Materials:
circular saw
carpenter's square
pencil
screwdriver
drill /drill bits
tape measure
pliers
socket wrench
1-1/4" finish nails
1 -1/4" lag bolts
1-1/4" wood screws
sandpaper
particle board
birch plywood
1" x 4" pine boards
1" x 2" pine boards
primer/sealer
latex satin paint
satin polyurethane
wheels with a locking mechanism
Steps:
- To create the bed you first need to assemble the platform. The lumber I chose for the outer box is a 3/4-inch birch plywood that comes in 4' x 8' sheets. Using the plywood, create an outer frame. To do this, use your circular saw (with a plywood blade) to rip the 4' x 8' sheet of plywood into 12-inch wide boards (8' long). If your lumberyard will rip your plywood for you, you may elect to do so as it will save you a step. Note: I chose birch plywood because it has a nice finish, plus it is less expensive than using precut boards out of poplar or pine.
- Using the 4 12" wide birch boards, cut two pieces to the length of 84 inches and two to the length of 60 inches. Then cut miters on both ends of the boards --to do this, measure down from each corner 12 inches and make a mark. Now draw a line from the opposite corner (on the same end) to the mark. Now cut along your line with your circular saw. As you look at each board, the left side should have a line from the bottom corner in 12 inches and up, and the right side should have a line from the bottom corner in 12 inches and up (so your board will somewhat represent a triangle when all cut). Tip: make all cuts on the rough side of the plywood, so that the good side will have a smooth cut line.
- Arrange the pieces on the floor rough side up. To help attach the four boards together, I used industrial sized wheels on casters, mounted on wood blocks. I placed wheels on all four corners and also in the center of the long sides. To mount the wheels, cut a block the length and width of the wheel base, using leftover birch plywood. Then attach each block to one of the four corners where the miters on the boards meet. Measure in three inches from the top of the top board, and 1 1/2" from the side board and place the blocks. Attach the blocks using 1 1/4" wood screws. Now attach the wheels to the block using 1 1/4" lag bolts. Find the center of the 84-inch boards, and place the wheel block 1 1/2" in from the side and attach. Do this on both sides. For extra support, use mending brackets at all four corners of the bed. Secure these from underneath.
- To give the center board support, line the inner edge of the birch board frame with 1" x 4" pine boards. Place the boards on both ends and along the sides. To allow the center board to rest securely, allow the boards to hang two inches over into the center hole. Attach all the boards with 1 1/4" wood screws.
- With a little help, flip the bed back over. Measure the inside space, and cut out a piece of 3/4-inch particle board to those measurements. Drill a hole into the center of the particle board to use as a finger hole to help lift the board into place. Insert the center board and that's the bed!
- To finish and protect your new bed, apply two coats of satin polyurethane, sanding gently between coats. For the side trim, attach 1" x 2" pine boards to the length and width of the frame. Butt joint the ends and attach with 1-1/4-inch finish nails (tip: predrill pilot holes first). Paint the trim, or simply polyurethane it.
Headboard and Bed Sizing
Many people are unsure of how large to make projects, depending on the size of bed they wish to build. Headboards are generally made to extend two to four inches out from each side of a mattress (depending on personal preference and the amount of room space). If the headboard is to be attached to the wall, there is more flexibility for the width. If a headboard is to be attached to a metal bed frame, be sure that the headboard supports are placed correctly based on the width of your particular frame. For projects such as the platform bed, be sure to add at least four inches to the length of the mattress for the finished platform size.
Mattress Sizes:
Crib: 27" x 52"
Twin: 39" x 75"
Full: 54" x 75"
Queen: 60" x 80"
King: 76" x 80"
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