How to Build Bunk Bed Parts

This article is directed towards woodworkers, who wish to replace a wooden component of a broken bunk bed. What you need to do is to take apart the bed remove the broken piece and then make a suitable reproduction. With some basic carpentry skills and a few simple power tools this task might be easier than one might think. Read on to learn how to build bunk bed parts.

Things You'll Need

• A circular saw
• Safety glasses
• Table saw
• Sawhorses
• Wood
• Hardware

Instructions

1. Isolate the problem. Most likely the problem is quite apparent whether it be a broken wooden slat, which supports the mattress, or a cracked headboard that is merely decorative. Once the problem is isolated, then you can study the problem to see if there is an easy solution. It is always a good idea to approach a repair problem with the attitude that the solution is simple and easy to find.

2. Remove the springs (or box springs) and mattress and closely examine the damaged piece to see if it can easily be removed from the bed. If the problem is in the mattress, you might consider replacement, but if the wooden structure of the box spring is damaged, then turning the box spring over and pulling apart the cloth covering on the bottom is a viable option. You might find a piece of broken wood that can be replaced or repaired.

3. Examine the frame of the bed to see how the bed is put together. Chances are that unless your bed is an antique, it will come apart in some sort of fashion. Often there are screws or bolts with allen heads that hold the bed together. Other beds just fit together by means of interlocking wood and metal parts.

4. Pull the bed apart and put the broken piece on a pair of sawhorses. If the bed is made of wood, then look to see if the piece can be fixed by using carpenter’s glue and wood screws. If the piece is structural, then this may not be a good option. However, there is a good chance that a vertical piece of the bed frame can be successfully repaired. If the bed is metal and a major crack develops in the frame, you best choice might be to replace the entire bed, although it is possible to find a custom welder, who can reasonably repair such a piece.

5. Consider making a new wooden part to replace the damaged one. Someone with experience using a table saw may be able to accomplish this successfully. Before starting the new piece, closely examine whatever pieces of metal hardware that may exist to see if they can be simply removed and transferred or even replaced. If the piece you are replacing is of simple construction, then you might consider using a circular saw to make another piece. If that is the case you can carry out the operation right on a pair of sawhorses.

6. Put the bed back together and check everything carefully to insure that the bed is tight and safe.

7. Refinish or paint the part to match the rest of the bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Think positive. Sometimes a problem that is visually quite obvious can easily be fixed with a simple repair. Always look first for the less-complicated solution at the initial onset of your examination.

• Use safety glasses and exert caution when cutting wood with a table saw or circular saw.