New Bedroom #2: How long do I have?

The leisurely 4 to 6 week project just became a 2 to 3 week project! The mattress and box spring arrived 4 weeks EARLY. They now sit in the middle of my living room taking up prime real estate:

This has given me renewed vigor to work nonstop to finish the project. I started the week working on all the mortises. This was my first time using my Delta mortising machine. It’s pretty cool. Worked like a charm. I bought it a while ago and hadn’t used it on a project until now.

I had to make almost 200 mortises, so it came in pretty handy. I used the 1/4” and 3/8” bits. I needed to add the collar extension for some of the mortises but it was pretty straight forward.

Lots of pieces of complex wood. This project is different from most of my other projects in that each piece of wood has a lot of work done to it before the assembly. I tend to design simpler components, but this is what was needed.

Remember to always keep your drawings and sketches close at hand. They saved me a couple of times:

Here is the bottom of the footboard before I started sanding for final shape. The initial cut was on my Jet band saw. I had a devil of a time drawing the original curve on the wood as a cut line. It’s a circle of radius 208 inches.

I decided to add a 45 degree chamfer to the top of the headboard and footboard. So a quick route with the chamfering bit took off the edge.

I’ve started cutting the mortises for the 6” Bed Rail Fasteners:

It’s all coming together. Most of the components are cut and ready to be finished, which I should start tomorrow by staining.

Room prep continues. Bought all the paint for the walls (and paint hardware). Ordered the fan and “stained glass” window treatment:

.

Had a minor accident. I was dry fitting a mortise and tenon joint to test the accuracy of the cuts – it was pretty snug. While trying to pull the two stuck pieces apart the piece came out with such force that I hit myself in the face with the end of the slat! (Yes I was wearing my safety glasses) It left 3 “rivulets” of blood on my lower cheek. It probably would have taken a tooth out had it hit me in the mouth. Not a big injury but it’s a reminder; I’ve only been injured twice in the shop and NEITHER involved power tools. You can be hurt by anything. Always be vigilant with safety.

At this rate I should be done with the bed in about a week. Baring anymore surprises. I’m still working on the designs for the Night Stands (which will be next) and the Dresser and Chest of Drawers. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for your time.
-d