How to Build Twig Furniture
Twig furniture, a term used to refer to furniture made from wild, found materials, sometimes should be more properly termed "Log Furniture." This is certainly true when constructing beds, couches and other items that can be expected to have a heavy weight load. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Long-Handled anvil pruning clippers
- Pocket knife
- Pruning saw
- Hatchet
- Hammer
- Drill
- Nails
- Copper wire (Moderately heavy gauge)
- Poles about 3 to 4 inches in diameter
- Flexible twigs, about 1 inch in diameter
- Chainsaw
Instructions
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Twin Bed
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1
Select two sturdy poles, 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and about 4 feet long. Ideally, these should be some sort of hardwood. If a bare wood look is desired, strip the bark from all pieces before beginning construction. Select two poles, about 3 1/2 feet long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and two of similar length that can be smaller.
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2
Construct the headboard by drilling into the bottom of the first two poles, using a paddle drill bit. Place three holes at the bottom of each piece, one directly above the other, and slightly overlapping. Use a wood rasp to clean out the inside of these holes, connecting them together. This will create a slot. Repeat at the level where the mattress will rest.
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3
Drill two holes, about 4 inches apart, one-third of the way down the top of the poles. This will be a decorative brace.
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4
Sharpen the two larger remaining pieces to a blunt, flat point using a hatchet; they should look a lot like the point on a flat carpenter's pencil. Insert the sharpened points into the prepared holes.
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5
Sharpen the two smaller sticks, and place in the holes that are in the upper part of the frame.
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6
Repeat the general process for the foot board, leaving off the upper portion with the decorative part.
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7
Cut two logs 4 to 6 inches in diameter, 6 feet long. Cut two logs 2 to 4 inches in diameter, 6 feet long. Place the larger logs on top of the pieces on the head board and foot board that are at the level intended for the mattress, with the ends on the inside of the uprights. Drill into the logs from the inside. Use a long wood screw to secure them. Repeat the process with the smaller logs on the bottom rungs.
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8
Use a sturdy rope to weave back and forth between the headboard and sides to form a "spring" on which to place the mattress. Alternatively, cut a piece of heavy canvas to fit. Lap it over the poles and sew it in place with heavy duty cord.
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1
Tips & Warnings
By shortening or extending the various parts, this same basic process may be used to construct a couch (move the decorative back to the side), a chair or a shelving unit.
