Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Making an emperor bed

middleendian.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 131 posts

Re: Making an emperor bed

#41

Post by convolvatron »

rootedbox wrote: post #10
Freak_NL wrote: post #8

> At this point, I decided the only thing that made sense was to build my own mattress from scratch. Bless this mindset. The internet would be a lot less interesting without the makers and their write-ups.

I get what your saying; but this is also how we end up with hacky software at companies.. The 'The I'm pretty sure I can make this better(or cheaper) myself... even if there is an off the shelf version done by dedicated professionals.'

the very notable difference is that when you make software for a company, you're creating something thats supposed to be used by other people and getting paid in return. if you sell someone a crappy homemade mattress, and charge them 4 weeks at $80/hr, you've basically committed fraud.

if I make a mattress, or a mug, or a shirt, or a skateboard for my own use and it turns out badly - i've learned something and probably enjoyed myself.

Re: Making an emperor bed

#42

Post by MayeulC »

> After performing some not-so-rigorous tests on some of my extra buckling column gel, I came to the conclusion that the best way to address this was zip ties. The gel is thick and firm enough that if you push down on it you can't feel a zip tie near the middle of it.

How about plain old-fashioned sewing?

> I decided to go with a 7" layer of latex foam as a base as it is form-fitting and relatively cool

This got me thinking; it shouldn't be too hard to add some thermoregulation to a mattress, with a cooling/heating system, and could provide a nice experience. Anyone has any experience with thermoregulated beds? Does they even exist?

The closest I can think of is that stargate episode (with the Tollan people): https://peertube.xyz/videos/watch/965b521a-ee29-41fd-9e96-ea...

Re: Making an emperor bed

#43

Post by wild_preference »

closetohome wrote: post #25

I'd like to suggest that, no matter how proud you are of this, don't bring a woman over and open with "so I built my own mattress."

I don’t see how you imagine that interaction going south. Perhaps a self-limiting belief that you have where women can’t tolerate something you see as quirky?

Re: Making an emperor bed

#44

Post by owenversteeg »

So I've built myself two mattresses using just a 12cm thick slab of foam. My girlfriend and I both consider my "mattress" to be the most comfortable we've ever slept on, and guests that have tried it found it very comfortable. Initially I planned to add other layers to it, like latex, gel, springs or whatnot, but I really can't find any reason to.

It's a fine temperature in the summer and nicely insulating in the winter, and it was fairly inexpensive too ($140 for two 100x200x12cm slabs of high quality foam.)

Has anyone else tried this simple approach to DIY mattress building? Any thoughts on why (or why not) to just use plain foam?

[edit] The reason why I ask is because maybe there are hidden factors I haven't considered. Maybe there's a risk of back pain, or less deep sleep, or something I haven't considered. Perhaps the most comfortable mattress isn't always the best for you. I figured if there's anywhere I'd find a subject matter expert, it'd be here :)

Re: Making an emperor bed

#45

Post by MiddleEndian »

jlebrech wrote: post #31

What about a cylindrical bed, you could call it the Omega bed?

I have a friend who had a cylindrical bed in college (and maybe still now). It's fun but takes up more functional space in the room for less usable space on the bed. Also much harder to build and get sheets for.

Re: Making an emperor bed

#46

Post by fellowniusmonk »

nextos wrote: post #29
rootedbox wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I get what your saying; but this is also how we end up with hacky software at companies.. The 'The I'm pretty sure I can make this better(or cheaper) myself... even if there is an off the shelf version done by dedicated professionals.'

I disagree. If you hang around The Mattress Underground, where lots of mattress aficionados and professional sellers post, you will quickly become aware that most beds are pretty mediocre and overpriced. There's lots of in-depth discussion on their internals, and it's pretty disappointing. It's not surprising, as there's a lot of information asymmetry in the bed market. Customers don't have a good understanding of in…

do you have pictures or material lists, I want to make this bed.

Re: Making an emperor bed

#47

Post by MiddleEndian »

MayeulC wrote: post #42

> After performing some not-so-rigorous tests on some of my extra buckling column gel, I came to the conclusion that the best way to address this was zip ties. The gel is thick and firm enough that if you push down on it you can't feel a zip tie near the middle of it. How about plain old-fashioned sewing? > I decided to go with a 7" layer of latex foam as a base as it is form-fitting and relatively cool This got me t…

Honestly I don't remember why I decided against sewing but the zip ties are wider and would presumably therefore involve less pressure on the materials.

My knowledge of thermoregulation is very minimal so I have no insight there beyond these materials feeling cool to me.

Re: Making an emperor bed

#48

Post by aekotra »

war1025 wrote: post #39
Freak_NL wrote: post #8

> At this point, I decided the only thing that made sense was to build my own mattress from scratch. Bless this mindset. The internet would be a lot less interesting without the makers and their write-ups.

I have no write-up, so probably not a terribly interesting comment. But my wife and I decided to make our own 100% wool mattress several years ago by stitching together five italian officer blankets with wool batting sandwiched between each layer. By far the most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on. We've had it for maybe 5 years now I think.

I would like to do the same! Could you please provide more detail on sourcing materials and the construction?

Re: Making an emperor bed

#49

Post by MiddleEndian »

owenversteeg wrote: post #44

So I've built myself two mattresses using just a 12cm thick slab of foam. My girlfriend and I both consider my "mattress" to be the most comfortable we've ever slept on, and guests that have tried it found it very comfortable. Initially I planned to add other layers to it, like latex, gel, springs or whatnot, but I really can't find any reason to. It's a fine temperature in the summer and nicely insulating in the win…

If it works for you it works for you. Once I'd tested out some of the gel it felt better to me so I went with that.

And of course the other things I mentioned like support and cooling.

Re: Making an emperor bed

#50

Post by owenversteeg »

MayeulC wrote: post #42

> After performing some not-so-rigorous tests on some of my extra buckling column gel, I came to the conclusion that the best way to address this was zip ties. The gel is thick and firm enough that if you push down on it you can't feel a zip tie near the middle of it. How about plain old-fashioned sewing? > I decided to go with a 7" layer of latex foam as a base as it is form-fitting and relatively cool This got me t…

I'm not sure about a cooling system, but heated blankets/mattress pads exist for pretty cheap ($10ish.)

Anyone know if there's an inexpensive way to cool a mattress? I found the "ChiliPad" for US$450, with discount codes taking that to $336, which is still way more expensive than any heating pads.

Everything else I've found just seems to be mattress pads with cooling fabrics, which just feel cool to the touch and don't actually cool you down.

Post reply on HN