What size should these spindles be?

[Noel Poore]

Hi everyone

I am making two beds for my children. They are queen size, and both ends of the bed have a horizontal rail connected to a curved rail at the top with tapered spindles. The curved rail is 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/2" high. The horizontal rail is 1 3/4" wide by 6" high. The wood is cherry. The spindles will be between 16 and 20" long, and will go all the way through the curved rail at the top and be wedged. The current sketch of the design has 13 spindles at each end of the bed. The bed legs are 1 3/4" square. The straight lower rail will be joined to the leg with a mortise and tenon. The curved rail will have a bridle joint and the top of the leg will be curved to match the curve of the rail.

My question is this: what diameter should the spindles be? I was thinking 5/8" at the bottom and 3/8" at the top, and would make sure the grain is nice and straight with no runout. I have made a couple of test spindles and that size/taper looks nice and feels quite strong. I thought I would get a second opinion though and ask here: Do you think that size spindle be strong enough, or should I make them thicker (say 3/4" tapering to 1/2")? Did I give enough information to answer the question?

Thanks!

Noel

[Michael Dunn]

I think a drawing or a picture would help us understand.

[Sam Murdoch]

These are beds for adults? I think you are OK with that size spindle - after all, it "looks nice and feel quite strong" enough. The joint into the top and bottom rail will be key. If they are secure and there is plenty of supporting wood the 3/8" top diameter spindles will be plenty strong. Always worth a mock up to be sure of your choice.

[Tony Joyce]

Hi everyone

I am making two beds for my children. They are queen size, and both ends of the bed have a horizontal rail connected to a curved rail at the top with tapered spindles. The curved rail is 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/2" high. The horizontal rail is 1 3/4" wide by 6" high. The wood is cherry. The spindles will be between 16 and 20" long, and will go all the way through the curved rail at the top and be wedged. The current sketch of the design has 13 spindles at each end of the bed. The bed legs are 1 3/4" square. The straight lower rail will be joined to the leg with a mortise and tenon. The curved rail will have a bridle joint and the top of the leg will be curved to match the curve of the rail.

My question is this: what diameter should the spindles be? I was thinking 5/8" at the bottom and 3/8" at the top, and would make sure the grain is nice and straight with no runout. I have made a couple of test spindles and that size/taper looks nice and feels quite strong. I thought I would get a second opinion though and ask here: Do you think that size spindle be strong enough, or should I make them thicker (say 3/4" tapering to 1/2")? Did I give enough information to answer the question?

Thanks!

Noel

Noel,
I think you answered your own question. In the end you're the one that will have to look at them. I think either size would work well.

Tony