Materials, Hemlock, Fir, White Pine

First attempt at a bed. Learning project for using hand tools.

Bedposts were hewn from 4x4's using broad hatchet and block plane.

Mortises dug with brace-and-bit, mortising chisels. Saw cuts by hand. Slats are left over from an old futon sofa.

While not terribly pretty, it is relatively lightweight and sturdy.

Finished with tung oil.

The key to making the frame easily come apart, yet sturdy when assembled, is the tusk tenons (or “keyed tenons”) used to attach the bed rails.  For information on how to make tusk tenons, see this article.