MacPherson's Bed-box looks like a standard blanket box from the outside.
This Box-bed was created and designed by Robert MacPherson to fit a rather strange niche.
Medieval re-enactor MacPherson designed this knockdown bed to be used during his extended trips to Pennsic, an annual event that gathers more than 10,000 re-enactors and medieval enthusiasts for two weeks of life in the Middle Ages. It is typical for campers at the event to construct elaborate campsites, knockdown beds and furniture that are easy transport.
The majority of the project is made of select pine; the panels are birch plywood. The finish is semi-gloss polyurethane.
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The lock and most of the hinges were hand made out of necessity, as the dimensions MacPherson needed were unavailable. He used 16 gauge steel to form each piece, applying a blue-grey oxide finish with a torch and finishing with polyurethane to prevent corrosion.
“I did use screws to make things easier on myself,” MacPherson admits. While the use of threaded fasteners wasn’t feasible until the late 15th century, he “never intended this to be a pure project. Broadly speaking, this bed-box is to medieval as steampunk is to Victorian.”
According to MacPherson, the most difficult and rewarding part of the build was ensuring that all of the unfolding, interlocking, and movable pieces worked in conjunction. “I have pages of notes, sketches, and a 1/6 scale model,” exclaims MacPherson. “Most of them represent dead ends, but it’s all part and parcel to a prototype.”
MacPherson’s work resulted in a stowable unit that weighs about 100 pounds and can be brought to a medieval camping event, equipped with a futon mattress and unfolded to become a full-sized bed fit for medieval royalty.
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MacPherson's Bed-box looks like a standard blanket box from the outside.
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As the lid folds back, the inner workings of the box are exposed.
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Pulling the handles from the box frees the front face and allows the bed rails to unfold and extend.
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The dovetailed slats and central support add rigidity to the support the mattress.
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The Box-bed was made to accept a lightweight, portable futon mattress.
Comments
That's awesome, would you provide plans for download/purchase?
This is a truly amazing work of art, engineering and craftsmanship! I, too would love to purchase plans. Congratulations on your elegant design.
Brilliant. There are some interesting articles on Campaign furniture out there, but this takes the concept to a whole new level. You lost me on the hand made hardware...whew.Really cool.
This would be a great alternative to a Murphy bed in a spare room.
I would like to see construction details in a feature project.
Holy crap, that's awesome!
I´m ready to tackle something like this, it´s a most creative project. Would you consider sharing it on a magazine article? This is the kind of stuff we love to see at FWM
That is definitely awesome! The alternative to a Murphy bed came to mind as well. Though my wife would be more likely to come camping more frequently if this was our sleeping arrangements.
Another request for plans / full article of construction.
Congrats.
I've seen this bed elsewhere on the web and am pleased to see it show up here. I too would love to see it as a FWW project. I'm guessing that we would need a supplier for the hardware though if that were to happen.
FW Editors:
Remarkable work. Please get this in FW or online in detail and soon.
another vote for an article with plans I'd be willing to purchase. Makes more sense than a Murphy bed for my situation. Better than abide a bed or futon as well.
You should file a patent!
Fantastic. Beautifully done. I would make this just for the sake of it. Well thought out. FWW MUST publish this!
Awesome project! I'm assuming the slats and middle divider don't stow in the box?
Also how do those side flaps on the headboard lock?
Ingenious! Let's have an article if possible or at least some rough plans.
Very awesome bed. There are a lot more pictures at this link. http://www.viralnova.com/not-a-box/ Beautifully thought out project.
Would lo e detalles planas for this project
Another vote to publish a detailed article either in the magazine or online and to make detailed plans available. I'd gladly pay for the plans for this work of art! My wife wants one NOW!
Very Cool, plans would be great. Thank for showing us your bed in a box.
Yes! Another vote to publish a detailed article either in the magazine or online and to make detailed plans available.
I also vote to publish that project, it is amazing and I´ll apreciate to build it here in Brazil.
Very neat the locking with the dovetail slats that are stowed in the closed box. Couldn't be any stronger! Nice job !!
Thank you everyone who shared their interest in this amazing piece of ingenuity.
To answer Mikes8500: Every part, excluding the mattress stows in the box or is part of it.
Unfortunately, Mr. MacPherson is not looking to sell plans or furnish us here at Fine Woodworking with them, but he states that anyone wishing to recreate or re-engineer this bed may do so.
That is such a cool project. I just about have a set of plans ready to go, I have all of the math worked out so everything will fit back in the box excluding a mattress. I'll post a message when it is ready to go.
Bruce (3dwoodworkingplans.com)
Hi Everyone
As promised I have finished the plan for the Bed-In-A-Box. it is available at: http://3dwoodworkingplans.com/bed-in-a-box-098/
I have setup an additional discount code just for followers of Fine Woodworking Enter FWWREADERS at checkout to recieve an additional 20% off the already low price. I would love to see and post pictures on the website for anyone that builds the Bed-In-A-Box.
Happy Holidays and all the best for 2014.
Bruce (Wood Chuck)
You will have to copy and paste the link as I can't post a hyperlink in this comment section.
Am I seeing correctly that the carrying handles on the ends of the box must be removed in order to unfold the unit? No matter, its still very cool.
First, Bruce, great design and construction. Love it.
Second, Scadians in my area have gotten a look at your work and now joiners like me are expected to be just as clever and make more stuff like this. You should feel bad about that.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go and be clever. I'll be needing more coffee.
@james. Thanks the plan was fun to draw. I have added several more medieval pieces now, There is a the original king size bed, a double, and 2 versions of a single bed. Plus I have added a folding table, stool and chair. Should be some fun woodworking!
cool idea where are the plans
Are the plans for this bed available at all? Tried a few of the links but non of them were valid.
Hi All
Just an update o the Bed-in-a-Box plans. There are now plans available for most bed sizes. The California king (original), 2 versions of the queen size, a double or standard size and 2 models of single beds. In addition I have added several other pieces of knock-down style furniture which are great for the medieval camping excursion. 3D Woodworking Plans dot com. (I can't add an actual URL or it will be marked as spam). There are no spaces in the actual web address,
Cheers
Bruce (Wood Chuck)
I agree that it looks much better than a Murphy bed. How much time does it take to prepare the whole ordeal? thank you for the plans, definitely checking them out later
So, did anyone build this?
Does anyone actually have the plans for this? I'd love to make with with the right things like it shows in the article...
I would like to see the prints for this and others they look great for camping and when the kids and grandkids come over thanks
Great looking project. I just bought the plans for the Queen in a box but one of the files is in .skp format. It's gonna cost another $5 to get an app to open it. Can you do this in Word? Thanks for any help you can give.
@TomtheObuse. If you purchased the Sketchup file you only require the FREE version of Sketchup to open any >skp file. The free downloads are available at Sketchup.com/downloads.
Note to everyone: The 20% discount offered to Fine Woodworker readers which has been offered for over two years and will be discontinued at the end of Sept. 2015. Thank you to all of those that purchased the plans.
Bruce
3D Woodworking Plans
I tried going to the site, but it isn't up anymore...would really like these plans for our lake house
If you don't go into production with this you are missing the opportunity of a lifetime!!! I want one too!
I too would like to purchase plans when/if they become available. I can picture this in my home right now!!! Awesome!
Awesome! You could SO sell the plans successfully!...I would purchase a set.
Really cool idea and execution. At first I though you added "amazing" just to attract more attention, but when I opened your project I was amazed. Great work.
Bed in a Box Plans for most bed sizes are available at 3dwoodworkingplans dot com
Bruce
better yet-sell them ready made for those of us who aren't too handy.
Love it!!!!
Great idea. I almost bit the bait too. But has anyone realized that you still need to put the mattress somewhere when you are storing this bed? Unpractical. Just saying...
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