Bed Rails For Camp Bed

[CurlyGeorge]

I got an order from a friend of mine to make four sets of bed rails that would run cross ways across a bed that he made. The bed is made from old teepee poles and is a log frame bed. I don't have a picture of the completed bed, yet. But here are the pics of how I made the rails. He cut a piece of plywood to lay on the rails.

I started with 10 1/2" of 3/16X1 1/2" flat bar. Then cut a V in the end.


Then forged a set of rams horns on the notched end.


Then I heated the bar and rolled it around a 4" OD pipe so that it will hook over the side rails of the bed.


Then I welded the hooks to pieces of 1 1/2X 1 1/2 bed frame angle iron.


He spaced these down the length of the log bed and put 3/8" plywood over them. Then the foam pad and bed roll. I'll post a picture of the completed bed, as soon as I can. He was happy with the results. Looks like I may have more of these in the near future, because he called and said that he already has another order for one of his beds. :)

[David Einhorn]

In case your friend needs more period furniture, here are diagrams from a period book "The Prairie Traveler":

[CurlyGeorge]

Thank you, Dave. I'll pass that along. I'll print them off for him and give him the name of the book. :)

[David Einhorn]

CurlyGeorge, you are very welcome. The book is no longer under copyright and can be read in its entirety at:
http://www.kancoll.org/books/marcy/mar5_14b.htm It is also available as a paperback reprint.

[Harold Oney]

THanks for the link. I have acutally been looking for that book for some time. hay CurleyGeorge, I will have to remember this the next bed i make in my shop. Great Work

[David Einhorn]

It is amazing what one can find on forums that have a heavy element of historical camping. Someday I might purchase the paper copy.

The Prairie Traveler: The 1859 Handbook for Westbound Pioneers (Dover Value Editions) [Paperback]
Randolph B. Marcy (Author)
 Paperback: 256 pages
 Publisher: Dover Publications; Unabridged Republication edition (August 31, 2006)
 Language: English
 ISBN-10: 048645150X
 ISBN-13: 978-0486451503
 Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
 Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounce

This Folding Sea Captains Desk looks like fun too:

[CurlyGeorge]

I am saving that info about the book. I am sure that will come in handy to have. Thanks again, Dave. Here are a couple of pics of the finished bed.

By the way, the corner posts are made to fit against the side of a teepee. :)

[John McPherson]

A four post bed........in a teepee. Huh. Truth is waaaaay stranger than fiction some days.

[firefarm39]

Thanks CurlyGeorge! I am in the process of making a similar bed and wasn't sure how I would do the support for the plywood. Now I know!

[mcostello]

Some one actually using bed rails for a............bed?
How interesting!
Right material for the intended use is always best

[Tom Allyn]

CurlyGeorge, you are very welcome.  The book is no longer under copyright and can be read in its entirety at:  
http://www.kancoll.o...cy/mar5_14b.htm    It is also available as a paperback reprint.

Fantastic link. Thank you very much.