Queen bed frame - buy or build own - ideas?

[giradman]

Hi All - our son left the house over 20+ years ago for college in Indiana - we used his old room for a general purpose/storage place - became an absolute mess!  Now ready to reconvert back into a guest bedroom - I just finished building the two end tables shown below (walnut & oak) - want to add a queen bed (will buy a mattress locally - need a new one for the master BR, so will be a double purchase) - but the bed frame is now the issue?

I've been searching online, and found one below at Tuft & Needle, but currently not available (chat indicated several months or more - don't want to wait), plus the price is $1200 - too much for a spare guest room that will rarely be used.  NOW, I could make a frame myself but would be new to me and a rather large project at my age (70+ years) - and not sure about the best 'take-down' hardware to use - I really like the one shown, i.e. would like to use hardwoods to match my end tables w/ a simple head board and just a rectangular frame.

At the moment, just looking for ideas and advice on the 'ins & outs' of such a project - I'm willing to spend maybe half of the price above but want something that is sturdy and will not squeak - thanks for any comments.  Dave

[rudedan60]

Was thinking of doing this too.  Instead I purchase the I Assemble Frame from Rockler; price is good too. http://www.rockler.com/i-semble-platform...oden-slats Though ours was a full size, it went together quite quickly and easily. My 12 year old son really likes it.   It also will fit in a frame that I may build later.  Only issue I had was the twin bed mattress; I was storing in the garage for a bit Mice decided the foam was good nesting stuff. 
I Ordered with free shipping and I got it in about 2 days, may be longer if you are further from a warehouse.  If you  decide on building a bed check out Charles Neil on using bed bolts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJC0Mz1B6aM  Those night stands are real nice too. Dan

[giradman]

Was thinking of doing this too.  Instead I purchase the I Assemble Frame from Rockler; price is good too. http://www.rockler.com/i-semble-platform...oden-slats Though ours was a full size, it went together quite quickly and easily. My 12 year old son really likes it.   It also will fit in a frame that I may build later.  Only issue I had was the twin bed mattress; I was storing in the garage for a bit Mice decided the foam was good nesting stuff. 
I Ordered with free shipping and I got it in about 2 days, may be longer if you are further from a warehouse.  If you  decide on building a bed check out Charles Neil on using bed bolts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJC0Mz1B6aM  Those night stands are real nice too. Dan

Thanks for your response - I've looked at the Rocker offerings including the I Assemble Frame mentioned - was not sure how sturdy that would be, i.e. would a queen mattress rock and squeak when getting in & out of the bed w/ that frame - any comments would be appreciated.  Thanks again - Dave

[Troywoodyard]

I recently built a copy of a bed from fine woodworking. I used rocklers blind insert nut hardware... a little fussier than bed bolts but I wanted it to be blind. It's a really solid connection.

http://www.rockler.com/bed-rail-connecti...WQEALw_wcB

[giradman]

I recently built a copy of a bed from fine woodworking.  I used rocklers blind insert nut hardware... a little fussier than bed bolts but I wanted it to be blind.  It's a really solid connection.

http://www.rockler.com/bed-rail-connecti...WQEALw_wcB

Thanks Troy........... - I'm looking at the Rockler offerings - still not sure if I want to do a build myself or buy one to put together, which would be easier for these 'ole bones' - appreciate your comments.  Dave

[Troywoodyard]

Be sure to follow the directions. You need the specialty drill bit size... and the longitudinal hole is oversized on purpose on the side rails so you can already have the nut threwded before feeding the rod thru.

I opted for stub tenons rather than the included dowels for support. Let your conscience be your guide, but I wanted sturdy.

[Troywoodyard]

I recently built a copy of a bed from fine woodworking. I used rocklers blind insert nut hardware... a little fussier than bed bolts but I wanted it to be blind. It's a really solid connection.

http://www.rockler.com/bed-rail-connecti...WQEALw_wcB

[rudedan60]

On the Rockler I-Semble frame, it is one of the sturdier frames I have put together.  The slates do not move and the steel is a socket and and insert on the metal mating part.  Then Bolted together.  We were thinking of building the storage bed like this one: http://www.rockler.com/i-semble-platform...mechanisms So I would think it is sturdy, and the frame mates up to these lifting pistons. My 12 year old is not small he is already 5' 8" and about 140 Lbs. I do not hear him moving around in the bed. By the way he just turned 12 this month. They grow to be tall in my family. The 19 year old is almost 6' 6". Dan

[ianab]

The thing about a large larger project like that is to get it broken down into the individual components. Then you know you have to make X different pieces. one or 2 at time, and stack them up for eventual assembly.  When you look at it this way, there are probably less individual pieces to make than there is in the bedside tables. OK, they are bigger, so make sure you can physically handle them etc. But those big rails are generally just a single straight piece of wood. 

As far as the hardware goes, I don't use it. I make my main pieces as laminations. This makes it easy to create big mortise and tenon joins into the head and foot boards. These can then be slotted together and secured with removable screws, or even wooden pegs if needed. The rails are laminated from the same thickness wood, so the tenons match up perfectly. 

If you are up to it, I'd build. That way you can get a matching look. The bed you posted looks to have been made from "finger jointed" wood, probably some random foreign species. OK, it's a real hardwood, but you can probably source better wood locally and do better.

[CARYinWA]

When I mead our bed I used some knock down bed hardware from Rockler.   It was still not as tight as I wanted so I screwed in angle iron in all 4 corners and it is rock solid without any squeaks.