King-Size Bed Frame

Materials/tools:

six 3/4" maple plywood at 6-3/4" x 80-1/2" verticals for I and U beams
sixteen 3/4" maple plywood at 1-1/2" x 80-1/2" caps for I and U beams
two 3/4" maple plywood at 8-1/4" x 82" center verticals of bed
four 3/4" maple plywood at 8-1/4" x 38" facing over I beams
two 3" maple plywood at 10" x 96" side trim
one 3" maple plywood at 10" x 79" footer trim
one 3" maple plywood at 2" x 79" header trim
two 1" maple plywood at 29-3/4" x 88" end platforms
one 1" maple plywood at 25-1/2" x 88" center platform
measuring tape
safety goggles
nail gun
2" nails
countersink screws
drill
carpenter's glue
table saw

1. First thing to build for the bed is the cross section. Start by building four I beams. Take your caps and place them over the center of each end of the vertical piece. When you look at these from the side, they form an "I" shape (figure A). Set two of these I-beams aside.

2. Make two U beams by adding your caps to the vertical pieces, only this time, make sure the caps are flush to one side. When you look at these from the side, they form an "U" shape. Set one of the U beams to the side.

3. Now it’s time to start putting the frame together. You will be building the bed frame in two separate pieces, so it will be easier to move to the bedroom. Lay the I and U beams out with the U beam on the end, flush side facing outwards. Place an I beam 11-1/4 inches from the U beam, and then take the second I beam and place it 12-1/2 inches on center from that (figure B).

4. Take one of your facing beams and place it across the end of your I and U beams, securing with glue and nails. Repeat at the opposite end.

5. Next, take two cap pieces and attach between the two facing beams, one on top and one on bottom.

6. Take your center vertical piece and attach it to the open end, securing it to the two cap pieces you just added.

7. Now repeat the above steps to make your second matching frame. Paint the outside of the frame your desired color.

9. Cut out your platform pieces and attach the side platforms to both frame pieces using countersink screws. Paint the edges of your platforms.

10. Now it’s time to assemble your bed frame. Add your trim by placing the rabbet cut over the edge of the platform, making the trim flush with the platform. The trim should stick out 6 inches from the foot of the bed frame. Drill pilot holes from underneath the trim and attach with countersink screws (figure D).

11. Once the trim is attached, take your two frame pieces and attach together in the center using countersink screws.

12. To finish this project up, put the center platform in place and attaching using countersink screws.