Low Pencil Post Bed Project
QUICK LINKS: Epic Store • Online Courses and Plans
This solid cherry, twin size bed, is perfect for a kid’s room or guest room. The bed’s understated, but elegant Shaker design, solid wood and traditional joinery construction ensures not only its formidability, but also it’s appeal from generation to generation. Imagine your son, daughter, nephew, niece, grand daughter or son resting on a bed every night that you created with your own hands… what a beautiful reminder of your care for their well being!
With the companion Course you will have Tom to walk you through the process of the build, each step of the way. It will feel like you are in the shop with him as he speaks to things to consider, anticipate, navigating through even potential mistakes — it’s all part of your growing to become the craftsperson it’s already in you to be!
Dimensions: As noted, specifications on this piece are noted for a Twin size, but with some recalculating, you could easily adapt them for a double, queen or king size. Bear in mind however the foot board, and in particular the headboard designs will need to be redrawn and appropriately proportioned — which we bet you’re up for!
Course topics include:
- This course offers over 9 hours of step-by-step instruction
- Design considerations
- Working with the Plans
- Elements of construction
- Wood selection, and prep
- Using a jig that simplifies cutting tapered octagons
- Using hand tools for touch up
- Shape the lamb’s tongue on the post, creating a beautiful transition element
- Layout and cut the post joinery
- Softening the dome on the top of the post
- Construct the classic “embedded” bed bolt and rail tenon
- Make the headboard and methods for gluing up, shaping, and mortising it for a perfect fit
- Final build details including glue-and finishing processes.
Questions? Click green square for more
ONLINE COURSE FAQs
Is it worth watching even if I don’t build along with Tom?
Absolutely, in fact we recommend you do! Whether or not you plan to build the piece, there’s a lot to learn about woodworking, and furniture making, including tips, techniques, and tricks shared from Tom’s over 30 years of experience — peppered in along with a bit of light humor as well. After all, this is supposed to be fun right!?
How long do I have access to the Sessions?
If you purchase the Course you have UNLIMITED access to the sessions — you can watch them anytime, as often as you like.
What do I need to access the Sessions?
All you need is a device with internet connectivity, such as a desktop or laptop computer, tablet or smartphone, etc. In addition, it is necessary to use the Chrome browser to consistently navigate the more sophisticated scripts on present on membership sites.
I’m not very tech savvy… is it easy?
You will be given easy to follow instructions on how to access every session. We are here to help you figure it out so worry not.
Are the sessions downloadable, or available on any other storage media?
For many reasons we have chosen to make them available via an online platform only.
FULL-SIZE PLANS FAQs
What kind of information do the Plans provide?
These are printed copies of Tom’s original design, hand-drawn plans, just like he makes for himself before building most projects. They note all the specifications, dimensions and helpful points of view for completing the piece.
Is there information provided about the materials I’ll need and how much?
Yes, in fact each set of plans comes with a cut list, and recommendations for finishing as well.
How big are the plans?
They are printed onto 36×48 sheets and will arrive at your door in a tube which assists with safe delivery and also provides a sturdy receptacle for future storage.
We choose to deliver in a tube versus folding the Plans so you do not have to deal with creases that impact your view of the contents on the page.
Does Tom create these using CAD?
No, he hand draws every component of the elements included on the Plans. He has worked with SketchUp in the past and though he knows it to be a great tool, prefers depicting curved elements in particular by hand.
Can I get the plans in digital format?
Good question, however we do not provide our Plans in digital format. It’s one small way we attempt to maintain the integrity of the intellectual property withing the project build experience.
Rather, we prefer to offer the physical product so the parts you will be making to fulfill the project are represented in actual size.
Why did your Plans go up in price in 2023?
The USPS added a surcharge to the shipping charge for items longer that 22″ which applies directly to the tubes in which we send the Plans. We conisdered the option of folding them, but find that it ruins the experience with them as they arrive creased and wrinkled in ways that the tube can generally diminish.
SUPPORT DURING THE BUILD
What if I have questions during the Course?
No problem, this is why we have The Neighborwood community which gives you access to Tom and many fellow woodworkers via a private forum.
You can post your questions in the Private Forum and get input directly from Tom and other Neighbors as needed. In fact, you can even ask question about any project you’re working on, and post pictures of your completed work for everyone to celebrate with you!
I’m not very tech savvy, is the Forum tricky?
Not at all, and we’re happy to help you learn how to use it. We’re all learning as we go, and once you get the hang of it… you’ll love it!
How can I learn more about The Neighborwood?
If you’re curious for how it all got started, and how it works, click here.
If you’re looking more for logistics and how to purchase, click here.