Having trouble with DIY mattress. *sigh*
Sep 3, 2009 5:03 PM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
Well, i *thought* i'd 'beat the system' and gotten a great set up for less money, but i'm not sure it's agreeing with me.

Last night i put this configuration together:

LUX-HQ (3")
HD36-HQ (3")
HD36 eggcrate (1 1/2 ")
Sensus MF (1")-----Newly added!
supersoft eggcrate (1 1/2 ")
FBM soft latex (1")----Newly added!
CuddleBed------Newly added!

Well, it certainly felt nice and soft and 'cushy' after adding the new layers. I thought i had gotten it right! But, alas, i woke in the middle of the night HOT, and feeling like i was SINKING too much. Argggh! I then put my spring mattress on top of it, and slept more comfortably. So, either it's too hard (before), or it's too soft (after).

Today, i removed the memory foam and LUX-HQ...I'm pretty sure i don't have enough base, now (only 4 1/2 inches of HD36 foam (including eggcrate), with 1" latex, 1 1/2 supersoft foam, and CuddleBed on top), but i thought i'd remove some firmness so i wouldn't need the memory foam. I don't know. My innerspring mattress is still hovering, ready to be placed on top of it again tonight. *sigh*! I think there is something to the idea of the *whole* mattress moving when a part of your body moves, on an innerspring. For example, on a foam mattress your back might dip a bit , but it's isolated, and thus puts more strain on it. On a spring, the rest of your body moves slightly with it, alleviating strain. I may be totally making this up, though...;)

I really do like innerspring mattresses, but they're just not good with motion transfer. And i do like the feel of the latex...Would love to feel 6" of it, but reluctant to spend the $ in case i have to return it (shipping and 25% restocking charge is harsh!). Maybe the LUX base with HD36-HQ (6" total) plus 4 or 5" of latex from FBM would do it? Wish they had free returns. I just can't afford an expensive latex mattress right now.

Also thinking about Otis Beds, quality mattresses with 2.0 and 2.5 density foams, which are supposed to hold up very well, maybe have some cushion and don't sleep hot?

I know i'm rambling, and Sager would probably have a field day with my 'post-analysis', but...as Jimsocal knows, sometimes there's a lot of trial and error here. If anyone sees a good solution amidst all this, please let me know! Thanks for all the knowledge and helpfulness here in the forum, and for putting up with my craziness!!
Re: Having trouble with DIY mattress. *sigh*
Reply #10 Sep 4, 2009 9:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2, 2009
Points: 26
Hey ecat, let me know if you can solve the heat issue.  I'm most likely going with a similar setup, LUX core (6") but I'm only going Talalay latex on top.  I'm wondering if you need more latex on top which would help heat, memory foam is definitely hotter because Tal latex has the holes going through (airs better).  However, you said you're trying to keep costs down so not sure if you can afford more Talalay from FBM... or you can just wait and see how mine turns out. ;-)
Re: Having trouble with DIY mattress. *sigh*
Reply #11 Sep 5, 2009 12:19 AM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
hi all,
thanks for your kind help. Bill, do you think the eggcrate is a problem due to its softness?

Yes, maybe i should try the 6" again (i have 3" base right now, with the eggcrate layers), and see how the MF and latex are on top. Wish it weren't such a pain to move around the layers. ;) I felt like maybe removing the bottom 3" of LUX gave the configuration a little needed 'give', but i'm not sure that removing the LUX is what did that...Maybe it was adding the latex and cuddlebed...hmmm

Jim, i think you said in an earlier post that latex can be very hot, too. Why is it touted as the 'cooler' foam? I guess advertising...

Thanks again, and i'll keep you updated on my (ever-changing) situation!
Re: Having trouble with DIY mattress. *sigh*
Reply #12 Sep 5, 2009 9:16 AM
Joined: Sep 2, 2009
Points: 26
electracat wrote:
hi all,
thanks for your kind help. Bill, do you think the eggcrate is a problem due to its softness?

Yes, maybe i should try the 6" again (i have 3" base right now, with the eggcrate layers), and see how the MF and latex are on top. Wish it weren't such a pain to move around the layers. ;) I felt like maybe removing the bottom 3" of LUX gave the configuration a little needed 'give', but i'm not sure that removing the LUX is what did that...Maybe it was adding the latex and cuddlebed...hmmm

Jim, i think you said in an earlier post that latex can be very hot, too. Why is it touted as the 'cooler' foam? I guess advertising...

Thanks again, and i'll keep you updated on my (ever-changing) situation!

Hi ecat, I did a search and read that someone who had the HD36 foam had to remove it because it broke down, so I'm going to skip it altogether. :)   I'm basically going to emulate what LatencyMachine did here:  http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-foam-mail-foam-distributing-experience/3884-0-1.html    
But instead of the 2" HD36 I'm going to make that up with an extra inch in Lux (6 inches vs his 5) and another inch in medium Talalay (3 vs his 2).  May go with something different from the cuddlebed but I've been hearing great things all around so may just bite the bullet and get that. :)
Re: Having trouble with DIY mattress. *sigh*
Reply #13 Sep 5, 2009 12:54 PM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
So you're going to go with the latex/LUX set-up? I look forward to hearing how it goes!! I'm thinking that latex may be the foam i like best right now...I would love to get a few more layers, but right now am a bit reluctant to buy stuff i can't return (already have spent cash for a bed that may not work out!). But we'll see...

Please let us know how it goes!