Thread: Bed modification Q

Hi Pete,

The first thing that comes to my mind is to install a new cross rail on the bedhead at a suitable height to attach the end of that new central rail.I know this is kind of obvious but is there some reason why this can't be done?

Originally Posted by 3 toed sloth

Hi Pete,

The first thing that comes to my mind is to install a new cross rail on the bedhead at a suitable height to attach the end of that new central rail.I know this is kind of obvious but is there some reason why this can't be done?

That was one idea I had. The other was to screw on a plywood bit just in the centre with a cutout in it to hold the centre rail. A new cross rail would be more work, the central support would be uglier (but hidden so it may not matter). Just wondering if there were ideas that were easy and also attractive. I guess easy depends on how you add the extra rail. I had in mind trying to work out a way of doing a proper mortice and tenon and then finishing the rail to match the rest of the bed. If I used metal brackets and didn't care about the finish it wouldn't be very hard at all - just ugly (but agian out of sight)

peter

I have seen some beds that have a vertical piece of wood (to which the central rail attaches) attached to the lowest cross piece of the bed head.

Not the nicest looking but it would be hidden in your sitaution.

That's what I had been leaning towards. A vertical piece with a hole or a few brackets to contain the central rail. That's what I think I will do unless someone can give me a brilliant idea that would be easy and look better

thanks

peter

What's wrong with a centre piece from the bedhead down to the floor ie extra leg - wouldn't put any undue force on the bedhead as weight would be on the leg onto the floor. Attach to bedhead so as to keep it central.

I also wonder whether it was a sales pitch to try and get you to buy a whole new ensemble - but that could just be my overly suspicious nature

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I also wonder whether it was a sales pitch to try and get you to buy a whole new ensemble - but that could just be my overly suspicious nature

It's in the warranty documents that came with the mattress - warranty is void if not on a proper base, and then some definitions of what a proper base is.

We just bought a new bed and the support for the slats was just a horizontal piece of 40 x 40 with 3 support legs to the floor. This piece is then just screwed to the slats.
It doesn't join the bedhead or end at all, it is it's own independent piece.

Rod

The bed we sleep on has a centre rail, but it is laid on the flat and when we are both in there there is a slight sag in the middle, I plan to change this and put one on edge which will be much firmer. This rail is attached to a board that is screwed to the back of the bedhead in a vertical position. (it terminates just below the rail). There is a metal fitting that attaches the rail to the upright hanger. You cant see any of these fittings, and unless your bed is sitting out in the middle of the room there is absolutely no reason why it shouldnt be done like this.

When I made my sons bed I did it in a similar way except I put a rail across between the feet of the bed and attached the upright to that as well. Sometimes it is easy to overcomplicate things when they dont need to be, simple is often the best.

Donna

I'm a graduate of the 'School of Over-Engineering', the bed I'm building has a centre rail attached to the head and foot, and a central leg at around the waist position. Ugly, yet invisible works for me