Storage or Trundle Bed
Having family or friends over for the holidays and need extra sleeping space? An ideal solution, even in a small cottage, is a bed that slides under an existing one. Sometimes called a trundle or storage bed, this convenient piece of furniture can be stored away until ready for use. You can put one together in just an afternoon. Here's how. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Assemble your hardware and cut the wood pieces. Do a basic layout of the four outer pieces of wood. Lay the two shorter pieces on either end and the two longer pieces on the sides.
2. Screw the four boards together, with the two shorter ones at either end. Pre-drill and sink three 1 1/4" screws at each corner, with the end pieces sitting on the inside. For a finished look, countersink pilot holes so the screws sit in the wood. Square off the bed frame by measuring from corner to corner and matching the measurements by shifting the wood. Temporarily secure the frame with 12-inch pieces of wood screwed from side to side across the corners.
3. Install the four gusset angles into the corners using the #8 3/4" screws. Screw in eight of the angle stops, even with the floor, one on either end and two on each side, centered. Use the same #8 3/4" screws to attach them. This will form a base for the plywood to lie on securely. Trim the piece of plywood on the corners by about 1/4 of an inch so that it will fit over the gusset angles.
4. Lay the plywood in the frame, on the angle stops. Place the other eight angle stops in at the sides of each corner, about 2 inches back from the corner. Screw them in using the #8 3/4 inch screws. Flip the whole frame over and screw in the other angle stops you put in previously. Install the casters to each corner. Drill your holes about 3 inches in from each side and attach the casters using the fender washers and the hex nuts.
5. Paint the frame to match the bed it will be sliding under. If the bed is a wood finish, then match the finish with a polyurethane coating. After drying thoroughly, attach the plastic super slides to each of the sides, and the optional drawer pulls on the side that will be facing the front from under the bed.
6. Install a standard-size twin mattress and slide it under the bed. There is no need for a box spring as the space is limited under the bed.
Tags: angle stops, each corner, about inches, each side, eight angle, eight angle stops, from corner
