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This is my very first instructable, but it is not my first attempt at making a bed. Unfortunately, it is the first time I have documented the process with the intention of making an instructable.
I am not a carpenter. I own enough tools to get through basic projects, and have just enough know-how on how to do it. I did make some mistakes during this process that I will point out for you so that you may avoid them.
What I set out to create was a queen sized bed frame that was durable and looked nice.
I made this frame at the request of my brother, as gift for him, so there were a couple of things to keep in mind.
The bed had to look nice, but more importantly it had to be very durable.
With these simple instructions I set out to make a bed capable of handling anything a 6'5" , 220lb single man could throw at it.
This is how it all went down.
I am not a carpenter. I own enough tools to get through basic projects, and have just enough know-how on how to do it. I did make some mistakes during this process that I will point out for you so that you may avoid them.
What I set out to create was a queen sized bed frame that was durable and looked nice.
I made this frame at the request of my brother, as gift for him, so there were a couple of things to keep in mind.
The bed had to look nice, but more importantly it had to be very durable.
With these simple instructions I set out to make a bed capable of handling anything a 6'5" , 220lb single man could throw at it.
This is how it all went down.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials
I chose to make this frame out of new and "durable" materials. I wanted it to be a "quality product" so I did not spare too much cost when choosing materials.
You could make this frame at a much lower cost if you recycle materials, or simply chose different ones.
All the materials can be purchased in your local Home Depot. If there is a lumberyard near you you may be able to get a better price.
This is what I used and what I paid at Home Depot.
4' x 8' Sheet of 3/4" Oak plywood (veneer core) -- Two sheets' -- $75/sheet
One sheet will make the two sides and foot board. The second sheet will be used for the headboard.
You will have a decent amount of material left over for use in another project. Alternately, you could buy slightly smaller sheets. I could not find smaller ones in my area.
Particle boards are a bit cheaper, as are other wood types. You could also look for boards that are only veneered on one side rather than both. They tend to be cheaper. Unfortunately I couldn't find any.
2" x 4" x 8' construction lumber -- 6 pieces -- $2/piece
Your plain 2x4 used to make the structural frame of the bed.
1" L bracket (outside corner) oak molding -- approximately 35 feet -- $1.60/foot
I opted for molding to cover the unfinished edges over a glue-on veneer. Oak was chosen to match the look of the rest of the oak. I also felt that a nice border would improve the overall appearance of the bed.
You could use glue on veneer for a fraction of the price. You could also use composite molding rather than oak to lower the cost.
6 hex bolts 1/4" x 4" + 6 matching nuts + 12 matching washers -- $7
The bolts will be used to hold the frame together and allow it to be taken apart again.
Box of 1 3/4" wood screws - 100 pack -- $6
You will not need nearly as many screws as that, and may already have them laying around. I did not have the size I needed so I had to buy them.
A can of wood stain of your choice and a can of polyurethane
You can buy a 2in1 product as well. I was making this bed a two tone color so I opted to buy 2 stains and a separate polyurethane. If you have enough stain laying around from another project you'll save a few bucks.
Slats
Ok....I admit to cheating a bit here. I went to IKEA and purchased the slats for $60 dollars. I decided that buying the pre-cut, pre-bound slats would be simpler than cutting a ton of slats myself. This also allowed them to be easily pulled out when moving the bed. One could easily cut these out and affix them to the frame permanently, or bind them together.
1/2 inch dowel - 3' long -- $2
Will help hold things together
That's it for the materials
You could make this frame at a much lower cost if you recycle materials, or simply chose different ones.
All the materials can be purchased in your local Home Depot. If there is a lumberyard near you you may be able to get a better price.
This is what I used and what I paid at Home Depot.
4' x 8' Sheet of 3/4" Oak plywood (veneer core) -- Two sheets' -- $75/sheet
One sheet will make the two sides and foot board. The second sheet will be used for the headboard.
You will have a decent amount of material left over for use in another project. Alternately, you could buy slightly smaller sheets. I could not find smaller ones in my area.
Particle boards are a bit cheaper, as are other wood types. You could also look for boards that are only veneered on one side rather than both. They tend to be cheaper. Unfortunately I couldn't find any.
2" x 4" x 8' construction lumber -- 6 pieces -- $2/piece
Your plain 2x4 used to make the structural frame of the bed.
1" L bracket (outside corner) oak molding -- approximately 35 feet -- $1.60/foot
I opted for molding to cover the unfinished edges over a glue-on veneer. Oak was chosen to match the look of the rest of the oak. I also felt that a nice border would improve the overall appearance of the bed.
You could use glue on veneer for a fraction of the price. You could also use composite molding rather than oak to lower the cost.
6 hex bolts 1/4" x 4" + 6 matching nuts + 12 matching washers -- $7
The bolts will be used to hold the frame together and allow it to be taken apart again.
Box of 1 3/4" wood screws - 100 pack -- $6
You will not need nearly as many screws as that, and may already have them laying around. I did not have the size I needed so I had to buy them.
A can of wood stain of your choice and a can of polyurethane
You can buy a 2in1 product as well. I was making this bed a two tone color so I opted to buy 2 stains and a separate polyurethane. If you have enough stain laying around from another project you'll save a few bucks.
Slats
Ok....I admit to cheating a bit here. I went to IKEA and purchased the slats for $60 dollars. I decided that buying the pre-cut, pre-bound slats would be simpler than cutting a ton of slats myself. This also allowed them to be easily pulled out when moving the bed. One could easily cut these out and affix them to the frame permanently, or bind them together.
1/2 inch dowel - 3' long -- $2
Will help hold things together
That's it for the materials
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L
(what am I going to get my sister, she has a bed already..