My first project... the Simple Bed

[Mark Whitsitt]

Here are pictures of my first woodworking project since junior high shop class 32 years ago, and also my first project using the Kreg pocket hole jig...

This is a bed built for my 2 year old son's new "Big Boy Bed" at my wife's request. This was built with dimensional lumber from plans found at "Knock Off Wood", a blog that seeks to provide plans that "knock off" far more expensive furniture from high-end retailers. Here's the link to the plans I modified to make this bed: http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/2009/11/plans-how-to-add-arch-to-s...

The first modification I made was joining the head and footboards to the bed posts with pocket holes & screws.

Next, I designed a (imho) more attractive head and footboard cap, the original simply called for a 2x4. Instead, I used two 1x6's, one ripped and crosscut shorter than the other, both half chamfered on the edges, and laminated together before joining to the head and footboards with Kreg pocket holes and screws.

Finally, the original plans called for simply screwing the bed rails to the posts. For the sake of being able to actually move this bed into my 2 yo son's room, I used 4" Rockler Heavy Duty Wrought Steel Bed Rail Fasteners (item number... to connect the bed rails to the posts. This was a great learning experience in using my brand new router, building a template, using template bushings, chisels, shims, etc. One suggestion on this one is to use much longer screws than those that come with the fasteners. Another is to make sure your chisels are excruciatingly SHARP!!!

After assembly, my wife sanded and finished the project wonderfully. She used 2 coats of Benjamin Moore IronClad Latex Low Lustre Metal & Wood Enamel in Tudor Brown. We absolutely love Benjamin Moore paint; it's a bit more expensive, but it covers wonderfully and you end up using less paint per coat. Also, don't get too impatient as this dries to a nice enamel finish, but it takes a couple of days to set up properly.I figure this isn't too bad for a first project...

Cheers!

[Jens Jensen]

You chose a very good bed rail post connector.I hav eused them in past on various beds

[ashley hemming]

Wow! That's your first?! I started with bird houses. AMAZING BED!!!

[Karen Nardella]

Hey nice job you did. And Ana's site, Knock Off Wood rocks too.

[Kerry Drake]

If that's your FIRST project, then LOOK OUT! Great things are sure to be in the pipeline.

[Larry Barnett]

amen to that.

[David Roberts]

the knockoff wood website is cool. although i just got a bunch of good ideas for projects. the bed looks great.

[Mark Whitsitt]

Larry, I've got a Work Sharp WS2000 and the knife sharpening accessory. they're really nice ... the little man said the bed was "puufet" and mom already has a long list of projects for me... nice to be able to do this with the full support of the wife! *grin*

[wallace freeman]

Great job Mark. I think half of the fun is being able to show the items off and get some recognition for the efforts.. Well done and and thanks for the link. Wallace

[dj]

I really like this BBB project. You did a wonderful job. I know about keeping chisels sharp. I picked up last year the "work sharp sharpener" and I highly recommend it. It sharpens chisels, knifes and other working tools easily without water.

[Larry Barnett]

I also bet mom can talk dad into building a nite stand,bookshelf,toybox, or even a dresser.
the kock off site gave me some more project ideals. So many projects to build and so little money and time.