breaking the bed

[pantryslut]

(Ed. note: meant to post this yesterday, but I'm having weird LJ connectivity problems.)

I have the most overbuilt bed in existence.

It's a platform bed, and ostensibly it's supposed to be able to fold into a futon, though we never use it that way. It was built by a local craftswoman who also used to build dungeon furniture. Her stuff is super-sturdy. Plain, unassuming, and tough as nails.

So I was surprised when this week, I started hearing the sounds of popping wood. Uh-oh.

Last night, Steven and I dismantled the bed entirely (it comes apart into three pieces and six bolts), examined it up and down and sideways, and then put it back together again. Let's just say we started this process after midnight and finished it well after midnight.

We figured out where the wood is splitting -- there are two boards at the end of one piece that are right up against the futon pivot, and I guess the pressure is causing them to separate along the grain.

We also determined that this has absolutely no effect on the structural stability of the bed. The boards could split entirely in half and this thing would be as sturdy as ever.

Comments

how lucky!

[n-elisbeth.livejournal.com]

I wish I had a bed that could break but not be broken! I've always slept in these old antique beds that are held up on flimsy slats that like to fall out in the middle of the night if you turn over wrong!
Perhaps I shall have to invest in one of these beds when I get out there.
:-) Nellie

Re: how lucky!

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I obtained this bed secondhand, and the builder gal hasn't been active for years as far as I can tell. But I'm sure someone could build something like it.

[lcohen]

that's your story and you're sticking to it? ;-)

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

You'll note that I didn't mention what I was doing when I heard the wood split...or with whom ;)

[lcohen]

why, yes. yes, i will note that!