Slat/Platform Queen Bed

[catta12]

Let me know what you think of my latest finished project. If I could change anything, it would be the lumber. I have to work with BORG oak, as that is about all I can get without driving all day. The bed was actually made to match the nightstands that you can see in the second picture. Maybe not fine woodworking, but LOML is happy with them and that was the goal.

This was an replacement for a waterbed (yes they still exist). It was made to fit a 14" pillow top mattress without a boxspring. There is a center support board with a leg in the middle. The slats are notched on the ends. There are cleats on the rails with dowels facing up to join the notches of the slats. I have slept on this for the last 2 weeks and would say it is as good as any other setup that I have slept on (LOML agrees). I was not sure how comfortable it would be with the slat setup, but I would now do it again without a second thought.

[MilDoc]

Now THAT is truly beautiful! Good job!

[jackellis]

Looks like a pretty nice piece of work.

[radhak]

Lovely piece, and it is fine woodworking, no question about it! Love the raised panels with their matching grain. Is that inlay on there?

And it matches the side-tables to a T. No wonder she's happy. Awesome job!

I have been using a platform bed with no box-spring for many years (bought, not made ) and would not trade it for anything. It's the one sure thing for anybody susceptible to back-aches.

[cabinetman]

I have slept on this for the last 2 weeks and would say it is as good as any other setup that I have slept on (LOML agrees).

Very well done and nice looking. Good proportions. But wouldn't it be more comfortable with a mattress?
.

[bigstick509]

[leehljp]

That is nice work! Great!

[Pappy]

Beautiful work and an excellent match to the nightstands!

[JimD]

Looks great! We used to use a mattress and box springs but my current bed is a queen size (of oak) with a platform. The plans I used had the rails down low so I made a solid platform of plywood that raises the mattress to where it belongs. It makes the bed quite firm and I like it a lot.

I used an arrangement like yours on my daughters double bed but without the center support. It is not quite as firm and she likes it. We have a guest bed in the basement bedroom that is a double with a solid platform. When we were moving, I slept on this for several months and found it very comforable.

I will probably never own another box spring. I do not see what purpose they serve except to wear out mattresses.

Jim

[BerniePA]

Beautiful -- really looks great!!

[lrogers]

Excellent work. The diamonds in the foot board are a REALLY nice touch.

[catta12]

Is that inlay on there?

The diamonds are routed in with a plunge router. I cut a template out that I attached to the panels with double sided tape and just followed that. I then painted the grooves black and then sanded off the over spray.

One thing nice about this type of bed is that it is fully adjustable. If it is not firm enough you can add wider slats or if it is not soft enough you can take slats out or use thinner ones. I used 3" plywood slats with 1.5" space between them and a 2x4 down the middle with a support leg in the middle. An article in FWW suggests 4" slats with 1" gap from maple or poplar, but I think that may be a little more firm than I am looking for.

Oh, and yes it is more comfortable with a mattress

[radhak]

Great, did you follow any outside plan or did you make your own?

Taking a second look, am interested in what joins you used (M&T?), and how are the legs built - laminated or 'angles'?

[SARGE..g-47]

Extremely well done, Alan. Nice job on the frame and panels and you were wise to use a center slat support from front to rear.

Keep on building...

[catta12]

Great, did you follow any outside plan or did you make your own?

Taking a second look, am interested in what joins you used (M&T?), and how are the legs built - laminated or 'angles'?

I browsed the internet for ideas and then used Sketchup to draft my own.

Here is the top detail for the corners via sketchup:


I also used space balls (not the movie ) in the panel construction to make sure they have room to move but stayed solid. This was my first attempt at raised panels, but I think they came out well.