First time with a router

[Roger465]

That looks like a mortise and tenon joint and I have to admit that I'd got the (wrong) impression that you needed to cut a long groove

Heh - don't think my explanations have been terribly helpful

Now I know what it us you are trying to do I reckon I know how your man made it - he like as not used a square chisel mortiser (or even chopped it out by hand). Frankly, the best way to get something like that cut is to find a local joinery shop - the sort of place that makes replacement wooden windows or repairs sash windows - and ask them to chop out the mortises for you (you'd need to mark out for them, first, though).

That's a deeply appealing option... but I'm determined to have a go. Probably expensive lunacy, but... I just bought a cheap 2nd hand router (½") off eBay for next to nothing, so I'll play around with it on some scrap wood when it arrives. Maybe all I'll discover is that it can't be done this way, but it won't be a terribly expensive lesson.

you are better off using bolts and cross dowels, maybe use a glued tenon joint for the head and foot board, then use bed bolts and cross dowels for the the side rails

Yes, somebody's already suggested that above... it would certainly be a lot easier! But I'm determined to try the hard way

 

[Deleted member 174758]

What make and model of router did you get in the end?

 

[Roger465]

What make and model of router did you get in the end?

Cheapest I could find on eBay - a "Performance Power 1020R".

Probably totally crap, but it only cost me £23 (£13 of which was delivery to NI), and it should at least teach me something... even if it's just "Get a better router"

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Let's hope it doesn't teach you "should have worn more PPE".

 

[big-all]

1000w is just a very heavy 1/4 inch router that will do very very light 1/2" work
you really need to learn with a light 1/4 router as the spinning blade should scare the poop out off you initially, if it doesn't you probably wont give it enough respect
what you are attempting is level 2 or three not beginner really ??

 

[Deleted member 174758]

...it should at least teach me something... even if it's just "Get a better router"

Let's hope it doesn't teach you "should have worn more PPE".

It might well do - 1020 watts isn't anywhere near enough, and in any case it's a 1/4in router:

Although it seems to have a 60mm depth of cut (although I am dubious about that, too)

TBH it's a bit undersize and I think I'd be reluctant to put anything bigger than about a 12 or 13mm diameter cutter on that. This cut is going to take some time to do.

BTW, does it have any form of guide bush with it?

 

[Roger465]

Well, looks like I've jumped into this without enough understanding - what's new - but I still want to try and gain some experience. At least the financial exposure is very small.

So what I'd like to try, if you'll help me, is cut a simple slot, 32mm wide or so, in a scrap 3 x 3 bit of wood.

I take the comments about this model being inadequate etc - must have been misdescribed on eBay, as it definitely said ½" - but, given I have all the time in the world, are we talking impossible, or just difficult?

If it's possible, and I'm assuming making more than one pass to make the slot, what sort of bit would I need to get?

And how do you start to cut a slot with one of these things? I can see how you'd do an edge with it, but a slot...?

Thanks

 

[Roger465]

BTW, does it have any form of guide bush with it?

Umm... sorry, don't know

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If you have a guide bush there is a way to cut repeat, identical slots using a straight cutter and a guide bush which is safer than using a single side fence. When I'm back on my laptop I'll post some stuff which explains all

 

[bsr]

@Roger465 why don't you use bed bolts? That way you won't have bolt heads or dowels visible from the outside of the bed.

Half Moon Luna Connector Bed Cot For Bed M8 FI 35 MM With Insert Nut And Washer | eBay

Half Moon Connector Bed Cot Bolt For Bed ver. M8 FI 35 MM. ONE SET CONSISTS OF: THREADED ROD M8 x 80MM, INSERT NUT M8 x 17MM, HALF MOON WASHER, M8 NUT. Half Moon connector for beds, ver. M8 is designed for bed assembly.

www.ebay.co.uk

I would use two bed bolts and two 10mm dowels per joint.

The other common option if you want easy disassembly is to use bed connectors:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007A...n_i_3H2RR690RXC8MBZ88E18?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Roger465]

@Roger465The other common option if you want easy disassembly is to use bed connectors:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007A...n_i_3H2RR690RXC8MBZ88E18?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Oh that looks like an idea... didn't know those existed

Hhmmm... will give that some thought... I'd still have to build the two ends of the bed though, wouldn't I? Maybe I'm wrong, but it just doesn't feel like a good idea to have those holding the ends together, as well as locating the sides... what do you think?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I've made-up and assembled massive shop displays and pub bars which were held together dry with only dowels and kitchen worktop bolts, which are quite similar and work in the same way. You've never lived until you assemble a 7 metre long, 4-piece bar top on the floor that way then lifted it into position (gingerly, I have to admit) without it coming to pieces. I have to say that were I making a new bed for myself I'd probably assemble the end panels with Dominos, dowels or biscuits but bolt to the rails. It's how our current bed is made

Actually, it would be a way to use your router, too

 

[Roger465]

Dominos, dowels or biscuits

Actually, it would be a way to use your router, too

Sorry, what are dominos and biscuits? And use the router for what?

- Embarrassed of NI

{edit} sorry, lazy of me - I've Googled biscuits and dominos.

I need to sit down with a nice cup of tea

 

[Roger465]

OK... after much deliberation, I've decided to take a pile of advice from all the suggestions above, as it's clear my ideas of how to do this were somewhat half-baked. Just out of interest, I decided to do the obvious thing, and look for "make a pine bed" on YT... came up with this excellent video of a guy using the techniques you guys have outlined above.

Watch this space... like the Terminator (with whom I have a great deal in common when it comes to DIY), I'll be back...

PS anybody want to buy a top quality router, perfect for any woodworking project whatsoever, never raced or rallied, £100 ono

 

[big-all]

Remember get the mattress first
if you dont believe me do a search for a mattress off a specific size or type