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 will wait to see how the ILD 38 core feels under the Intelli-Gel before taking the next step. SleepEz feels like my best bet for a 2 layer (model 7000), 2.5 layer (8500), or 3 layer (model 10000) support mattress. Maybe Shawn will take pitty on me and sell me an 8500 or 10000 with a credit for one layer of latex. I can surely use one of my 38 layers. I'd like a real casing for the latex. The velour cover will certainly work, but I'd just rather have something that looks like a real mattress. FYI, the Latex Mattress Company and Mattresses.net (which appear to be the same company), also offer a solid core talalay (Radium) mattress for a pretty reasonable price In either case the price is not a lot more than I paid for my raw core, and you get a nice mattress cover, which would be worth the difference to me. Something else I'm also going to "need" is a low profile foundation. I wanted to lose about 2" over my current mattress and boxsprings, but that's not going to happen. I thought I could get by with just a 5.6" core and the 4" Intelli-Gel topper, and a standard height foundation, but I don't think that's quite going to happen. I should have lived with my existing foundation until I got my mattress sorted out rather than buying the BSA wood slat foundation. The good news there is I'm only out $230 for that, and can maybe sell that to get some of my money back. I didn't want to spend $500 to $800 for a foundation, but I don't see much in the way of alternatives. |
Re: The FrankenBed
I called FloBeds to ask about low profile foundations (they clearly have the best selection of foam mattress foundations on the Internet) and have decided to give one of their Euro slat foundations a try.
This message was modified Sep 30, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: The FrankenBed
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donw wrote: I feel your pain. That's part of the reason I chickened out and went with their pocket bed (of course the other reason is because I'm cheap.) i just hope I don't regret not buying their topper like yours and their coil core. If the pocket bed is too firm, I'm not sure how I can soften it up. With the other option, I could always put a layer of latex under the topper. I wonder if placing a 1" layer of soft latex on top of the gel would negate the gel's benefit. You could always buy their coil core for $1K, and then sell your latex core. I sure wonder when mine will get here. It may be "in my head", but since I've been looking at beds, mine seems worse every night. I don't think it will be too firm. Intelli-Gel is such a new-fangled material that it's hard putting it's effect into terms we can relate to. The terms density and IFD just don't apply to Intelli-Gel, just as they don't apply to coils, and yet I think we have to think of Intelli-Gel as a 4" topper, and essentially an entire mattress support layer. One of the support mattresses MyComfort sells is nothing more than a Leggett & Platt continuous coil innerspring with what appears to be 1" of foam on top followed by a stretch-knit cover. The topper lays right on top of that. That's essentially what you will have with the PocketGEL, except that your coil unit will be a pocketed coil, and therefore probably a little less firm than the two-part system. Another MyComfort support mattress is an air unit with basically NOTHING on top between the air bladders and the topper. It's clear that the ticking, Intelli-Gel, and thin layer of foam that the Intelli-Gel is bonded to, comprises pretty much the entire comfort layer. Good question about whether anything placed over the Intelli-Gel would negate it's benefit. I think it would. I think you need to sleep fairly close to it in order to get the full effect. If anything I think a layer of 1" foam over top the Intelli-Gel would make it FIRMER, not softer, unless it was a very soft topper. Having the two part system will allow some flexibility. The feel of the mattress could be changed significantly with just a 1" or 2" layer of something between the topper and the support mattress. I am getting anxious. My topper is in town now and will be delivered Tuesday if I don't find a way to pick it up myself tomorrow. Update: I no longer consider the Intelli-Gel topper to comprise the entire comfort layer, at least not for side-sleepers. More on this in a later post. This message was modified Oct 10, 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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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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