Steam bending walnut

Air-dried walnut is an ideal choice for steam bending.  Pieces up to 3/4 inch thick can be formed into parts with a 6 inch radius.  This property allowed a wood bed design with curves and forms that are usually restricted to metal construction. The available sizes of mattresses creates the only constrain to creating a unique bed design.

Queen size bed

A Queen size bed requires a 66 inches outside dimension of the posts so that a 61 inches space between the two rails can hold the box spring. The bottom of the box spring is held 6 inches above the floor level. The crested headboard peaks 50 inches above floor level required steam bending an 8 inch radius transition from the vertical post to horizontal head board. The bed posts are formed from a lamination of 5 slats 1/2″ thick and 2 1/4″ wide.  Two slats form the top arch and two slats from the bottom arch for each post.  The fifth slat acts as a spacer between the top and bottom arch and it runs from the transition point to the floor.  After intersecting the arches at the “keystone” block, a 3/8″ thick slat is added increases the top arch thickness and cover the keystone block’s intersection point.  Steam bending pieces of different radii are used to infill between the arches and spaces between the post.

Head board dimensions

The single arch foot board peaks 24 inches above the floor level. A simplified in-fill arch pattern compliments the single arched design.

The design can be flexed to construction frames for King, California King, Double, and single beds; however, the visual appearance will vary slightly to accommodate the different bed widths and steam bending constrains of the lumber.  This design may be made in oak.  Use of mahogany or cherry will include possible glue lines of thinner laminated pieces that are required for steam bending the small radii.

Finish

Drying oil sanding sealer with top coat of waterborne polyurethane

Read more

Please contact me at findoutmore@wccwood.com to discuss the creation of your steam bent bed. You can find out more details about the bed design evolution and the steaming process Walnut bed formed by steam bending.