Cheap, easy, low-waste platform bed plans

Step 3 Predrill, countersink

Measure and mark both ends of the shorter 2x4's (on the broad face) 3/4" in from the edges and 3/4" in from the ends. The picture makes this much more clear. Predrill and countersink with the #10 bit. You will be drilling two holes in each end of each short 2x4, eight holes in all. After this step, there is no need to predrill any more holes, so put the countersink away.

Comments

[llmadigan]

aeray, you are THE MAN! i made your shelves and am super pleased with them - especially since i'm not much of a builder :) i'm planning on making this bed tonight and have everything but the countersink. how important is it that the screws are sunk in? could just a pilot hole be good enough? i'm not trying to be a cheapskate, but if i don't have to buy it i'd prefer not to...

thank you, btw, for putting together these plans and posting them for free! i'm so proud of myself for building simple/solid stuff for myself.

[aeray]

Just a pilot hole is fine, especially since most Torx head screws are self-countersinking to some degree. The only holes I bothered countersinking are the ones for connecting the 2x4s together for the frame. Oh, wait- if you already made the shelves, that means that you already have a 9/32" drill bit, right?
Just drill the small pilot holes, and then use the 9/32" bit to "countersink" them about 1/8". Problem solved. Post pics when you're done, and look for my upcoming "Cheap, easy, low-waste trestle table" which I should have up by New Years.

[aeray]

Oh, yeah, you used 3/8" all thread didn't you? Whichever bit you used for that will work as well, but be careful not to let it pull itself in too deep.

[jdennett]

I just finished building it, with the exception of the legs, which I will probably do later on today. However I beefed up the design a little, as I am about 300lb, and my girlfriend is not petite. The 2x4 frame was upgraded to 2x6's, and a 2x4 center beam was added down the middle. Also basically doubled the struts to about 16 if I recall...It feels really secure, and firm enough for me. Now it just needs legs to give me some storage space, and be easier to get in and out of.

Thanks for the great basic design!

[aeray]

Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy!

[msaul]

I am using hemlock instead of pine. Do I need to predrill holes to connect the 2x4s?

[aeray]

Yes, particularly since hemlock is more "brash" than pine.

[msaul]

Hi again. I think I did not phrase my first question very well. I have already pre-drilled holes at the ends of the shorter 2x4s. Do I need to also pre-drill holes in the (butt?) ends of the longer 2x4s - with hemlock?

[aeray]

No.

[llmadigan]

you remembered :) i ended up going with the 1/4" all thread - which my hardware store cut for me! i'll post a pic of the shelves in a bit....

i was wondering if i could just use 2 different drill bits to countersink, but wasn't sure if it was ok to do.

i'll post pics of the bed when i'm done.

and i cannot wait to see the table!! (i was going to ask if you were taking requests on new "cheap, easy, low-waste" pieces, and a table was going to be one of them).

thanks again!

[aeray]

If you have other requests, I'm happy to oblige, PM me, or post here.

[notsotall]

which 'supplies' do I buy less of to make it a lower platform bed?