We are exhibiting at Screwfix Live 2024
27th - 29th September
27th - 29th September
Freddie Bowles, designer and maker of the Van Bed talks about using Button-fix for furniture designs and products in his campervan.
Freddie Bowles, designer and maker of the Van Bed talks about using Button-fix for furniture designs and products in his campervan.
As experienced joiner Freddie said, ‘When you are making things, ideas pop into your head’. So it was with the initial concept for his design for the Van Bed. Several factors gave truth to the saying that necessity is the mother of invention. Firstly, his van was needed both for work and fun. Secondly, waking up in a van on a cold morning to find out a deflated inflatable mattress is not a good start to the day. Thirdly, he wanted to make a product available to other recreational vehicle users and create a successful business. As the brief for the Van Bed evolved from these basic needs, it became apparent that a strong and reliable fixing was needed for the elegant assembly of the folding surfaces. Buttonfix Type 2 was the obvious choice, providing a comforting snap when locking the panels together.
The first prototype of the Van Bed used Button-fix Type 2 with green Buttons, but as the design evolved, the blue Buttons were adopted and fixed with M4 bolts and Nylok nuts.
The range of Van Beds includes a sofa bed, and a wide chair, both of which fold down into a bed.
Freddie Bowles with the Van Bed he designed using Button-fix
It was clear from Gavin Tutton Carpentry's Instagram post that he loves using Button-fix. We interviewed him to find out why.
The Windsor-based joinery specialists share their experience of using Button-fix and explain how it helps them to install their bespoke fitted furniture.
"The product is so simple to use that it speaks for itself!" says Cathy Cain, owner of Scaeva Signs, who discovered a love for signwriting during the first coronavirus lockdown in Spring 2020.
