Shopsmith Forums

I am pretty sure dlbristol is talking about connecting the rails to the stiles(posts) for the head board and foot board only. Since he has plans for the bed he is making, again, I'm pretty sure it shows a "breakdown" system of removing the bed rails from the head and foot.

A note to dlbristol - since you are going to be making a Mission stile bed - have you given thought as to how the vertical slats will be joined into the head and foot boards? This is assuming you will be having slats something like the ones shown in this link. http://www.woodprojects.com/fd-726.htm

There are Mission style beds that have panels rather than slats, but the stiles of the panel construction also have to be joined to the rails.

Anyway, while you are thinking bout how to connect (join) the posts, also plan (give thought) to the connection joints of the slats or panels. You may also be able to do these with dowels. However if your plans show making a groove and fillers between slats - this is a favored method. You will need several clamps for this method.

This discussion takes me back to a headboard I made in pre-Shopsmith days. I cut individual mortises for the vertical slats in the top and bottom rails, then glued them in putting the top rail on last. I wouldn't do this again on a bet!!

Well, I am never sorry I ask a question on this forum! You guys figured out what plan I was using from my tortured descriptions of one joint. This set of plans comes with no specific instructions. They say study the plans until you know them and then plan your work. The thinking is if you problem solve, then you can always build. ( might be a bit optimistic in my case, but I like a challenge) . The vertical slats are still " in the thought progress" They are 1/2 in thick, so I don't think dowels are a good option. I have mortise chisels, so I can do them that way. I have done that on a rocking chair and aligning them on two boards was not easy. I have also seen the groove and filler method and it seems promising on the repeatability issue. My original question was about the head an foot boards. I am using the hardware on the side rails from Rockler. This plan has a 3/4 in dowel placed vertically in the side rail to provide a more solid place for the hardware screws. Totally new idea for me. #2 Daughter will probably move around as a missionary Doctor, so it has to be portable. Thanks guys!!!