I am interested in constructing beds using the European system of flexible beech slats. Typically, a number of these slats are “doubled up” and the tension or “give” of the bed is adjusted by sliding retaining rings towards and way from the centre of a number of slats.
While the concept is easy enough to understand, there would appear to be several pieces of “hardware” required to make the project viable.
Has anyone contstruted a bed using this system? Does anyone know of source(s) for the hardware?
Michael
Replies
Michael,
I think you are talking about a platform bed. I made one out of 2x12 for the frame. Used 3/4" plywood instead of the slats. Found idea in a few books a BN and looked a platform beds at a local swedish furniture store. It is quite a beefy and sturdy. The head and foot are MT and pinned with Miller Dowels. Laminated 3 2x's for each leg. The rails have knock down MT, drilled in for carriage bolt. Used an old panel door out of a bank for headboard. Can send you pictures if you would like to see it.
Eric
Eric, thanks for the response.
I think that the design in which I am interested is a little different.
In my preferred option, the (typically, 34) beechwood slats have been pre-formed to have with a slight arch. The slats are usually fitted in flexible synthetic pockets which are fitted onto the side frame with locating pins. The 10 or 15 slats around the middle of the bed are supplemented with an additional (but shorter) slat which are secured to their pairs with a pair of thick flexible synthetic sleeves. This allows you to adjust the 'give' in the base by moving the sleeves in/out from the centre. The side view of each of these slat-pairs looks a bit like an axle spring from a car or trailer.
Each half of the bed base (queen or king) has a support runing the length of the bed. This means that each sleeper can have the bed adjusted to suit individual weights and firmnes preferences. The mattresses used are usually a pair of latex mattresses enclosed in a single pocket which gives the appearance of a single mattress. The latex also usually comes in about 2 or 3 levels of density.
So - what I'm really looking for is the hardware for the inner part of the bed - the slats and mounts and tension adjusting sleeves. I'm happy to purchase that stuff as I am mostly concerned with making the bed frame and headboard myself. These will be a jarrah and rock maple combination to blend with a bedroom suite which is being planned.
Thanks
Michael
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