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614 Posts
Hi All,
I always enjoy the browsing the build threads so I thought it was time to give back a little bit. Plus, I finally downloaded all the pictures from the camera:laughing:.
My daughter is getting a little older and wanted a new bed and she got real excited about a bunk bed. We didn't want to waste the space on the bottom on a bed that wouldn't be used so I came up with a loft design. I got the basic idea from ana white website, but changed the dimensions, to hit a toddler mattress, and joinery. The website called for pocket screws but mortise and tenons seemed like a better choice.
The wood choice was pretty easy. Poplar is by and far the cheapest lumber around here. This was my first trip to a real lumber yard. Started the project with about 50 bf. It would probably have been enough but I made a couple mis-cuts :thumbdown: towards the end and ended up buying a couple boards from lowes.
![Picnic table Table Furniture Wood Bench]()
All the boards were crosscut to rough lengths with a hand saw and ripped on the table saw.
The mortises were made with the plunge router and guide fence. It was the first time make these joints. They turned out okay. I think a better, more precise, guide would greatly enhance the routers function.
![Workbench Toolroom Tool Machine tool Table]()
I made a total of 24 mortise for the bed. Unfortunately the plans only called for 22. :laughing:. Some tenon cut-offs and glue fixed up the mistake.
The tenons were cut on a table saw with a dado blade. The setup of the dado took the longest time, about 2 hours. It was a cheap dado set from home depot. While they got the job done I don't think I would recommend the set.
![Tile Wall Wood Floor Flooring]()
The short sides of the tenon were cut with a dove tail saw. To match the round mortise end a rasp was used to round over the tenons.
![Table Wood Floor Roof Hardwood]()
This is the first real mortise tenon joint I've ever made. Turned out okay. :shifty:
One thing that didn't turn out good on all the joints, was the shoulder alignment. Hand sawing the short cheeks created some uneven shoulders. It took a lot of work to fix the uneven shoulders. A few of them even needed filer. :no:.
I always enjoy the browsing the build threads so I thought it was time to give back a little bit. Plus, I finally downloaded all the pictures from the camera:laughing:.
My daughter is getting a little older and wanted a new bed and she got real excited about a bunk bed. We didn't want to waste the space on the bottom on a bed that wouldn't be used so I came up with a loft design. I got the basic idea from ana white website, but changed the dimensions, to hit a toddler mattress, and joinery. The website called for pocket screws but mortise and tenons seemed like a better choice.
The wood choice was pretty easy. Poplar is by and far the cheapest lumber around here. This was my first trip to a real lumber yard. Started the project with about 50 bf. It would probably have been enough but I made a couple mis-cuts :thumbdown: towards the end and ended up buying a couple boards from lowes.
All the boards were crosscut to rough lengths with a hand saw and ripped on the table saw.
The mortises were made with the plunge router and guide fence. It was the first time make these joints. They turned out okay. I think a better, more precise, guide would greatly enhance the routers function.
I made a total of 24 mortise for the bed. Unfortunately the plans only called for 22. :laughing:. Some tenon cut-offs and glue fixed up the mistake.
The tenons were cut on a table saw with a dado blade. The setup of the dado took the longest time, about 2 hours. It was a cheap dado set from home depot. While they got the job done I don't think I would recommend the set.
The short sides of the tenon were cut with a dove tail saw. To match the round mortise end a rasp was used to round over the tenons.
This is the first real mortise tenon joint I've ever made. Turned out okay. :shifty:
One thing that didn't turn out good on all the joints, was the shoulder alignment. Hand sawing the short cheeks created some uneven shoulders. It took a lot of work to fix the uneven shoulders. A few of them even needed filer. :no:.
