Cheap, easy, low-waste platform bed plans

Step 5 Lay out and attach slats

This step may sound confusing, but look at the photos and read the steps as you act them out. It is also confusing because the tape will "read" upside-down, since for some stupid reason, a "right handed" tape measure is designed to be held in the right hand, with the left hand making the marks. Most carpenters, myself included, hold it in the left and make marks with the right, and learn to read the tape upside down. "Left handed" tapes are available, but I have yet to find one that will stand up to the daily abuse and none are 30' long, the length I most commonly use.

1) Turn the frame over so that the cross brace is underneath.
2) Face a long side of the bed frame.
3) Holding the tape in your left hand, hook the end on the edge of the frame on your right.
4) With your right hand, make marks at the following lengths, and draw an X to the right of them.

2-1/2"
9-3/4"
17"
24-1/4"
31-1/2"
38-3/4"
46"
53-1/4"
60-1/2"
67-3/4"

5) Make the last mark at 71-1/2" and this time make the X to the left of the mark.
6) Repeat the process, but in mirror image, along the other long side of the frame.

Attach the slats using (4) 2" screws per slat. Place each slat over each X and align the slat edge with the layout line. Use a scrap of 1x4 to gauge the overhang as in the second photo. Note that the first and last slats will overhang the top and bottom of the frame be 1". Check the slats for bow, and put it up, so the weight of the futon pushes it flat later.

If you can't find the eleventh slat, it is still screwed to the bottom of the frame to keep it square. Taking it off now is O.K., because the screws through the slats will hold everything square.

Comments

[juice484]

instead of marking the long side board with all your layouts after the frame is assembled, do it before you screw and brace it. Then you can lay the 2 adjacent pieces next to each other and transfer the marks on one to the other with a square. This will make it easier and more accurate to create the mirror image.

[screamer1]

I made this bed, and it took me a little while extra because I used lumber from a neighbor for the slats that had been exposed to the weather, so I scrubbed it down with a mixture of water and bleach, and let it dry before assembling, but it looks great. The only down side is now with the large air mattress that I have I it, I need a step ladder to get in it. I'm considering cutting them down tomorrow if I don't fall out of it tonight and end up with a concussion. The plans were excellent though and very clear. The waste was almost non-existent! Thank you.

[aeray]

Excellent use of salvaged lumber. Pics?

[screamer1]

Thank you. It looks just like your picture though...and I followed every step, and it's the first time that I've made something like that. Sorry, no pics, but trust me when I say that it was comfortable to be off the floor after sleeping on an air mattress for almost a year. I can actually see the sun coming through the windows in the morning!

[Q]

I have a very expensive latex mattress that was given to me as a gift that I'm making this bed frame for. I was told by the manufacturer that the slats can be no more than 2 inches apart, preferably less. How much extra wood will I need and does this change any of the dimensions? Also, is there a way to make the frame a bit longer so there is no mattress over-hang? Maybe attaching 2x8's as the frame instead so the mattress sits inside the frame? I'm sure this is all confusing, I'm just trying to support the mattress as best I can. First time with a latex mattress and they are very heavy - over 300lbs - at least. Thanks so much for your great 'bile!! =)

[aeray]

Add 5" to the length of the slats, and 4" to the length of the longer 2 x 4's. You'll also need to use 17 slats to keep the gap less than 2".

[Q]

THanks so much for the extra info!!

[Q]

Sorry about the bile.... Stupid computer keeps changing the spelling of the words. Meant to say great instructable!!

[cfpax]

Is this really a Queen, or is it a Full size?

A Queen bed is 60"x80". A Full is 54"x75".
The final dimensions of this bed are 55"x76".
(The slats give a width of 4'7" or 55"; the length is 5'11" plus 3" for the top/bottom 2x4s plus 2" overhang. That's 6'4" or 76".)

A queen mattress would overhang a good 2-1/2" on each side, and I would worry about the corners of the slats digging into the mattress as you sat on it. The length overhangs 2" each end, or 4" at the bottom if there is a headboard or if the bed is pushed against the wall. Is this right?

A full would sit with 1/2" clearance all around; room for the mattress to squish down a bit. But then I imagine the ends of the slats would make sitting on the side of the bed uncomfortable.

If this IS a Queen, what dimensions should I use for a Full? The overhang (if desirable) suggests a full bed should be 49" x 71".
_Should_ the overhang be the same? Advice/recommendations?
Thank you!

[aeray]

This is indeed for a queen. It is undersized so that 1) you don't bumb your legs on the slat ends 2) so that the slat ends don't show and 3) to make the most efficient use of common lumber dimensions.

As for the full size bed, dimensions are given multiple time in the Comments section.

[cfpax]

Thank you!
My apologies for not seeing the full-size dimensions in the Comments. I am new here and I only saw five or ten comments. I didn't see more until after I created an account (which I did to post my question). I don't know if seeing all the comments is limited to members or if I was just confused by the paging format.
In any case, apologies again for asking a redundant question.
And thanks for a nice Instructable!

[aeray]

No problem. I can't remember if non-members can see all the comments, but the comments format can be confusing.