Bed rail fastener -- recommendation?

I've used the mortised kind...love'em. Given though you're thinking
about using ply for the rails, I would lean more toward the non-mortise
type. The screws holding the hooks on the mortised type wouldn't hold
well in ply.

Good luck...

Darwin

Fine Woodworking magazine had an excellent article about bed making
discusing all of the most comon joints and pretty much everything you
need to consider for a bed design regarding structure.

You really should look it up, it was well worth the read.

BW

I'm (slowly) working on a bed also, and planning to use the
mortise-type fastener. The plans I have suggest putting a dowel up
through the rail, so the screw holding the fastener to the rail has
something to 'bite' into. Otherwise, you'd be screwing into end
grain, which we all know isn't as strong. I agree that (even with a
dowell) plywood wouldn't be as strong in terms of holding the fastener
hardware.
Good luck,
Andy

Well, it's not that I can't... it's more of an issue with working with
solid wood... just don't have all the necessary equipment...

But maybe I'll rethink things...

Thanks!

[email protected] wrote:
>
> Hi all -
>
> Thinking about building a simple bed frame and was wondering if there
> was a preference when it came to the fasteners (mortise or
> non-mortise).
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3981
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3269
>
> Also, I was thinking about making the rails out of plywood (2 3/4"
> joined together) if only because access to real wood is difficult...
> any opinions on that?
>
> Thanks!

I favor the mortise w/ pin and hook myself.

I don't think that's a real good use for plywood myself.

I don't like the mortise hardware from woodcraft. It tens to want to
pull through the plate after a while. I had to weld the male part
together so the pins wouldn't pull out. I much prefer castiron
hardware.
http://www.furnitureknowledge.com/bed_hardware.htm

[email protected] wrote:
> Hi all -
>
> Thinking about building a simple bed frame and was wondering if there
> was a preference when it came to the fasteners (mortise or
> non-mortise).
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3981
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3269
>
> Also, I was thinking about making the rails out of plywood (2 3/4"
> joined together) if only because access to real wood is difficult...
> any opinions on that?
>
> Thanks!
>
One more thought. I built a bed out of doug fir and used (IIRC) tubasix
lumber for the rails. Worked very nicely.
j4

[email protected] wrote in news:1125333199.528091.37110
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> Hi all -
>
> Thinking about building a simple bed frame and was wondering if there
> was a preference when it came to the fasteners (mortise or
> non-mortise).
<snip>
> Also, I was thinking about making the rails out of plywood (2 3/4"
> joined together) if only because access to real wood is difficult...
> any opinions on that?
>

I'd reconsider the plywood idea for the rails. Even if you have to mail
order the solid wood, I would think it will be structurally more sound.
Maple, ash, oak, birch all would be good candidates.

Where are you that you can get sheet goods, but no solid stock?

Patriarch

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all -
>
> Thinking about building a simple bed frame and was wondering if there
> was a preference when it came to the fasteners (mortise or
> non-mortise).
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3981
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3269
>
> Also, I was thinking about making the rails out of plywood (2 3/4"
> joined together) if only because access to real wood is difficult...
> any opinions on that?
>
> Thanks!

mortise and tennon using bed bolts is the best solution .pine or similar
boards from the nearest lumberyard for the rails ...

[email protected] wrote:
> Hi all -
>
> Thinking about building a simple bed frame and was wondering if there
> was a preference when it came to the fasteners (mortise or
> non-mortise).
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3981
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3269
>
> Also, I was thinking about making the rails out of plywood (2 3/4"
> joined together) if only because access to real wood is difficult...
> any opinions on that?
>
> Thanks!
>
Having built a bed or two in the past, I would recommend the mortise
type. Much stronger. And that's important unless you're not very active.
mahalo,
jo4hn

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all -
>
> Thinking about building a simple bed frame and was wondering if there
> was a preference when it came to the fasteners (mortise or
> non-mortise).
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3981
>
> http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3269
>
> Also, I was thinking about making the rails out of plywood (2 3/4"
> joined together) if only because access to real wood is difficult...
> any opinions on that?
>
> Thanks!
>