| Project by woodchips | posted 810 days ago | 459 views | 0 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
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This is certainly a trainwreck of different woods used for the bed. I used a lot of scrap I had laying around in the shop, most of the scrap was reclaimed wood from an older homestead. I did buy two sheets of birch plywood, paint grade, and before anyone chastises me for using plywood, it was simply a matter of keeping the costs down. So besides the plywood there is some simple pine 2x material for the posts with red cedar accents on the corners. The darker accents at the tops of the headboards and footboards are mahogany as well as the accents on the side rails. The post caps are undetermined. Although I would love to know what kind of wood it is, I am at a loss. It was very blonde grained and light in weight but not very soft. Upon feeling the weight of it I tried to press my fingernail into it like you can do with pine, and no dice. The endgrain was very pronounced with varied colors alternating in the lines. I can post a picture of the post cap material if anyone wants to try and figure out what kind of wood it is.
The impetus for the bed came out of needing more floor space in our kids’ room. And being in school produced the slim budget for materials, but in the end if you don’t look too closely, it’s a pretty decent bed. But I am serious about not looking too closely. The next one I build will be much nicer and I’m going to actually draw some plans up too, for the next one. Most of my mistakes on this one came out of not having any plans on paper, Doh! While it is just a loft bed for now, I designed it in such a way that when the time comes to move the second boy into a real bed then I’ll just build another set of side rails and viola! bunkbeds. Then when the time comes for them to have their own rooms I can cut the posts at a predetermined spot and I’ll get two twin size beds. Hope it all works the way I’ve envisioned it.
I did build a ladder, strong and very stable, but not too nice on the eyes. It’s basically a stop-gap measure until I can take the time to build something nicer. Maybe after this next semester is over and I’ve got a long Christmas break. The neighbor has already asked how much it would be to build her two girls a bed but honestly I don’t have the time for it.
Here’s a link to my webalbums page that I will update with more of the project pictures to show how is all put together.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Woodchips76/Bunkbed
-- "Who but a fool would discard seeminly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent engineering" -- Aldo Leopold
10 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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14174 posts in 1059 days
posted 810 days ago
excellent—and if you already have a request for another one, then it is definitely better than how you describe it!!!
Well done.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 861 days
posted 810 days ago
Isaac, sometimes we just build for function. It really is a wonderfu bed. Your boys will be a lot happier knowing “Dad” built it. I think it looks very nice and besides it’s 10 times better than what you would get at WallyWorld. Stop apologizing.
-- Thos. Angle
CharlieM1958
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7675 posts in 1117 days
posted 810 days ago
I’m always making things out of leftovers. Escellent job!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
woodchips
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229 posts in 863 days
posted 810 days ago
Well I didn’t mean to talk it down too much but there is room for improvement, I suppose all of us can say that about any of our projects though. If ya’ll are like me than we’re always looking for ways to do it better next time. Thanks for the kind words and compliments. and Thos, my oldest boy (3 yrs) absolutely loves having an “upstairs” as he calls it. He’s definintely proud that “dad” built it. First thing he did after it was installed in his room was to wait by the door for the neighbor girl who is close to his age to get home then he yelled, “come see my new bunkbed”. it was pretty funny to watch.
-- "Who but a fool would discard seeminly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent engineering" -- Aldo Leopold
Dadoo
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1723 posts in 889 days
posted 809 days ago
I’d like to yell that at my neighbor, but she’d probably call the cops on me. ;)
Actually, I prefer plywood because of it’s strength and it’s pre-veneered. Nice bed you got there and I see that you’re planning ahead too. Ever see those dorm room type bunkbeds that have a desk under them? Good idea on gaining as much out of what little space you might have.
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
woodchips
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229 posts in 863 days
posted 809 days ago
Dadoo, yeah i have seen those beds and when i suggest making a small desk for my oldest boy (3 years old) my wife just rolled her eyes and told me to leave it alone. she’s just looking out for me though, wants me to get back to my studies and not let woodworking consume so much time. the way i see it, woodworking is supposed to consume time, that’s what keeps us lumberjocks happy, right?
are you sure you couldn’t entice your neightbor over by yelling at her to come see your bed? :) that was pretty funny, i had to laugh out loud at that, especially with the avatar you use.
-- "Who but a fool would discard seeminly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent engineering" -- Aldo Leopold
Dadoo
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1723 posts in 889 days
posted 808 days ago
You guys wouldn’t believe how strong a medicine that happyness and fresh air can be.
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
woodchips
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229 posts in 863 days
posted 788 days ago
this one obviously didn’t work, it was from picassa webalbums
-- "Who but a fool would discard seeminly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent engineering" -- Aldo Leopold
woodchips
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229 posts in 863 days
posted 788 days ago
this one worked splendidly, it is from winkflash
-- "Who but a fool would discard seeminly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent engineering" -- Aldo Leopold
Beginningwoodworker
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4229 posts in 572 days
posted 351 days ago
Thats a nice bunk bed.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker