Simple Cherry Bed Frame

Very cool bed. I love the grain pattern on the footboard. Good job.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

Looks great Dorje, I used the same rail hardware on the boatbed. Love the cherry, really warm looking, what finish did you use?

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

I used Tried and True oil varnish – It’s really thick, so I heat it up and it’s a tad bit easier to apply. I really like the stuff…and low to no VOCs…

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Wow, nicely done! Now that you have the base done, you just have to do the headboard now :).

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/

looks very nice, you did a great job.
a bed frame is on my list of projects.

-- ~ www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~

Very nice! Great pics, too. I have a few questions:

1. With your split tenons, do you have 2 mortises or just one? How big is the gap between the tenons?
2. When drawboring, is there a tiny bit of space left at the end of the tenon (the top), between it and the bottom of the mortise? I think I’ll never really get drawboring (the mechanics of it) until I try it out. I understand the principle of it.
3. How are your cleats attached to the stretchers? We’ve had bed issues here in Malaysia (maybe cuz we’re so big compared to Malaysians?) that I’ve always been paranoid about understrength cleats/stretchers. In fact, when I built my son’s bed, the cleats are secured to the side stretchers with glue and about 30 screws! Ha! A sheet of 3/4” plywood sits on top of it, and I could probably jump up and down on it with no effect.

Thanks for sharing!

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Hi Dorje,

This is a nice bed. You can’t go wrong with cherry. I love the wood. The tapered legs lighten the bed and the walnut pins add a nice detail to the piece.

I have been assigned a bed (along with numerous other projects that are all #1) so I may borrow a few of your ideas if you don’t mind.

thanks for the post.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Hey Dorje;

You’re doing some really fine work. The workmanship is superb, as is your attention to detail.

Beautiful!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Dorje that’s a beautiful bed. The cherry is really nice and the finish just makies it look even better. That head and foot board will only make it better.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Dorje,
The simplicity is great. It brings out the quality of the craftsmanship. I too use the Tried and True, but never thought about heating it up… the stuff is as thick as maple syrup…
Thanks for the tip.

Tom

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

The wood is really splendid, the finish is warm and beautiful, and it will only age to a better and more mellow hue. I agree with Scott about the leg conformation, and like the subtle chamfer at the top of the legs. How did you mortise in the hardware on the long rails?. It’s got to be tough to secure that long a timber and work endgrain.
Really looks good, Dorje.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Eric- It’s just one big mortise. Splitting the tenons was an along-the-way decision. The twin tenons are pinned right in the center of each of them. I think I cut out 1” between the two. Also, if I understand the question re: the space at the end of the tenon…then, yes, the mortise is about 1/16”-1/8” deeper than the length of the tenon. That would be standard practice, whether you draw bore or not. The cleats were affixed like yours! Glue and screws!

Scott – most of my ideas are not really mine, just a composite of borrowed ideas…

Douglas – I can’t recall exactly how I did it! It was a couple months ago now, but I know that I routed out the mortise on the end grain with the rails in the face vise, the ends pointing up at me at an angle. I think I used the plunge router with a fence to waste the bulk of the mortise to the right depth and cut out the rest with a chisel. Getting the right depth so the rails would lock into the legs and close up tight took a little fussing around with test mortises.

Thanks for all the comments guys!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Very nice simple clean lines. Great contruction.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thank for posting this – it has given me some inspiration on a project I am currently working on.

Simple clean lines, but nice detail – a winner

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

I don’t remember seeing the cross dowel technique to avoid screwing into endgrain before. Hopefully I will remember that trick next time I have that issue. Great looking bed. Thanks for posting.

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever... - Keats

That is a very good explanation of how you built the bed. It looks really nice.

-- Maplewood, MN

Thanks guys – now I’m wondering what Tony’s thinking!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Dude, that is a sweeeeeeeet bed, and that second picture looks like it could have been in a Thos. Moser catalog… Wicked nice job.

-- Jarrod, Eagle Nest, NM http://anthologyfinefurniture.wordpress.com

Nice work, love the crisp lines. It is inspirational for me as I too am looking to make a bed frame and I now have a ton (quite literally) of cherry.

Can you tell us about the finish you put on. It looks great.

Thanks,
Bill.

Bill – the finish is Tried and True varnish oil…

http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Great work man! Good craftsmanship.

-- 10 fingers, 2 eyes, and healthy lungs. for now. :P

Dorje, that is a really beautiful piece. I love the simplicity with no headboard. I bet it adds a nice aesthetic to the room without overwhelming it. Also makes for a more restful environment. All of the pieces sound like they are very stout but look very well proportioned. I have been toying with building a platform bed for quite some time now and this has given me some more inspiration.

-- Joe, Indiana, http://www.crookedshack.com

very nice…thanks for all the extra picts and descriptions…i love the wood…and the legs…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...142 days to sanity...

Very nice Dorje…I have a bed on my list of projects. I love simple yet beautiful furniture.

-- Steffen

Super nice!!!! Love that cherry.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Yes, I have a platform bed in my future. Yours is awesome!! Love that cherry, and the finish looks very clear, not too yellow like Armor Seal, or Tung oil. Just a beautiful bed!!

-- Matt, Houston Texas