I really like this bed frame
(http://zoehome.com/ItemDetail.php3?S...3103&Page=#top) but the
price seems absolutely outrageous given that it pretty much just involves
three pieces of wood (two vertical, one horizontal). I'm feeling a little
adventurous and I might build it myself... I'm no building expert, but this
particular frame doesn't look like rocket science.

I was wondering if you guys had any tips for building structures like bed
frames. It will need to support the bed plus two bodies, so what would be
the best wood? Also, what would be the best way to attach the pieces
together? It seems like the most solid would be to place the vertical pieces
completely under the platform and drill through the platform (versus placing
the pieces attached to the front and back of the platform either drilling
through the vertical pieces or using triangle blocks underneath).

On 1/2/2005 1:38 PM US(ET), axis took fingers to keys, and typed the
following:

I really like this bed frame
(http://zoehome.com/ItemDetail.php3?S...3103&Page=#top) but the
price seems absolutely outrageous given that it pretty much just involves
three pieces of wood (two vertical, one horizontal). I'm feeling a little
adventurous and I might build it myself... I'm no building expert, but this
particular frame doesn't look like rocket science.

I was wondering if you guys had any tips for building structures like bed
frames. It will need to support the bed plus two bodies, so what would be
the best wood? Also, what would be the best way to attach the pieces
together? It seems like the most solid would be to place the vertical pieces
completely under the platform and drill through the platform (versus placing
the pieces attached to the front and back of the platform either drilling
through the vertical pieces or using triangle blocks underneath).

Best posted to news:rec.woodworking

--
Bill

"axis" wrote in message
news:jcXBd.13465$3m6.1246@attbi_s51...
I really like this bed frame
(http://zoehome.com/ItemDetail.php3?S...3103&Page=#top) but the
price seems absolutely outrageous given that it pretty much just involves
three pieces of wood (two vertical, one horizontal). I'm feeling a little
adventurous and I might build it myself... I'm no building expert, but this
particular frame doesn't look like rocket science.

I was wondering if you guys had any tips for building structures like bed
frames. It will need to support the bed plus two bodies, so what would be
the best wood? Also, what would be the best way to attach the pieces
together? It seems like the most solid would be to place the vertical
pieces completely under the platform and drill through the platform
(versus placing the pieces attached to the front and back of the platform
either drilling through the vertical pieces or using triangle blocks
underneath).

Looks fairly simple. While you only see three pieces of wood, there is
probably two more under it to give support. They state it is a veneer. You
can use woods like poplar and apply veneer to them, or you can use solid
wood. I'd probably use a lower priced wood and laminate the high priced
wood to it to keep cost down.

You probably need in the range of 65 board feet of lumber. It looks like
about 1 1/2" thick. Under the mattress a sheet of 3/4" plywood would do,
supported by a couple cross members. I'd use solid wood for the sides. The
front and back supports can be solid wood or a laminate, again this will
save cost.

For joinery, I'd probably use a rabbet and the glue and screw the top to it.
Just a guess, you'd spend about $200 to $400 on material depending on what
woods you choose. A sheet of birch plywood is about $50, but cherry would
be about $100. This is where I buy much of my wood so you can check prices
for an estimate. http://www.cwghardwoodoutlet.com/products.htm

"axis" wrote in message
news:jcXBd.13465$3m6.1246@attbi_s51...
I really like this bed frame
(http://zoehome.com/ItemDetail.php3?S...3103&Page=#top) but the
price seems absolutely outrageous given that it pretty much just involves
three pieces of wood (two vertical, one horizontal). I'm feeling a little
adventurous and I might build it myself... I'm no building expert, but this
particular frame doesn't look like rocket science.


Or, you could compromise and buy something similar for a lot less,
e.g.,
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...ts=10103*10144
The store itself may have more similar beds in stock, or it
did the local one did last time I looked, which was a couple of months ago.

In article jcXBd.13465$3m6.1246@attbi_s51, axis wrote:
I really like this bed frame
(http://zoehome.com/ItemDetail.php3?S...3103&Page=#top) but the
price seems absolutely outrageous given that it pretty much just involves
three pieces of wood (two vertical, one horizontal). I'm feeling a little
adventurous and I might build it myself... I'm no building expert, but this
particular frame doesn't look like rocket science.

Those are likely to be "torsion box" contstruction. Note under options that
you have to specify a veneer - wenge or cherry. There are three "boxes" -
the front, the top and the bottom. Each of these will be similar to a hollow
core door. There are six pieces to each box PLUS internal bracing and then
each box has to be veneered with the wenge or cherry.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but that simple three piece unit is more
complicated than it looks. You also have to connect the boxes together in
a sturdy fashion. I'd use RTA connecting screws plus barrel nuts (probably).
You can get these from McFeely's ( http://www.mcfeelys.com ). I've never
tried to veneer things so don't know how difficult that will be.

For more/better information, ask in the "rec.woodworking" newsgroup instead
of alt.home.repair. Be warned that like fishing, auto mechanics and boating,
woodworking is addictive and you can always find a reason to spend huge amounts
of money on it.

I was wondering if you guys had any tips for building structures like bed
frames. It will need to support the bed plus two bodies, so what would be
the best wood? Also, what would be the best way to attach the pieces
together? It seems like the most solid would be to place the vertical pieces
completely under the platform and drill through the platform (versus placing
the pieces attached to the front and back of the platform either drilling
through the vertical pieces or using triangle blocks underneath).



--
"De inimico non loquaris sed cogites."

axis:

I really like this bed frame
(http://zoehome.com/ItemDetail.php3?S...3103&Page=#top)

My shins would hate me.
--
Mac Cool