| Tools Required:
Circular saw, drill, drill bits, tape measure, pencil,
combination square, screw driver, 9/16" wrench,
adjustable wrench, chisel, wood glue, and clamps.
Do not forget safety equipment: Safety
glasses, gloves, and ear plugs.
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| Optional tools:
These will simplify construction: drill press, miter saw,
table saw (not shown). |
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| Step 1 -
Measure and cut all pieces. Most of the individual measurements
are on pages 4 and 5 of the purchased plans.
Measure and mark pieces for saw cuts (always double
check all measurements against plans). Remember: "Measure
twice, cut once!" |
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| Make sure all cuts are right angles (use
combination square). |
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| Cutting with a miter
saw will insure all cuts are at right angles. |
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| If you do not have access to a miter saw,
a circular saw will do the job. A hand saw will work,
but it may take forever. |
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| Step 2 -
Measure and mark locations for drilling holes. Most
of the individual measurements are on pages 4 and 5
of the purchased plans. Always double check
all measurement against plans. |
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| Using a drill press will
insure that all holes are at right angles. |
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| If you do not have access
to a drill press, a hand drill will work. Try to make
the holes as close to right angles as possible. (This
will make assembly easier.) |
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| Step 3 - Make the miter cuts
on the ends of the mattress support pieces. Set
the circular saw (or table saw) blade to 45 degrees. |
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Step 4 - Cut
the inside notch on the mattress support pieces.
The photos here illustrate how the plywood will rest in
this notch.
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Circular Saw Method of Cutting Notch
Set the circular saw blade depth of cut to 3/4"
for cutting out the 3/4" x 3/4" notch.
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If available also set a rip guide to a distance of
3/4" from the blade.
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Rip the mattress support on the wide side of the
board. Note: This photo shows a short piece of
2x6 being used. It is a good idea to test your saw
set up on a scrap piece of lumber before making the
cuts on your final mattress support piece.
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Rip the mattress support on the narrow side of the
board. (Be sure that the board is held securely for
this step.)
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Remove the wood from the 3/4" notch. Save this
picece of wood to use on top of the the OP
Loftbed Guardrail Side Table.
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Table Saw Method of Cutting Notch
Set the table saw blade depth of cut to 3/4"
for cutting out the 3/4" x 3/4" notch.
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Set the rip fence to a distance of 3/4" from
the blade.
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Rip the mattress support on the wide side of the
board.
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Rip the mattress support on the narrow side of the
board.
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Step 5 - Assemble the Legs
Use a 1/8" drill bit to predrill the pilot holes
in the 2x4 leg piece. Use the 1/8" diameter holes
in the 2x6 leg pieces as a guide.
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| Remove the 2x6 board that you used as a
guide and finish drilling the pilot holes in the 2x4 piece. |
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| Apply a bead of wood glue on the leg pieces
before assembling. |
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| Assemble the leg pieces with #10 x 3 1/2"
long wood screws. |
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| The left and right legs should look
like mirror images of each other when properly assembled.
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| Step 6 -
Cutout the lap joint in the X-braces
Temporarily assemble the bed to locate the lap joints
on the x-braces.
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| Make marks on both sides
of the x-braces where they cross each other. |
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| Then set the circular
saw blade depth of cut to 3/4" and make several cuts
between the marks on the x-braces. You should be able
to break out these pieces with your finger. |
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| The lap joint cutout
can then be smoothed out with a chisel. |
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| Step 7 - Assemble the center
mattress support.
To make the center mattress supports, glue the center
pieces together and draw them together with #8 x 2"
flat head phillips wood screws.
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| To complete the center mattress supports,
attach the end pieces with 4 #10 x 3-1/2" flat head
phillips wood screws. |
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| Step 8 - Assemble the shelf.
To make the shelf, attach each of the two side pieces
with #10 x 3-1/2" flat head phillips wood screws.
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| Attach the top and bottom of the shelves
with #8 x 2" flat head phillips wood screws. |
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| Depending on your personal preference,
the shelves can have any shape that you choose. (Angled
and Square Cut shown.) |
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