How to make Day Bed | Video by Keith

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Video made by Keith Published on 09/10/2016, viewed by 3537 , 10 Comments

A twin bed that we modelled after some commercial examples and added some design elements to accommodate some personal requirements for modularity.

What you will need

5/4x6x8 Select Pine (2)

5/4x4x8 Select Pine (5)

1x8x8 Select Pine (1)

1x6x8 Select Pine (5)

1x3x8 Common Pine (15)

4x8 Plywood Sheet [B/C] (1)

#8x1.25 Wood Screws

How to do this project

rame. I used a blind dovetail with the pins cut on the sides so the ends were solid. The joint will ultimately be hidden in the final assembly.

Using 1x6x41 for the ends and 5/4x6x77 for the sides, build a box for the frame. I used a blind dovetail with the pins cut on the sides so the ends were solid. The joint will ultimately be hidden in the final assembly.

lue and screw into the outer frame. This will provide support for the plywood which makes the platform.

Using the 1x3x8 build a lattice frame to inset into the frame in step 1. Glue and screw into the outer frame. This will provide support for the plywood which makes the platform.

Cut the plywood to size and glue to lattice. Should be flush with the exterior frame edge.

Cut the arms and leg fronts from 5/4x4. Need 2 arms at 43" each and 4 legs at 38" each. Make 1/2" finger joints to join them but do not glue up yet.

. Cut a 5.5 wide by 1.5" deep notch in them to accept the bed frame. (Note: Ignore the dovetails in the photo... not necessary using these instructions.)

Cut 5/4x4x37 and 1x4x37 and laminate together. Do this 4x for the leg backs. Cut a 5.5 wide by 1.5" deep notch in them to accept the bed frame. (Note: Ignore the dovetails in the photo... not necessary using these instructions.)

are flush w the base of the finger joints so that they will meet the bottom of the arms when the finger joints are connected. Trim any excess from the bottom to ensure bottoms are flush and grooves are uniform height from bottom.

Laminate the leg fronts and backs together. Be sure the tops of the backs are flush w the base of the finger joints so that they will meet the bottom of the arms when the finger joints are connected. Trim any excess from the bottom to ensure bottoms are flush and grooves are uniform height from bottom.

Top rail should be flush with the underside of the arm when assembled. Middle rail should be half way between top rail and bed frame notch. I used a 3/8" mortise that was 1/2" deep. Cut 1x6 (4) to length and make matching tenons on the ends.

Cut 5 in mortises on the back of the legs to accept the top and side rails. Top rail should be flush with the underside of the arm when assembled. Middle rail should be half way between top rail and bed frame notch. I used a 3/8" mortise that was 1/2" deep. Cut 1x6 (4) to length and make matching tenons on the ends.

d. Measure the distance from the top of the arm to the bottom of the top rail (about 6 5/8" for me). Rip the 1x8 to this width to make the top back rail. Measure the length between the arms and add 2" for tenons and cut the 1x8 and a 1x6 (back middle rail) to length.

Dry fit the entire assembly so the final length for the back can be measured. Measure the distance from the top of the arm to the bottom of the top rail (about 6 5/8" for me). Rip the 1x8 to this width to make the top back rail. Measure the length between the arms and add 2" for tenons and cut the 1x8 and a 1x6 (back middle rail) to length.

Cut mortises in the legs for the back rails and make matching tenons on the boards cut in the previous step.

Sand all parts and dry fit entire assembly.

Stain parts then do final assembly (glue up) and poly.

Comments

Rafael Sanches

11/07/2016 ☰

Amazing job Keith! Thanks for sharing such a complete and beautiful project. Do you use any tool to do those joints? I've got the incra routing table and need to learn.

Show all 4 comments

Rafael Sanches

Amazing work! Please share more with us.

Rafael Sanches

I even bought that leigh router system, but it's so big and cumbersome that I never used. I should return, but it's over a year already.

Keith Barlow

I just used the what I'll call the pin trick for the finger joints. A pin and a key of the size of the finger. It worked but took patience and practice. I definitely need more robust versions. Am trying to figure a way to make a nice adjustable model.

Keith Barlow

11/07/2016 ☰

Thanks! All joints were done with homemade jigs... the finger joints cut on a table sled and the mortises cut with a router. I built my router table as well!