Arts and Crafts Bed - Stickley Panel Bed

by John W. Nixon on May 17 2009 18:22

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Project Description

This project is a queen sized bed inspired by a Stickley Panel bed. I didn't have anything to go on other than the picture from the Stickley web site, and the overall dimensions. I set to work drawing up my own plans from these two bits of information.

The construction of the bed features through mortise and tenon joints connecting the horizontal rails to the posts. The headboard and the footboard have a frame and panel construction where vertical stiles contain the panels and connect the two horizontal stiles. The top horizontal stiles on the headboard and footboard have a broad inverted V shape that is characteristic of a number of Stickley pieces.

Update 5/30/09 - I am almost done with the first three videos for this series. I cover how to make the panels in part 1, how to make the horizontal rails in part 2, and how to make the vertical stiles and assemble the frame and panel section in part 3. If all goes well, all three parts should be released Sunday night (5/31/09)

Update 5/24/09 - Work on the bed is progressing nicely. I made the tenons on the horizontal rails using the crosscut sled and the bandsaw. The crosscut sled took care of the shoulder cuts, and the bandsaw cut off the cheeks. Overall, I'm please with this method, but I'd rather be using my tenon jig. The length of these piece prohibited the use of the tenon jig (too tall, they would hit the ceiling, and it would be a little akward).

Update 5/17/09 - Filming of this project is underway. I've posted some in progress shots below. Stay tuned, I hope to have the first video in the series out soon. Please post any questions or comments you have about this poject.

Tags: gallery, video

Project | Fine Woodworking

8/25/2010 8:26:04 PM

John W. Nixon

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Reply to comment from Tadd who wrote:
John,

What are the dimensions to your ledger boards? Those do not seem to be in the drawings.
...

Hi Tadd, I used 1-3/8 inch square stock for the ledger boards. You could probably make them taller or wider, depending on the type of slats you intend to use. I didn't want the box spring sticking up any farther than necessary, so I tried to keep the ledger boards shallow and the cross slats flush by using the dovetail socket.
John

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8/25/2010 7:28:52 PM

Tadd

John,

What are the dimensions to your ledger boards? Those do not seem to be in the drawings.

Tadd

6/24/2010 3:15:58 PM

Gary

John,

The bed is awesome. I already have a really nice bed for my wife and I, but someone gave me the idea of making my dog a bed. I think I may use your idea for this. What we do for those K-9s.

Your work is awesome, I have seen all your videos. I hope you plan on making more.

Gary

6/17/2010 4:53:25 PM

W. Kimball Englehart

Hi John,
Although I will be making my bed with spindles, I would like to thank you on ALL of your videos. The one on making the legs is a godsend and I have used your method several times. I am about to use it in a different fashion next.

I have a 42" front entry door that is in sad shape and is bad need of replacement. I thought long and hard about using "X brand" router bits but was afraid that, because it's a 42incher and the relatively small glue area, it would sag just like the one I have now. Along comes your video and the multi part stile with all of it's glue surface becomes my salvation.

Thanks again, Kimball

5/20/2010 1:15:57 PM

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2/4/2010 11:28:44 AM

Reply to comment from Steve who wrote:
I was wondering instead of gluing 2 boards together to make the final thickness for the panels in th...

Hi Steve,
Yes, you could deinitely use oak plywood instead of gluing the panels the way I did. I happen to have quite a bit of the panel material with the quartersawn oak veneer on the one side, so it's a good choice for something like this. Finding plywood with quartersawn grain is tough.
John

8/23/2009 9:36:00 AM

Steve

I was wondering instead of gluing 2 boards together to make the final thickness for the panels in the headboard, why can't you just buy 1/4" oak ply and use them instead.
I have heard that over time that the panels tend to shrink and squeak. Would this be correct?

I like this type of furniture and I thought about trying this on a simpler level. Using solid Oak Ply with framed beadboard(3 squares across) to give the english panel look. Using old barn 2x8's ripped in half and glued together to make the posts. Sort of the rustic look. Finish top and bottom with 3/4" x2" to trim top and bottom to cover Ply edges.
btw awesome site and great vids and plans. Even a novice like me can follow along.
EXCELLENT

7/31/2009 7:25:07 PM

Reply to comment from Richard G who wrote:
Hi John,

Finding the video couldn't have come at a better time. Within the next week I'll be buil...

Hi Richard,
I faced the same problem making the tenons in the manner in which I would normally.  I wanted to use my tablesaw's tenon jig, but the length of the rails would be too long to fit on the saw without hitting the ceiling.  Using the crosscut sled to cut the shoulders and then removing the cheeks on the bandsaw worked out really well.  A few weeks later I bought a new bandsaw, but my old clunker did all right.
The crosscut sled you see in the videos is a shop built sled.  There's a couple of videos and dimensions on the project page or the "Super Sled":
www.eaglelakewoodworking.com/.../...iter-Sled.aspx

Thanks for your comment.  Good luck with your bed!  The next videos in the series that show the support system are coming up soon (hopefully inside a week).
John

7/30/2009 7:24:33 PM

Richard G

Hi John,

Finding the video couldn't have come at a better time. Within the next week I'll be building a king version of this bed. I'd been searching the internet for some concrete help and I've found it.

My major concern is cutting the tenons for the top/bottom rails for the headboard and footboard. By my calculations the stock is approximately 74 inches long and their length presents a problem. I see you used a sled to cut the shoulders on the tenons. Is it commercial or homemade? I'd be interested in building/buying it.

Thanks for a great "how to guide"

7/17/2009 6:28:50 PM

Reply to comment from Tom Schmidt who wrote:
John

Are you (hopefully) planning to finish the videos for this bed? I'm very interested in maki...

For sure Tom. I've been working on the bed any chance I can get. I have the footage filmed for the next two videos and things are looking great. I think you'll be impressed with the support system - it's pretty neat. There's dovetailed cross-slats and adjustable center supports. I need to set aside some time and do the video editing. I should have the next couple of videos out in a week or so. Thanks for watching, and checking on me

7/17/2009 4:49:12 PM

Tom Schmidt

John

Are you (hopefully) planning to finish the videos for this bed? I'm very interested in making this, and would like to see the whole thing come together. What are your plans for this? Thanks.

6/16/2009 1:41:22 PM

Lou Stagner

John,

Really cool method for making the through mortise and tenon. Another outstanding video!!!

Lou

6/13/2009 6:00:22 AM

Tom Hunt

Very interesting technique for the legs. I used similar construction on my workbench, but my rails and legs were all plywood laminations, so the mortises fit the tenons without machining. I confess I'd never thought of using this method for hardwood joints, but now I can't wait to try it! And using the "scrap" for the third side veneer is simple and efficient. Good job. Also, your videos are very clear and instructional. Thanks.

6/13/2009 2:49:23 AM

Reply to comment from roberta who wrote:
..... but the inside of the post(the one directly facing the bed doesn't.) Will this be covered by the mattess? Or would it be advantageous to laminate this side too.
...

Hi Roberta, great question! I was hoping someone might ask this question. I thought about veneering both sides of the leg, but then decided it wasn't really necessary. If you picture the inside of the leg, there isn't all that much of it exposed - there's about an inch at the top, and about 8 inches or so near the floor (on the inside). I had a pretty good grain match on 3 out of the 4 legs, so it didn't seem like a big deal to leave it exposed in those areas. The frame and panel section completely covers the glue joint on the inside of the leg in the section it occupies, so that area wasn't a concern.
Thanks for watching the video and posting a comment - I appreciate it. Don't worry about offending me (it's hard to do) - I like it when people question my methods. We're all still learning, so questions like yours benefit everyone.
John

6/12/2009 9:10:02 PM

roberta

John,
   Really neat...... what a lot of work goes into making fine wood furniture..
It really gives me a knew outlook on paying the high prices these companies want for furniture.....  How nice it is you have made it possible to make these things on your own.  I love the bed, and the thru mortise trick!  But, that leaves me with one question?  the bed post front, back and one side have the solid wood look..... but the inside of the post(the one directly facing the bed doesn't.)  Will this be covered by the mattess?  Or would it be advantageous to laminate this side too.
          Great Videos series.... AS Usual!  Keep it up..... and don't be offended by my question, please.
thanks
roberta

6/6/2009 2:35:24 AM

John,

Great series so far! Looking forward to seeing the remaining videos!

Lou

5/24/2009 3:13:31 PM

Reply to comment from Dennis Cutbirth who wrote:
John,
Timing is everything. I am in the process of making a headboard for my daughters bed simila...

I'm glad you like the video Dennis! Good luck on your bed. It's great making stuff for your family - very satisfying.

5/24/2009 3:10:17 PM

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5/21/2009 10:39:41 AM

Dennis Cutbirth

John,
Timing is everything. I am in the process of making a headboard for my daughters bed similar to your plans, and you have saved me some time and effort. Thanks for all your video projects. I am very new to woodworking and really enjoy seeing your work and getting ideas from you. Keep them coming!

Arts and Crafts Bed - Stickley Panel Bed

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