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
12 comments so far
Tim Pursell
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388 posts in 675 days
posted 533 days ago
Looks teriffic! You really have something to be proud of there! Gorgeous wood!
-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6453794
Scott Bryan
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20586 posts in 715 days
posted 533 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.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 744 days
posted 533 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 533 days
posted 532 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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165 posts in 641 days
posted 532 days ago
very nice. Sleep well my friend you deserve it.
-- Pyromedic602, free wood is always good wood
EdC
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457 posts in 733 days
posted 530 days ago
Very nice looking bed you have many comfortable nights ahead of you. Enjoy
-- Ed - Milan, IN
Mark Shymanski
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1555 posts in 606 days
posted 528 days ago
What a great looking bed. Well done!
-- ...it's rennovation time!!!
IowaWoodcrafter
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256 posts in 969 days
posted 528 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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996 posts in 987 days
posted 528 days ago
Excellent bed Owen! I hope you are staying dry down there…
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
jeanmarc
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1751 posts in 609 days
posted 527 days ago
Very nice looking bed
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Garyb6
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262 posts in 523 days
posted 520 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, “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler” - Albert Einstein
Greg Wurst
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716 posts in 725 days
posted 520 days ago
That’s one good-looking bed!
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.