Kody's Bed #1: Overview

This is my very first project I’m attempting. I’ve been studying (books, DVDs, TV shows) the craft for a few years now while I built up my repertoire of tools. So that means almost every tool and technique I attempt, is really for the first time. The only other experience I have is with house remodeling.

So far, everything is going well and I am actually nearing the end.

It’s based on Rockler’s plans, with a few modifications which I’ll point out in the follow-ups.

The wood will be mainly hard maple with cherry as a complementary species.

As for the finish, I plan on using BLO followed by shellac. Two things I haven’t used yet, so like everything else, that’ll be a fun time.

Every joint will be done with the Domino, except for the knock-down hardware.

And after I get this bed done, I’m going to do the whole thing again for my other son. I’ll document that piece in more detail and in more stages of progress. Hopefully that one will go a lot faster.

One of my goals for this project was to not have to power sand anything. And I’m happy to report that I was successful. With a combination of a jointer and smoothing plane, plus a spokeshave for the curves, I prepared all my pieces to what I think is a nice surface. We’ll see what the finish says though…