Platform Bed with Open Storage
#8
Hello: I'm thinking about making a platform bed with plywood and with open storage on the sides.  The bed is King size.
The overall measurement of the bed is 6 ft wide by 80 inches long.   
I'm thinking of making two boxes (one for each side) and fill the middle with slats/plywood.

My question:  how should I join the plywood together. It seems like there isn't enough width (at 1/2 inch) to screw.

As you can tell, I'm not a Pro wood worker, but I do enjoy making sawdust.

Thanks for your time
Reply
#9
First, welcome.  There are several ways to join plywood to make a box, from rabbets, to butt joints with screws or brads, to biscuits, to pocket hole screws.  The simplest is probably glued butt joints with some small brads to hold things while the glue dries.   If you use small brads and pre-drill your holes, you can nail into 1/2" plywood. 

John
Reply
#10
A couple of cleats on the underside across the joint would work. you don't need much if it is well supported, just enough to prevent the plywood from shifting

My boss is a Jewish carpenter. Our DADDY owns the business.
Trying to understand some people is like trying to pick up the clean end of a turd.
Reply
#11
Welcome to the forum

This is entirely a situation where my minds eye isn't grasping how, and where you are using plywood to make two, what sound like torsion boxes? But then these boxes are going to levitate so you have open storage under them?

Not trying to be unkind, and it appears John can see what I am not, but I guess I'd need more words, or pictures/sketches.

Making a plywood platform is pretty easy usually it doesn't require any complex attachments, but making some fairly precise cuts so that the parts all fit together well. I still think a frame is going to be needed even if you don't build a torsion box to levitate the plywood up, so there is an under for "open storage".
Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya

GW
Reply
#12
Have you thought about using 1/2" plywood for the top, bottom and back of each box and 3/4" plywood for the dividers and ends?  This would make screwing the boxes together much easier. Have you looked at any on-line pictures and videos for ideas and construction techniques?  Most seem to use butt joints, glue and screws. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjWdY8HnJfs

https://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/bed...ed/project

http://www.chatfieldcourt.com/diy-platform-bed/
Reply
#13
The third video link was closest to what I have seen done in the past. Something with framework, and plywood both. That bed The first guy made was pretty slick though. If I were to do the one I linked to, I would add a face frame around it, and strongly consider doors, or drawers. Having it open where you can see so much of the framing makes it look half done to my old eyes.

http://www.chatfieldcourt.com/diy-platform-bed/
Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya

GW
Reply
#14
(04-28-2017, 10:02 PM)Steve N Wrote: The third video link was closest to what I have seen done in the past. Something with framework, and plywood both. That bed The first guy made was pretty slick though. If I were to do the one I linked to, I would add a face frame around it, and strongly consider doors, or drawers. Having it open where you can see so much of the framing makes it look half done to my old eyes.

http://www.chatfieldcourt.com/diy-platform-bed/

Agreed. That sort of construction with the wooden frame and ply is going to be super strong as you have plenty of glue / screw / nail holding area, and the ply acts as bracing for the box structure. No fancy joinery needed.

I also agree that it would look much better with a frame around the exposed ends. Drawers are an option, but would add to the cost and complexity, where some rolling storage containers will slot in there with no fuss.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)

Product Recommendations

Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.