The FrankenBed
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I initially called my creation the FrankenBed because it was made from "parts." The word is taking on a new meaning, as in, I am creating a monster. The basic outline was a latex core, an Intelli-Gel topper from MyComfort, and something in between, possibly 2" of Foamex memory foam. The first major piece to arrive (not counting the foundation on top of a set of Bed Beams), is the latex core. I'll get the Intelli-Gel topper on Monday or Tuesday. I think I might already have a problem. I ordered an ILD 40 Talatech blend core, and I don't think it's going to be firm enough. I initially ordered a 44 but then changed my mind and went with a 40. I should have stayed with the 44. The core actually tested out at an average ILD of 37.8, but I'm not claiming the 2 points is what makes it too soft. Even on 3 2.8" layers, I can bottom out by sitting down on it hard. It's sitting on a concrete floor covered with carpet and I can definitely feel the floor. At the very least, I need to replace one of the ILD 38 layers, and possibly both. I can't bottom out all 4 layers, but that's 11" of latex, and support-wise, it feels pretty soft. Laying on my back, it feels very firm, but it feels like my butt sinks down further than it should. In other words it's almost too soft AND too firm at the same time. Too soft for my butt but too firm for my shoulders. Y'all can go ahead and laugh at me now for thinking I could save money by building my own mattress. Not happenin'. The best that can be said is that maybe my own mistakes can benefit others. I'm debating on what to do. I can be stubborn and order another core, or I can just admit that I made a bad decision and order a support mattress from someone that allows comfort exchanges. I have to allow that even the 44 might not be firm enough, so a money back guarantee would be a good idea too, the second time around. I have some decisions to make. This message was modified Sep 18, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: The FrankenBed
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I picked up the MyComfort Intelli-Gel topper at lunch. It's in the back of my truck so I can't give any impressions yet. It was shipped flat in a cardboard box on a pallet. A guy at the freight company helped me pull the bands off and take it out of the box so I could get it in my truck. It will definitely be an unwieldy thing to move - 150 lbs of wet noodle. The bottom side is a fairly aggressive anti-skid material, the sides and top are a stretch-knit fabric. It's still in the plastic so that's all I can say about the cover at this point. I'm excited to finally have it. It has been a long wait. Tonight I will put it on top my IFD 38 LI Talatech core and sleep on it. I will add another layer of something to the support mattress, but what that something is will depend on how it feels. This is where I have the opportunity to do some final tuning. |
Re: The FrankenBed
| LOL! I have this image of you in the back of your truck all stretched out on your topper! Hope it works out for you. |
Re: The FrankenBed
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Get this folks: They sent me the wrong size. They sent me an Eastern King. What I ordered was a California King. How does this happen? I believe I have alluded to the fact that his company seems to be a bit, "disorganized," and this is further proof. First they lose my order for near on two weeks, then I wait ANOTHER two weeks only to receive the wrong size. I don't even have the packing material any more. I left it at the freight office. I didn't notice it was the wrong size (it never once crossed my mind) until I got it home and was taking it out of the truck and saw Eastern King on the packing. I went ahead and brought it inside and, yup, sure enough, wrong king. The guy I placed the order with no longer works for the company. Well, I have always been a firm believer in "stuff happens," and I don't care what happened or who screwed up, but what are you going to do about it? The new manager of the Arizona store inherits a fine problem. Let's see how they handle it. This message was modified Sep 25, 2007 by a moderator
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Re: The FrankenBed
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I just got off the phone with Devin (sp) from MyComfort. He has promised to ship out a Cal King topper ASAP. When it's delivered the freight company will pick up the other topper. Devin asked what I would like him to throw in for my trouble, so I weaseled a seat cushion out of him. Was thinking about buying one of those anyway. ;-) I was a bit miffed earlier, but MyComfort is handling the problem professionally and appropriately, and like I said, stuff happens. Meanwhile the E King topper is taking up most of my living room. This message was modified Sep 25, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: The FrankenBed
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I slept on my new "mattress" last night. The Intelli-Gel didn't do anything to make my latex core feel more supportive, no surprise there, so I need at least one layer of 44. Slightly more surprising is that the Intelli-Gel topper won't quite be the entire comfort layer. So in addition to additional support, I need something more conforming under the topper than the IFD 38 latex. This will either be a softer latex (32? 28?) or memory foam. The flexible slat foundation should be here tomorrow. Presumably that will effect the feel a little bit. |
Re: The FrankenBed
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haysdb wrote: Slightly more surprising is that the Intelli-Gel topper won't quite be the entire comfort layer. How thick is the gel portion of your topper? Are you primarily a side, stomach, or back sleeper? Thanks for sharing your experiences with this product. |
Re: The FrankenBed
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I am a 100% side sleeper. The Intelli-Gel in the MyComfort topper is 2.25" thick. It sits on 1" of polyurethane foam. The quilted top adds another 1/2". This message was modified Sep 30, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: The FrankenBed
| haysdb, too bad about your topper. Did you say it was ordered from Arizona? Mesa AZ is where I went to order my bed. I called the other day to check on my order, and the guy said he was the new manager. Mine is supposed to be in town tomorrow - I sure hope my order is correct. |
Re: The FrankenBed
| When I went to the website to find a dealer, the number I was given happened to be the Arizona location. The topper was actually shipped from a manufacturing or fabrication facility in Salt Lake City Utah. |
Re: The FrankenBed
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[These next two posts were originally here, but they belong in this thread so I moved them.] tossnturn wrote: So is this a current result of your frankenbed? Any chance of posting some photos? What changes in your purchases would you make '20/20' ? Is the bed heavy with the comfort layer and the mattress core? What is [so far] sleep temp of that layer? With the slat foundation, what is the overall height? Will it fit a headboard? Are you still adjusting it? What pillow seems to work best with your bed so far ? Thanks for all the research time you've put in and posted information.. It will look like a typical mattress when I'm done. Right now it looks like the "prototype" that it is -- Eastern King Intelli-Gel topper sitting on top of naked Cal King latex cores, sitting on top the flexible slat foundation, sitting on the floor of my living room. Once I get a proper mattress cover and the right size Intelli-Gel topper, it will be pretty ordinary looking. This is an image from the Intelli-Gel website:  It is pretty heavy. The flexible slat foundation shipped in three boxes totaling 189 lbs. The Intelli-Gel topper weighs 150 lbs. The latex core weighs ~90 lbs. The total height of the final product will be 19 to 20 inches:
I am still working on it, but I'm pretty close. The "zoning" of the flexible slat foundation has my spine in pretty good alignment, but the Intelli-Gel sitting directly on the ILD 38 latex is a skosh too firm, so I'm contemplating 2" of either memory foam or latex as the top layer of the support mattress. The only pillow I have slept with so far is a Tempur-Pedic body pillow. I sleep on my side and I'm a pillow hugger. I have a RejuveNite (Latex International) shredded latex and down pillow coming Real Soon Now. This message was modified Sep 30, 2007 by haysdb
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