How to make a Sturdy Bunk Bed

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By Codebreak
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make a Sturdy Bunk Bed

The economy doesn’t seem to get any better. You are low on budget and kids need new beds. The best option is to make your own bunk bed. You can do one of 2 things buy the plans to build it. You can easily buy for 10 dollars online with the hardware kit. Little to no woodworking experience is necessary. The second option would be to build it yourself. What to do?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1st option:
Circular saw
Electric drill
power sander
hand tools
Lumber
2nd options:
1 helper for heavy lifting
2 mattresses
16 straight boards
12 boards measuring 2x6 in x 6ft long
8 boards 2x8 In x6 ft long
1 board 1x4 In x8 ft long
2 quarter in pieces of plywood 1 In less than 3 x6 ft
Pencil
Level
Tape measure
A ratchet
Circular saw
Drill bit a quarter in
52 3 In long Carriage bolt screws
4 1 ½ In long carriage bolts
4 6 In spikes (to anchor top bunk temporarily)
4 1 In carriage bolts
L-shaped brackets to hold
1x4 In board
Child safe varnish or paint
Sandpaper
A wrench

Step 1

In this case a layout on paper, a drawing will be needed. Buy 2 standard mattresses 3 ft wide and 6 ft long.
Step 2

Make 2 frames for the mattresses. For the ends use 4 8 in boards 3 ft long. For the sides cut the 8 inch board to 6 ft 6 in long. At the end of the long board drill 2 holes an in from the end on top and bottom. Place boards over an upright 3 ft cut board and put the pencil through the hole, showing where the hole should be drilled on the inner board. Screw the carriage bolts in with the ratchet.
Step 3

Make sure the long boards are outside the short boards. Before you continue measure the length of the mattress and compare it to the length of the frame. If it’s just an inch off just keep drilling and bolting the remaining boards if is too long just cut the ends.
Step 4

Now drill holes and screw the 3 ft long 2x6 lengths flat across the bottom edge. You do this on both frames and you now have the 2 frames for your mattresses.
Step 5

Next you take 4 2x6 ft boards, measure up one ft and drill 3 holes in a triangular shape at one end and measure 2 ft from the other end and drill 3 triangular holes. Tip one frame on its side and screw the bolts at the one ft mark, make sure the long board is level and perpendicular. This frame is going to be very heavy.
Step 6

Your helper should aid you once screwed in, flip it over and screw in the other side exactly the same way. When you have the holes drilled for the top frame, get your helper to aid you to hoist the second frame on the top, and drive a spike in each hole about an inch to hold it until you can screw in the carriage bolts. Once you have 2 bolts in each corner, pull out the spikes and continue with the final bolts. Your frame is complete.
Step 7

Finally, install the 2 brackets to hold the safety board. Check for rough edges and sand them. Stain or paint the frame once dried put the plywood on the bottom of the mattress area, and the mattress over the top. Buy or built a ladder to attach and you are done.