Making A Modern Bed with Traditional Joinery

I made the bed mostly from solid ash hardwood that I bought rough sawn. The rough lumber needs to be cut and planed down to make the smooth parts used to make the bed, starting with the rails.
The panels of the headboard and footboard are joined to the legs with sliding dovetails. The dovetails mechanically hold the joint together, while also allowing the panels to expand and contract with seasonal moisture changes.
I used traditional joinery rather than metal hardware to put the bed together. The rails have tenons on each end that goes through the legs, and a walnut wedge locks the parts together.
The slats that support the mattress are 1/2" thick and 4" wide strips of solid hickory and these rest on cleats fastened to the rails. I cut spacer blocks to fit between each slat to keep them separated.
The bowties were added to the headboard as a decorative element.
I used water-based polyurethane to finish the wood, spraying on three coats with a light sanding between coats.
This bed was designed to match the night tables I made a few months ago:
• Modern Design Night Ta...
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[@JohnHeisz]

I made the bed mostly from solid ash hardwood that I bought rough sawn. The rough lumber needs to be cut and planed down to make the smooth parts used to make the bed, starting with the rails. The panels of the headboard and footboard are joined to the legs with sliding dovetails. The dovetails mechanically hold the joint together, while also allowing the panels to expand and contract with seasonal moisture changes. I used traditional joinery rather than metal hardware to put the bed together. The rails have tenons on each end that goes through the legs, and a walnut wedge locks the parts together. The slats that support the mattress are 1/2" thick and 4" wide strips of solid hickory and these rest on cleats fastened to the rails. I cut spacer blocks to fit between each slat to keep them separated. The bowties were added to the headboard as a decorative element. I used water-based polyurethane to finish the wood, spraying on three coats with a light sanding between coats. This bed was designed to match the night tables I made a few months ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqqTmY2qnZWUeck

[@nirgosh]

Great video. Build videos are the best. Voice over would be nice too.

[@nur_alam332]

Saya fans anda.saya juga pengarajin kayu tapi dengan segala keterbatasan alat.di Indonesia alat alat mahal tidak sebanding dengan harga jual hasil karya

[@peggyt1243]

John - that bed is strong enough for Hagrid.

[@smithjaan247]

Price?

[@bisonbomber500]

Are you selling the plans?

[@bluebearbank247]

I am sure I am just one of thousands to say this but don't we all appreciate no click bait thumb nail, no intro, no sponsor talk, and straight to the point video? Everything about his video is perfect and so soothing... very informational and honest video which is extremely rare nowadays. I am actually over joyed finding this channel. John, Thank you.

[@musamor75]

Couldn't agree more, and believe you me, I've watched several hundred to say the least. Some of the Japanese videos are superb as well. But this John is simply great. I love his workshop- EVERY machine is rebuilt entirely in wood by his good self. He is something of a wood genius. Great channel- no fuss, no mess, no ads.

[@timexironman1]

I would like to hear him talk and explain things instead of listening to machines running

[@gumbyboy15]

A little commentary on what he is doing and why would certainly make it better.

[@Msquynhtram]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

It's so cool to see you using all those tools and tables and jigs you've made over the years. And working so well!

[@nickkropat8857]

Beautiful. Looks so good next to the night stands you made before. The sliding dovetail construction is a great idea that I am going to borrow. Love it!

[@barry.w.christie]

There is still nothing better than watching a well made joint going together ... and the final result, simply stunning!

[@erikoldin9433]

Wow. I really appreciate this one. The craftsmanship, the design and the editing. Great job!

[@drglobule8a]

Very elegant. The curves give lightness to what would have been a heavy-looking frame. And the walnut wedges and butterflies are a great touch.

[@markhedquist9597]

Awesome. Just awesome bedroom set. The bed works perfectly with the side tables. Almost like you planned it that way. I really love the style here. Quite subtle, yet very beautiful details. Very nice. Very nice.

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

You're amazing John. I'm so thankful that you share your process and creations and ideas with the world.

[@btparker08]

That ash grain looks great. I like the simple router jigs to make those sliding dovetails. Simple jigs to make complex cuts and joinery.

[@aucomint]

I really like the way this bed looks like. Maybe a source of inspiration for a further project. You did a very good job John. Thank you so much for sharing the whole process.

[@ApteryxRex]

Excellent video John. Great to see so many of your shop tool & projects being used to make the bed frame.

[@pg-mtl8815]

That headboard is never coming apart! Love the use of traditional joinery instead of metal hardware. My challenge would be in getting the sliding dovetail centered it the posts, with matching pieces... Love the relief cuts on the ts before routing. Brilliant.

[@audidoo480]

I think I might actually be in love with those self made long clamps, even them are a thing of beauty 💯

[@MJKCreations]

This is the sort of work I aspire to be doing sometime soon. Thank you for showing us!

[@louisfkoorts5590]

John! Still doing the great stuff, after all these years. Beautiful... Thank you. 🖐🏻

[@bewoproductions9097]

7,952 ideas, tips and tricks packed in one 11 minute video! It’s like reading 17,348 woodworking periodicals in 11:19 minutes.

[@mbmurphy777]

There’s a lot of nice bed designs on KZbin but this is definitely one of my favorites! Really nice work

[@ripa220]

What a gorgeous bed. John, you never cease to impress. Thank you much for the inspiration and technique.

[@sapelesteve]

Very impressive work John! Love the looks and the joinery that you used. I would call that an heirloom piece! 👍👍👏👏

[@musamor75]

Verrrrry nice bed project. Simple, clean lines, traditional joinery, nice light woods, clean lines of design. Simply a lot of great ingredients to make a lovely lasting project. Mr Heisz must have a very happy wife! I love the workshop; the way it exudes wood from start to finish. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and ideas. This is a great channel indeed. God bless. Greetings from France.

[@nonameHEF]

Nice to see a build video again. Thank you very much.

[@refactorear]

That was beautiful. No narration, just ambiental sound. It almost looked like a tribute to Ishitani Furniture. Bravo!

[@benjaqsonworkshop9974]

Such a beautifully designed and built bed. Fascinating how such fine, intricate joinery can be made to look so simple. Thank you for sharing this.

[@sc0or]

Nice, very nice. It have to modulate a solid positive mood.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Beautiful bed John, amazing work! 😍👍🏻👊🏻

[@evans_workshop]

Beautiful work John. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@edwardchester1]

Loved the trick of using the step drill to widen the hole for the spade bit. Very smart.

[@jbb5470]

Outstanding craftsmanship John! Your attention to detail and creativity is un-matched. The small details that you have included set this project on another level, just beautiful all round! Thank you for sharing!!

[@danthefrst]

So simple yet quite beautiful. Humble but with noticable precense. Damnit John the more you do and the more i watch your output the more it is noticable that your design talent is getting more and more exquisite.

[@eduardkhaimov9927]

Beautiful hand crafted traditional bed. Great work

[@johnwhitley2898]

Very elegant bed frame, right along with the night stands!

[@simonr6793]

Fantastic job with the bed build John and its great to see you making something 👍

[@KipdoesStuff]

I have been waiting for this build for months, not disappointed. Great work as always John.

[@andymoody8363]

What a crafstman, beautiful to watch. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@mypony891]

Thank you for the wonderful presentation, especially without the techno music. You did a fantastic job and I learned a couple of new ways of making the jointery

[@shmiggz]

Amazing job John!

[@ConwayT91]

This turned out amazing, an heirloom piece

[@voqk]

So many great tips and tricks in this video that can be used in any project. But also, what a great looking island!

[@tworiversworkshop6111]

What a lovely job you made of the bed. Great to see a mix of hand tools and power tools. Excellent video.

[@Vikingwerk]

Beautiful craftsmanship, and I love the video without music, just peaceful shop noises!

[@charleswilson9930]

All that can be said is Beautiful John!

[@rthamilton5s]

John, I love the bed! Love the video showing how you made it; how you utilize the handmade tools you created to build it. Very well done!

[@kurshinburshin9784]

Let the woodworking speak for itself. Simply complex. Very cool

[@maitajack]

Gorgeous

[@brianwarner7523]

That is one of the best looking designs I've ever seen. The quality of work is excellent, but that elegant simplicity of the design style is next level.

[@brianboomer4830]

Awesome as always! Thank you for doing what you do!

[@capemaster123]

Amazing work John!

[@patmash]

Next level stuff here. Looks sturdy, durable and beautiful John.

[@echoewest2685]

This was especially useful because you used sacrificial snipe boards with the dewalt planer. If you can’t beat that then it’s a sure bet mere mortals like me can’t. Thanks for sharing!

[@greglamphier4430]

Love your work John. Your an inspiration, appreciate what you do 👌🏼

[@paulgeier7324]

these are the kind of videos you make that make you a great maker thank you from a guy that has sawed board before

[@onlineda1]

Beautiful looking bed and I love the construction techniques.

[@vmoutsop]

What a nice project. Always a pleasure to see a master at work!

[@turner5643]

The shop vac funnel to the custom lid trash can. Subbed 45 seconds in.

[@AquaPeet]

Wow, that came out beautiful! Love the details.

[@GamertoGigachad]

I would love to learn how to woodwork with this level of attention to detail and craftsmanship. I get so frustrated when I cut something wrong, there's chip-out when routing, wood is warped, etc. Lumber is so expensive these days and I feel like I can't afford to make mistakes and it's so discouraging in my small shop without a planer or jointer (or knowledge for that matter) to mill my own boards. Incredible build, much respect to the amount of patience a project like this takes. Subscribed.

[@animemaniac2]

Beautiful

[@mahtay2000]

Mesmerising. What an artisan

[@negotiableaffections]

Beautiful. I learnt a lot watching you make the relief cuts on the tablesaw before routing out the dovetail slot - couldn't have expected the dovetail bit to hog out that much by itself, nice work. Oh, and sleep tight John.

[@financialplanningsolutions]

I really liked that sliding dovetail technique of using the table saw first to not kill the router bit (our yourself!)

[@HAZO_crob]

Really nice! Love to see the joinery.

[@enduser7790]

I know I don't always take the time to comment on your videos, but your work is always beautiful. This bed is no exception. Thank you for sharing your craft.

[@jimanddeb]

Beautiful work John. I'm never disappointed by your content.

[@scientist1200]

I wasn't sure about the bowties, but then after seeing the bed put together, I really did like them.

[@micklatham3425]

What a beautiful bed.i make beds for a living, so I know what I'm talking about. That bed will last for generations, and will always look good.no matter how much styles will change in the future. You should be proud of yourself. Great work 👏

[@hsjawanda]

Lovely!

[@vbertrand]

A work of art!

[@TheCapt]

Nicely done. The design is timeless and the execution is brilliant.

[@rickschroth9869]

Absolutely loved this one .. great work … and make more !!

[@dougggiereid]

Absolutely beautiful bed. Great skills making that. Live it!

[@tomlagatol4448]

I like the bed design and enjoyed the vid….I always enjoy a good “trad build”, thanks.

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Stunning build John. And perfect editing thanks

[@ImConstantlyDrunk]

I love your style of no nonsense carpentry.

[@donaldmumaw]

It's beautiful 👍 Thanks for the video!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks! :)

[@EngineNo9x]

Amazing!

[@andyboxish4436]

Beautiful and elegant as always, John.

[@russterman1]

Really great work John, more like this please.

[@naturaIIydifferent]

Damn. That's just incredible. Gorgeous.

[@varoescal]

Beautiful work!!! I really enjoyed watching it!

[@markduggan3451]

Absolutely stunning.

[@TheHuizenre]

A true Masterpiece!!!!

[@PrimalEdge]

this was the PERFECT video for a quiet Sunday afternoon... great job & awesome build!

[@MasterpieceWoodworks-z4k]

So beautiful

[@lindamcd1217]

Perfection 😮 in awe

[@troyharlow24]

Really enjoyed this on Mr. Heisz

[@antonchabatta4686]

WOW - was a Pleasure to see it all !! 💕😍

[@jennifera1028]

Very cool. I love it.

[@daviddickmeyer5231]

A really nice little trick using the cut off to prevent snipe when you’re planning!

[@JoshWrightWoodworking]

Bed looks great, I like the way you made the angled wedges at the tablesaw, I hadn't seen that before

[@mojota6938]

Beautiful. Nice job, John.

[@brentgravois7955]

your workmanship is amazing

[@perryingto]

Absolutely beautiful. Truly enjoy your craftsmanship and videos

[@TigerCarpenter]

what a masterpiece! I'm so happy to see you finally made something from the solid wood, and with the sliding dovetails + wedges joinery. I never use plywood, even if it would be never to be seen carcass, I am "allergic" to plywood furniture with edge banding and so on. I couldn't sleep on a bed, thinking there was MDF or melamine board or particle board in it.

[@obieewon]

Bed frame an side table's are amazing 👏

[@GregsGarage]

I love the joinery John! The sliding dovetails got me right in the feels!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@thesir8028]

Absolutely beautiful! Well done 👏

[@DanCarlyon1]

I always learn something watching your channel John, Thanks!

[@olliehibbert5152]

Great design and execution! Thanks for the video.

[@Thomisshilbay]

Awesome 👍