Toddler Bed

[Black wallnut]

My own design. 2"x6" pine T&G flooring was used for the whole thing. T&G ripped off then all parts cut from there. This is the project that convinced me that I needed a better way to cut mortises. Bed rails are located with two 3/8" dowels each end and attached with 3/8" slotted head machine screws flat washers and nuts. Finish is Minwax Red Oak stain applied after a pre-stain conditioner. Two coats of wipe on poly, followed by 3 coats of brush on gloss poly.







The middle pic is closest to the true color; the other two the flash did not go off. I only put a raised rail on one side as the other side will always be along a wall. Once Thomas get so he does not need the rail to keep him from falling out of bed it will be a simple job just to make a new rail. The top rail is not attached to the head board but has two locating dowels just like the lower rails. The bottom will be 1/2" ply wood held by just a 1/2" x 1/2" rabbet. This is sized to use his crib mattress. I figure he will be in this for two to three years then he'll move into a bunk bed.

[shoottx]

As a big Three year old I am sure he is proud of his new bed!

Very Very Cool

[chopnhack]

Ah! Very cool design. I am sure he will enjoy his new bed.

[leehljp]

That is a nice design and very functional. I made a similar designed bed for use with the baby mattress for our youngest some years ago, but it was not mortised like that. Yours looks MUCH better than mine did.

[drillman88]

The bed turned out nice.
It looks plenty sturdy enough for a rambunctious 3 year old.I am sure he will put it to the test.Mine always did.

[Pappy]

Nice work, Mark, and a good, sturdy design for a boy's bed.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Very nice design, Mark, and I like the stain - I used the same for the furnishings in my boys' room.

[JR]

Nicely done, Mark! I hear you on the need for "a better way to cut mortises". That's one task that requires way too much patience to cut by hand.

JR

[DUD]

I like it, You done good. Bill

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Mark did an excellent job on the bed. But maybe I am biased on the work he does. I can't wait to get it into the bedroom and get him using it. My mother got him a new bedspread for his birthday, it has Thomas the Train on it.

[Popeye]

Very nice job Mark. Pat

[lrogers]

The little one is going to be very pleased with his "big boy bed".

[Tom Miller]

Nice! Did you happen onto a good deal on the T&G wood, or is this a good economical way to get clear 2x stock? (I have a long-standing request in for a loft bed.)

Regards,
Tom

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[Black wallnut]

Nice! Did you happen onto a good deal on the T&G wood, or is this a good economical way to get clear 2x stock? (I have a long-standing request in for a loft bed.)

Regards,
Tom

90 cents a lin. foot. This is really good stock. tight knots, all straight, no cupping or crooking. I've not penciled it out as if it is less than 4/4 for thinner pieces but it seems about the only way to buy 8/4 pine in my area without special order. The 1" by stock available is all planed to 5/8" these days and quality is real hit and mostly miss as it is all construction #2 grade. That is a problem when all the lumber yards depend on the building trade to stay open. I have more options when I drive ~2 hours or farther. The closest box store is 43 miles away and they don't have much better prices on lumber anyway.