Parts and Tools

The bed I made is constructed of clear vertical grain Western Hemlock. At my previous job, this material was available for purchase. For the general public, clear vertical grain can be an expensive and difficult to find in the sizes specified below. The cost of the wood necessary could easily be the most expensive part of this project.

Using common 2 x 6’s is certainly the cheapest way to build this bed. Obtaining board of the correct dimensions should cost under $30. Based on a queen bed (which is what I made) you will need the headboard (4’) and footboard (3’) the bedrails (6’ 7”) and the horizontal runners (5’ ¼”) These boards are actually 1-3/8 x 5-3/8, I sanded mine to 1” (due to one of my mistakes) We will assume you will be using either 1-3/8” or 13/16” (also commonly available at hardware stores) Between the two of these, the 1-3/8, is obviously the sturdier of the two. For my second sleighbed, I have chosen 4 quarter oversized boards. This measure at 1-1/16" which is exactly where I would like it to be

Materials:

40 lineal feet 2 x 6 dimensional

2 pieces ¾ x ¾ Angle Iron approximately 6’ 6”

1 set Bed Rail Hardware(available at Rockler.com)

30 pieces 1 x 4 these will become the panels(you could use 1 x 6)

13 lineal feet 1-3/8” and 1-1/2” Dowel

1 piece 4’ x 4’ ¼” hardboard

Tools:

Table Saw Ripping panel stock

Router Table Machining panel stock

Router Machining templates/head and foot boards

Miter Saw Trimming strips, squaring end and bed rails

Jig Saw Machining head and foot boards

½” Chisel Mortising for bed rail hardware

Drill Drilling/attaching bed rails/dowel

½” Plug Cutter Filling holes to hide screws

½” Drill Bit Machining for head/foot boards rails

Sander Use various grits until you reach the desired finish

¾” Pipe Clamp Make this a few inches longer than the bed’s width

Wood Glue More will used than you imagine

Staple Gun Helps maintain tight curves

Router Bits:

½” long straight cutting bit with top bearing(template bit)

3/8” straight cutting bit with template guide(for a 5/8 bushing)

1/8” flute bit (available from Lee Valley/Rockler)

1/8” bead bit (available from Lee Valley/Rockler)

¾” straight cutting bit

(Picture from the Lee Valley Website)