A Strong Bed

[securespark]

My son's bed (pine with slats and storage space under) has given up the ghost after many years and much mending.

It does get abuse: all the kids jumping on it, then at night time, we lie on it to give him a cuddle, so it ends up supporting an adult and a 6.5 stone 10 y.o.

Can you suggest any construction materials and methods for building your own bed or recommend strong ready-made beds?

Alternatively, if we buy similar again, could anyone suggest how I could reinforce the joints?

 

[conny]

The wood they use for the slats is cheap crrap.
Replace them with some good strong Beech or Willow slats. Get them cut to length and as thick as possible where they lay in side the frame. Also get them a bit wider than the originals so you can use 2 staggered screws in each side and don't leave large gaps in between them.

 

[securespark]

Conny, thanks. However, it's not the slats (they have been replaced many times!), it's the bedframe itself...

 

[imamartian]

A sheet of plywood with a decent mattress on?

 

[securespark]

OK. So how best to build a sturdy base or frame for it?

 

[wotan]

Look out for the programme

Le Salvager on Sky, English eccentric living in France, builds all sorts, he built a bed that would support an elephant.

Wotan

 

[lifesagasman]

strengthen it with 2" angle brackets

 

[conny]

Depending on how sturdy you want it and how good are you at woodwork?

If you have an enthusiasism for really having a go at making your own just google, 'Making a wooden bed'.
There are loads of links.
Alternatively, go to a shop that does a lot of wooden frame beds and have a close look at how they are constructed then decide if you could do something similar yourself.

 

[gregers]

4 brand new scaffold planks,some 4" screws and a bit of pva,jobs a gooden

 

[Lincsbodger]

As my son grew up, he wrecked three cheap beds, so i built an industrial strength one, using 6 inch x 1 inch pine, and the mattress slats were 3 inch x 1 inch. It lasted him till he was 18, and he bought himself a new posh one. I disassembled it and recycled the timber....

 

[securespark]

conny - I'm pretty shoite a woodwork, but by necessity have effected a few repairs to wooden things here & there.

I'd be far more confident adapting/ fortifying a ready made bed than building one from scratch.

LGM - 2" angle brackets: are these pretty solid?

 

[big-all]

on the beds i make the sides are 6x1" par slats are 4x1" par at 2" spacings

on doubles theres a bit off 2x1" par down the middle with a leg support at 1/3 and 2/3

 

[LastMagicBean]

I wouldn't worry too much about it secure.........

If he's ten now.........wont be long till he wont want to speak to you sensibly........ let alone cuddles.

You wont be able to do a thing right.......too old fashioned.......and your soooooooo unfair......

 

[lifesagasman]

conny - I'm pretty shoite a woodwork, but by necessity have effected a few repairs to wooden things here & there.

I'd be far more confident adapting/ fortifying a ready made bed than building one from scratch.

LGM - 2" angle brackets: are these pretty solid?

i htink you'll find that several brackets in load bearing areas will work a treat. they don't have to be mega-strong brackets, the galvo type for general joinery are good. preventing over-stress on the joints is half the battle

 

[ColJack]

being a fat git myself, my bed frame I made myself..
it has a 2x6 preimeter with 3 2x6 "joists" across ( on joist hangers ) and then a sheet of 18mm ply on top.
the legs are 4x4s notched out..

View media item 22046
2 screws where marked, and only straight cuts..
you can get the 8x4 sheet of plywood cut to size at the B&Q when you buy it, and probably the 2x6's as well..