ngabriel Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 I'm working a frame for twin-size bed (39"x75") and I picked up some fasteners for the rails (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10&Max=999). I now find myself wondering how to go about routing the mortises on the ends of the rails. Their length (75") is obviously what presents me with the challenge. I'm reminded of one of Marc's early videos on Mortise & Tenons (http://thewoodwhisperer.com/episode-10-tenons-anyone-pt2/), about 7.5 mins in when he's standing on table with the router about his head (funny stuff). Unfortunately, I don't see myself going out and buying a Festool Domino for this project (and obviously I'd like the rails to be detachable). Anyone have any advice to share? Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Crawford Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 It seems to me that if you put the female part in the posts, since it will require the deeper mortice, that can be easily done with a router using a bushing and a jig. The male part in the rail would require only a shallow mortice easily cut, if somewhat awkward in position, with chisels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kep1019 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I did mine with a laminate trimmer, drill for the rivets and chisels. the mortise for the rail side is not very deep at all, for the recieving side I put the bed post on my mortiser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngabriel Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Looks like some chiseling is the way to go here. I suppose even I should be able to handle that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenMinshall Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 I rough cut the mortises in the end of the bed rails using a 1/8" straight cut bit in a Dremel, then trimmed them up using a chisel. I was less-than-impressed with the quality of the Rockler bed rail fastener. The ones I got were sloppily manufactured, not square and the goldish colored coating on the metal was flaking off. The tabs on the male side of the fastener are not welded to the bracket, instead they are just stamped or crimped in and could conceivably come loose. I realize they are an unseen element in the bed, but overall not a quality product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngabriel Posted October 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Very cool, thanks for the tip. I do have a Dremel so this might work, but I don't have a way to control the depth of the cut. I'll think about it though. I actually got my fasteners from Woodcraft, they are made by WoodRiver. I'm not sure if they are any better/worse than the ones Rockler sells. I just posted that link as an example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMadson Custom Wood Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Most beds I've seen are made with bed bolts http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=12&filter=Bed%20bolts Just a simple mortise and tenon joint with a through bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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