Project by Mick | posted 03-04-2008 04:36 PM | 4563 views | 0 times favorited | 11 comments | ![]() |
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This is a twin size log bed made from Eastern White Cedar. The headboard and footboard upright posts are 5”-6” diameter, the spindle are 3” dia. and the rest of the rails and crossmembers are 4” dia.. 2” x 2” Tenon and mortise as well as pocket hole joinery was used thoughout. I added a strip of felt to each tenon to tighten the fit and prevent any squeaking. There are also 5” lag bolts in the ends of each side rail and mattress/box spring support cross member to stiffen everything. So there are basically 5 pieces : footboard, headboard, mattress support and 2 side rails. Some of the logs did some heavy duty checking and I initally had them all turned away from the front. When I did the final assemble I just let them face wherever the logs fit the best. To me they lend character to the bed. I did through-peg and glue a couple of the major checks to prevent any additional widening.
The bears were chainsaw carved then smoothed with a Dremel sander. The stone in the headboard is flagstone quarried near here in eastern PA. The drawings (done by my son, the real artist here!) on the stone are supposed to give the impression of a cave painting that was cut from a larger piece. It has a poly finish to protect the colored charcoal drawings. The entire bed will get a poly finish once it’s warm enough to open the shop and spray it on. I have several pieces that’ll get sprayed once it finally does get warm (man it’s been a long winter!). In the meantime there is an initial coat of sealer on everything – that’s why it looks a bit dull.
I named it the “Guardians” (I name everything I make) because if somebody buys this for their young son/grandson I wanted it to give him a feeling of security with the bears protecting him while he sleeps.
Thanks for looking and I welcome any suggestions to improve it.
-- The name is "Splinter"... I'm the son-of-a-son-of-a-carpenter
11 comments so far
CharlieM1958
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16292 posts in 5673 days
#1 posted 03-04-2008 04:43 PM
Nice bed! The drawings really do remind me of the famous cave paintings in France.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Scott Bryan
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#2 posted 03-04-2008 05:13 PM
Mick,
This is a very unique bed. Obviously it is very strong and well made. The carving gives is unique detail but the drawings, as Charlie says, strongly resemble the Neanderthal painting in the caves at Vallon-Pont-d’Arc.
Very unusual and unique piece plus your son is a gifted artist.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
joey
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#3 posted 03-04-2008 05:32 PM
very cool piece.
-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/
Mario
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#4 posted 03-04-2008 06:35 PM
very nice
thank you for posting
-- Hope Never fails
Scott Hildenbrand
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#5 posted 03-04-2008 06:45 PM
That’s pretty slick.. Nice work. Really like the use of flagstone in the headboard. Good combination of materials.
GaryK
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#6 posted 03-04-2008 06:45 PM
Very nice. Cool carvings!
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
cajunpen
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#7 posted 03-04-2008 11:15 PM
Wow – that one is a keeper. I really like the rustic look in furniture. Should be around for many years to come.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Josh
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#8 posted 03-04-2008 11:30 PM
very nice. were do you get the logs for something like that?
Mick
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#9 posted 03-04-2008 11:33 PM
The cedar logs are actually shipped in (by the truckload) from Michigan. I also locally harvest standing dead pine and some green pine that I let ‘season’.
-- The name is "Splinter"... I'm the son-of-a-son-of-a-carpenter
Thos. Angle
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#10 posted 03-05-2008 01:05 AM
Unique and worthy of comment. Well done.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
teenagewoodworker
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#11 posted 03-05-2008 03:47 AM
wow. the whole construction gives it a sort of cozy and log cabin-ish look. i would love to have a bed like that. it also has a rustic feel. great idea and it came together great too.
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