Oak Panel bed, pics

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hello,

I just completed a double (full size) bed and thought I’d like to post it here. This design is a panel bed that was featured in a Taunton Press book on Beds and Bedroom Furniture.
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The bed is designed by John McAlevey and features a simple panel with an interesting 8 sided leg design (I modified John’s seven sided design for a balanced look).
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John McAlevey’s work was also featured in April 98 FWW, with a chest that I built, this bed and chest compliment each other. (http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot411.shtml
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The basic construction features motice and tenon, a pair of panels and simple bed rail hardware. The bed has a gentle 2” arch on the head board and a complimentary cove on the foot board.
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I began this bed about three weekends ago and completed it today, about 25 hours of shop time. I liked the simple joinery and look of the design. Here you can see the combination of the bed rail with the head board, note the tapered cut in the leg to gently accommodate the size of the bed rail.
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The bed materials are red oak with quarter sawn red oak used on the panels.
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The original plan in the book is for a queen size, I found that scaling it for a double sized bed was easy.

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Past experience has taught me to insert a dowel into the end of the bed rails for attaching the hardware, gives the screws something to bite into in the end grain application
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I will say that this is quite stable and heavy.

I will be using a box string and mattress in this bed, I will also use a few cross slats for support.
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The finish is two applied coats of Fruitwood Watco Danish oil, with three coats of a home made wipe on poly mix. The finish was then rubbed out and waxed. This is the same finish I applied to the blanket chest I built for her 4 years ago.
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This bed will be a guest bed for a few years till my daughter Dana out grows her first bed, then this will be hers. I can wait, they grow up way too fast.
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I have enjoyed this project, it gave a great basic design a nice look.
Thanks for viewing,


Take care,
Jim

[Tony Falotico]

BEAUTIFUL !! I like the simple lines and light finish that are complemented by your impeccable attention to detail.

Congratulations on a successful project!

[Martin Shupe]

Jim, you never cease to amaze me.

Nice work, as usual.

You remind me of a quote from one of my old prof's:

"Excellence is par, anything less is unacceptable"

[Joe Tonich]

Hello,

"I just completed a double (full size) bed and thought I’d like to post it here. This design is a panel bed that was featured in a Taunton Press book on Beds and Bedroom Furniture."

"Past experience has taught me to insert a dowel into the end of the bed rails for attaching the hardware, gives the screws something to bite into in the end grain application"

"This bed will be a guest bed for a few years till my daughter Dana out grows her first bed, then this will be hers. I can wait, they grow up way too fast."

Take care,
Jim

Jim,

Beautiful bed, Dana's gonna love it forever. :D

Wish I would have known about the "Dowel trick" before, Thats a great idea!

Unfortunately you're right, they DO grow up way too fast. :(

Joe

[Carl Eyman]

In fact, I can see she already does. Good work. I can't believe 25 hours. Carl

[Brad Schafer]

dude, that is some good stuff. like the posts, REALLY like the "curly" figuring on the big boards.

nice,


b

[Jim Becker]

REALLY like the "curly" figuring on the big boards.

Yea, those panels are outstanding on this wonderful project. I also like the complimentary sweeps of the top rails on the head- and foot-boards. Classic.

[Dave Anderson NH]

I can't believe that is Dana. I remember seeing her picture when you first brought her home. They sure grow up fast. I like the bed, but then most of John's stuff is pretty nice. Believe it or not, he was the first president of our guild before he moved from NH to ME.

[Bob Lasley]

Nice Jim, very nice,

I like everything about it.......the lines, the simple joinery, the eight sided posts and the way the plain sawn oak makes the quarter sawn panels stand out, but most of all, the superb craftsmanship.

Bob

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

Nice job, Jim. The bed looks almost as good as its future occupant She is a little doll, and I can't believe how much she has grown since you came back from China.

[John Miliunas]

Jim, we've come to expect nothing but the best craftsmanship from you, and you continue to meet our expectations! As others have said, beautiful form, wood choices and the execution, exquisite, as per your norm! Thanks for posting!

[Glenn Clabo]

The definition of pretty...Very pleasing by delicacy or grace. As you should be...you are very proud.

Oh ya...the bed is outstanding also. ;)

[Christian Aufreiter]

Very nice bed, I really like the design.
And the open air bedroom isn't bad either :rolleyes:

Regards,

Christian

[Daniel Rabinovitz]

Jim
Beautiful!
Very nice execution of a simple yet elegant design.
You can see the love.
Daniel :cool:

[Lee Schierer]

Excellent work, my friend. It's up to your usual standard. Great looking piece and it looks like a satisfied cutomer as well. Boy she is growing fast.

Lee

[Ted Shrader]

Jim -

Definitely a work of art (and love). Well done, my friend!

Ted

[Mark Mazzo]

Jim,

Outstanding job on that bed. Both the wood and the workmanship are great!

I am in the selection process of a bed plan for my son's room. I have an Art's & Crafts (Havrey Ellis) dresser plan but I'm looking for the right bed to go with it. This one looks like it might be a nice compliment to it.

Can you elaborate more on the design and the sizes of the various structural members (i.e. legs and long rails). I have a bunch of 4/4 quarter sawn White Oak for this project, but I'm not sure how much laminating I would need to do with the 4/4 to get the sizes needed for the bed. Also, I saw your note about use of the cross dowel, but how are the rails fastened to the headboard and footboard?

Again, beautiful job and a beautiful little girl, too.

-- Mark

[Tom Sweeney]

That is an exceptional bit of craftsmanship. Beautiful wood to compliment the wonderful design too. Your little girl looks like she's ready to upgrade to this one already :D

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Jim,

Outstanding job on that bed. Both the wood and the workmanship are great!

I am in the selection process of a bed plan for my son's room. I have an Art's & Crafts (Havrey Ellis) dresser plan but I'm looking for the right bed to go with it. This one looks like it might be a nice compliment to it.

Can you elaborate more on the design and the sizes of the various structural members (i.e. legs and long rails). I have a bunch of 4/4 quarter sawn White Oak for this project, but I'm not sure how much laminating I would need to do with the 4/4 to get the sizes needed for the bed. Also, I saw your note about use of the cross dowel, but how are the rails fastened to the headboard and footboard?

Again, beautiful job and a beautiful little girl, too.

-- Mark


Thank You,

The design called for bed rails that were 5/4 8 " by 75". The head board legs are about 42" tall and the inside measure between legs is 54 1/4". The head board rails are 2 at 6 " and one at 4". The footbaord legs are 28" tall, wit two 4" wide boards. The plane called for the rail thicknesses to be 7/8 but I worked with 3/4.

The panels are cut into the legs and the rails with a 3/8 wide dado set at 1/2 deep.

The legs were 3" by 1 3/4 thick.

Hope this helps,
take care,
Jim

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hi,

I am very humbled by your kind and thoughtful words, they mean a great deal, thank you all very much!

Take care,
Jim

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

Jim, I really can't add anything that hasn't already been said. As always, your work and description of the process is outstanding. I never tire of viewing your excellence, thanks so much for sharing your skill and knowledge. I think you have a very happy customer there...........she is a Doll! What a neat project! :)

[mike malone]

Hello,

I just completed a double (full size) bed and thought I’d like to post it here. This design is a panel bed that was featured in a Taunton Press

Jim
Bodacious, dude! Great workmanship!!!.
Now get it off the lawn quick,......don't you know it snows up there?
best
mike