A question for the collective.  I am fixin' to finally start my bed project that's been promised to Mother for the last few years.  One hangup I have are the rails.  The plans call for 1 1/4" x 4" stock.  I have a very nice collection of rough 3/4 to 4 quarter width walnut stock that I was thinking of splitting, folding in half to match the grain and then gluing up to make the rails.  

 

My question is; will this be strong enough to bear the weight?  With the rough stock on hand, I have enough to build the bed for little to no cost which is good, as I really don't want to try and buy 6 quarter walnut right now.

 

Many thanks for your thoughts.

 

Will

A lt of bed rails I have seen, use a 3/4 to  4/4 thick main rail, with another 3/4 to 4/4 cleat running along the bottom edge of the rail.   Cleats are usually square in cross section, and glued AND screwed in place.  Cleats can match the rail's wood, or be a good hardwood like oak.    The cleats hold the battens that are under the box springs.   That is where all the weight goes. 

 

I think that you could just dress down the fancy wood to get it smooth, then fashion the cleats out of a good hardwood.   Glued on, then add screws every 6" or so.    Should be ok.

If you glued two 3/4" boards together then it would be plenty strong. The lamination increases the strength.

Will.,

I  built a set of bunk bed (for kids) and used 3/4" red oak for the bed rails. Glued two pieces together for each rail so the final thickness was 1.5". the width was 5.5". Plenty strong enough for any adult.The cleats were 2" wide, 3/4" thick glued and screwed to the rails. I made the cleats and battens from poplar to keep the cost down. I set the battens in individual slots to prevent them from moving when the kids played and horsed around.

 

Hope this helps

Will.,

I  built a set of bunk bed (for kids) and used 3/4" red oak for the bed rails. Glued two pieces together for each rail so the final thickness was 1.5". the width was 5.5". Plenty strong enough for any adult.The cleats were 2" wide, 3/4" thick glued and screwed to the rails. I made the cleats and battens from poplar to keep the cost down. I set the battens in individual slots to prevent them from moving when the kids played and horsed around.

 

Hope this helps

Just to add to this, we have a store bought bunk-bed set our two girls have been using for over 10 years, the rails are 3/4" by 4", no issues here. the wood is clear pine, no knots. There have been plenty of wrestle matches on those ol beds.

Right now I'm building a loft for my grandson out of poplar.  The rails are 3/4" X 8" X 80" and are plenty strong.  I'll make the slat rail 1" X 1 1/2" probably.

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate the feedback.  Now I just have to get started!  

 

Will