Ikea upcycle - wood daybed rail

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Hi folks! My partner and I are upcycling an Ikea Hemnes Daybed with new paint and hardware. We are also thinking to replace the top rail with solid wood. We’re fairly comfortable with most of the upcycling, but very new at all of the woodworking part. I’ve just become a member and was hoping it’d be a good first project once inducted onto everything. I’d really appreciate any feedback on the plan for the newbie :slight_smile:

  1. Buy two of these: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Whitewood-PSE-Timber---18-x-69-x-2400mm/p/107015
  2. Cut using table saw (or jigsaw?) into the 3 pieces of the right length
  3. Use a router with a roundover bit to round out the outside edges
  4. Use a router with a straight cutting bit to cut grooves in each piece. The original piece is tapered, but I think can leave it round
  5. Also cut the short dados using the same bit
  6. Use the pillar/brace and bit/drill to drill holes for the dowels
  7. Sand, stain and topcoat at home

Would really appreciate any comments!

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Looks like an excellent first project - consider what tools are needed and pick up the skills to do the job!

@Ryanf @lewisss what do you think?

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Ye, looks like a cool project. You’d have to make up some jigs for the routing of the that angled groove, but other than that, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem getting it done. You could potentially use hand tools to make the slope, then there’s no need for jigs.

You could do most of the project with hand tools, baring the groove actually. Sign up for a basic wood induction here and we can chat through your project during the induction.

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Awesome, thanks both! I’ve signed up for the induction, but looks like it will be a while. Thanks for looking over the project; I will feel better about ordering the timber and looking forward to chatting about it :slight_smile:

I don’t think the angled groove is actually necessary based on how it fits in, so that might save a step.