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Where to find woodworking plans for MCM(ish) furniture?  

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dorieg
(@dorieg)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 52
16/06/2009 9:45 pm  

I would like to try and build a bed like this: http://www.lofgrens.com/Bedrooms/Beds/UnionBed.html

Does anyone know where I might find some woodworking plans for something like this? Most woodworking suppliers and plans I have seen carry alot of mission, colonial, country styles.

I have seen woodworking discussed here before so I thought this might be a place to start.


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whitespike
(@whitespike)
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Posts: 3499
16/06/2009 10:03 pm  

There's a book out that has...
There's a book out that has some cool stuff in it. I can't remember if it had a bed .... good ideas in there though.
http://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Modern-Mid-Century-Inspired-Projects/dp/0...


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NULL NULL
(@teapotd0meyahoo-com)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 4318
16/06/2009 10:05 pm  

eBay
There are plans listed occasionally, including one by Norman Cherner. I'm not sure how good the others one are though.


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SDR
 SDR
(@sdr)
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Posts: 6462
17/06/2009 2:56 am  

As a
woodworker/furniture-maker, I am happy to tell you that the linked bed is almost too easy to make. I can write out the "recipe" here and now.
Ingredients:
1 (one) steel bed frame set, like the one linked below. Note that there is a vertical flange with screw-holes at both ends of the frame rails. Adjust to accept your mattress.
2 (two) plywood panels, upholstered. Choose the heights for head and foot boards that pleases you; the width is related to the width of the adjusted bed frame, perhaps four inches wider overall than the flange placement. The panels will be padded and upholstered, the headboard on one side and the footboard on both sides. An un-upholstered area will be provided where the flanges and the wood legs will be attached to the plywood. The flange attachment points can have plywood or solid wood pads screwed and glued in place, to double the thickness for screwing on the bedrail flanges.
4 (four) legs of your choice. Wood legs are available, ready to finish, from many sources -- or you can make your own. The legs will carry the weight of the corners of the bed; they would ideally have a flat side to mate with the plywood. They can be glued and screwed to the plywood, just inboard of the rail flange attachment pads mentioned above. (If the legs are attached before upholstery, they can be screwed through the plywood from the outside of the bed -- a good idea, but not absolutely necessary.)
Recipe: gather the above ingredients, and assemble as suggested. Yield: one bed. Sleep well !
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A68QMC/ref=asc_df_B001A68QMC824550?smid=A2G...


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NULL NULL
(@singlecellgmail-com)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 14
17/06/2009 3:19 am  

most period appropriate book...
most period appropriate book imho is:
"How to Build Modern Furniture" by Mario DalFabbro
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eversion/sets/88566/


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dorieg
(@dorieg)
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Posts: 52
17/06/2009 7:29 am  

You people are awesome!
Thank you for all of your input. SDR, I didn't think it would be difficult to build, I just couldn't "see it" in my head and needed a reference. The period plans are awesome. I plan on picking up the Oldham book from the library, and want to pursue some Cherner plywood chairs for the kiddos.
This is too much fun. I wish I had more time to tinker.
Many, many thanks. You have given me so many ideas, I have a better idea of where to search for future projects.


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SDR
 SDR
(@sdr)
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17/06/2009 7:33 am  

Good pick !
The period illustration is wonderful, as well.
You could build this bed from what can be seen on the page. However, the author omits to mention or list the tricky part: finding and installing the "bedrail fastener" hardware, made in Germany and requiring some tricky milling to install. A substitute would be a pair of angle brackets, or an angle iron, at each inside corner.
If the wood side rail is not important, visually -- or would be hidden by a bedspread -- then the easier approach is mine, above, I believe.
Of course, the bed in the book could be made with upholstered head and/or foot -- but I like the all-wood bed look, myself. This matter is independent of the other factors discussed above.


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SDR
 SDR
(@sdr)
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17/06/2009 7:33 am  

.
.


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dorieg
(@dorieg)
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17/06/2009 9:08 am  

SDR, yes I think your design is easier
and sturdier for someone with limited experience to build. I would hate to see the thing collapse. Would you be so kind as to direct me on some sources for the legs? Most of the tapered legs I have seen are not quite right.
Now to learn a little more about upholstery. I think I can do this for well less than $1200. And, I have the satisfaction of knowing I did it myself.


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SDR
 SDR
(@sdr)
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17/06/2009 10:10 am  

The one
on the far right of the group illustration on this page, looks like a good candidate to me. . .
http://www.tablelegs.com/Square-Tapered-Legs-Columns.aspx


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NULL NULL
(@singlecellgmail-com)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 14
17/06/2009 11:58 pm  

p35 detail
while this isn't particularly illuminating, here's the p35 detail from the DalFabbro bed plan for the sake of completeness:


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SDR
 SDR
(@sdr)
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Posts: 6462
18/06/2009 2:06 am  

Thanks,
singlecell. Those are such good illustrations, of the kind seldom seen in books or magazines, these days.
Optional solutions to any problem are always gratefully received. Most persons accustomed to using mechanic's and woodworking tools will recognize which of the above demountable connection methods will be most suitable to them. Each one requires a different combination of tools and supplies. . .


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NULL NULL
(@singlecellgmail-com)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 14
18/06/2009 5:03 am  

you're welcome.
hope the plans help the OP or whomever needs them.
would definitely recommend finding a copy of the book, if not just to browse the illustrations..
here are a few more examples from the book:


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HPau
 HPau
(@hpau)
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Posts: 2534
18/06/2009 5:59 am  

.
You should try looking in second hand bookshops and the shelves in thrift stores for this sort of thing too. I've picked quite a few over the years, usually they have titles like 'modern furniture you can build!' or 'furniture for the home hanyman' or something like that. Most of the work is pretty second rate but occasionaly there is a good piece.
If you see something you like in a vintage shop go in with a tape measure and a camera, ask first and explain that you just want to do a one off, and they should be pretty accomodating.
Without things like plywood presses, tube benders and routers though you are pretty limited in scope but nothing can really stop you making webbed Rinsom-esque chairs with a few small equipment purchases.
Good luck!


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