2020 days
#3 posted 1809 days ago
Very impressive Owen. a piece of furniture that will last a lifetime or two or more.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
LarryAnderson
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2 posts in 1809 days
#4 posted 1808 days ago
Wow, Owen!! What an impressive project!
Thanks so much for taking time, not only to show us the photos of your progress, but also for describing your solutions to the problems that arose.
Keep it up…and share more, more, more.
Oh, and one question: Where did you get the plans for this bed? Maybe you told us, but I haven’t found that info yet.
Looking forward to the next chapter of your terrific saga!
-- Larry Anderson, Tupelo, MS -- Shopsmith owner
pyromedic602
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164 posts in 1918 days
#5 posted 1808 days ago
very nice. Sleep well my friend you deserve it.
-- Pyromedic602, free wood is always good wood
Taigert
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593 posts in 2010 days
#6 posted 1807 days ago
Very nice looking bed you have many comfortable nights ahead of you. Enjoy
-- Taigert - Milan, IN
Mark Shymanski
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3966 posts in 1882 days
#7 posted 1804 days ago
What a great looking bed. Well done!
-- "Checking for square? what madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2
IowaWoodcrafter
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280 posts in 2246 days
#8 posted 1804 days ago
LarryAnderson, The plans are from Wood Magazine.
Scott, The Wood Magazine plans reduce the number of mortises you need to cut dramatically. The only mortises were made in the bed posts. The “mortises” in the headboard and footboard are made in a very clever way, basically with a dado blade.
-- Owen Johnson - aka IowaWoodcrafter
Jeff
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1011 posts in 2263 days
#9 posted 1804 days ago
Excellent bed Owen! I hope you are staying dry down there…
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
jeanmarc
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1883 posts in 1886 days
#10 posted 1803 days ago
Very nice looking bed
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Garyb6
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306 posts in 1800 days
#11 posted 1796 days ago
Great looking bed!! I am slowly building an entire mission style bedroom suite. Got hooked building a Morris Chair. Am currently working on a Chest of Drawers. When I get to the bed I’m sure I’ll be asking for advice. Great work.
-- Garyb6, “True simplicity does not reveal the tremendous effort it requires.” - Somerset Maugham
Greg Wurst
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769 posts in 2002 days
#12 posted 1796 days ago
That’s one good-looking bed!
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1842 days
#13 posted 1237 days ago
Nice looking bed.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
a1Jim
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87188 posts in 1746 days
#14 posted 1237 days ago
Wow Owen
Wonderful bed just beautiful . I hope you have a mortiser. wonderful work.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
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