Replies

1. 
   LarryPile | Oct 06, 2003 08:56pm | #1

   Hi Ron.

   I'm building a Queen-sized Mission style bed as we speak.  Toward that end, I measured another bed that fit the mattress and box springs that I'm using...although those dimensions should be standard.

   Once the bed is finished..the side rails, head board and foot board, I'll use scrap wood to build the mattress support pieces that will screw tot he side rails...I'll also add removable cross-rails to support the mattress, probably with a center support that goes to the floor... 

   Good luck.  My e-mail is [email protected] if you'd like to "talk"

   L~

   Here is what I'm building off of:

   60" inside width – inside of frame rail – inside of frame rail

   81.5" inside length – from inside of leg to inside of leg

   50" Headboard height from floor to top of headboard

   26" Footboard height from floor to top of footboard

   7" Floor clearance – from floor to bottom of rails

   22" Floor clearance – from floor to bottom of headboard

   5" Floor clearance – from floor to bottom of footboard

   2" X 3" (3" wide as look at bed from headboard) Post dimensions

   18" Mattress Thickness

1. 
   ron61 | Oct 07, 2003 01:17am | #2

   For Queen size sounds like you are making it a snug fit around your box springs.

   I want most of my box springs to sit down inside my 6 in. tall rails leaving about 4 in. of the box springs above the rails . I have a comb. height of box spring and mattress of 21 in. and want room under the bed for like the  roll out storage boxes thing.

   I thought that I need to maybe leave some room around the box springs . I don't know what to call those frilly  things they put on the box springs .

    Heck with the way I'm making the bed I don't think one of those frilly things would work any how. 

   On your Head Board - how far below the top of the mattress did  top section of the Head Board extend?

   ThanksWho Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins

1. 
   SgianDubh | Oct 07, 2003 03:14am | #3

   Ron, the box spring is just a means to support a  mattress at a particular height. Apart from that it serves no real purpose, but it does waste space-- a properly made and sprung mattress will work perfectly effectively if sat on a floor, or any other flat surface.

   You could omit the box spring entirely and put some slats spanning from one side rail to the other Lay the mattress directly on top of the slats. That way you'll leave some space under the bed to maybe add some storage.

   At 60"wide X 80"long you've got an American Queen size mattress which if you go with slats would benefit from a central rail running from the headboard to the footboard to stiffen them-- hardware is readily available for this additional support. Space the slats about 1-1/2"apart, and use material for the slats about 2-1/2"+ wide X about 3/4"to 1" thick. Poplar is more than strong enough, and the pre-milled stuff from lumber suppliers is convenient. The slats just need a means of positively spacing them, and there are numerous ways of doing so.

   Set the slats towards the bottom edge of the side rails, and the rails, headboard, and footboard will act as the mattress retainer. Along the sides allow about 1-/2" or two inches of space for bedding and reaching in to tuck sheets, etc..

   At the footbord end, you can create a space for downie's and the like to hang down neatly between the end of the mattress and the footboard by making one of the slats nearest the footboard into a profile of an upside down T.

   Beyond the upside down T and the footboard you can leave 3"or 4" of space for the bedcovers to hang down without becoming crushed and wrinkled.

   No doubt there'll be some disquiet in some quarters because some people believe a box spring is an essential element in a bed, which is really not the case.

   As to mattress height, there is no perfect height, or specified height. I and my wife like a high set mattress to climb up into and out of. Others like a low mattress, even one set on the floor, and some really like a bunk bed with a ladder to climb-- make the height whatever you and your partner (if you have one) prefer. Slainte. 

   Website

1. 
   ron61 | Oct 09, 2003 07:47am | #4

   I really want to build a Old Traditional frame not for sure but wasn't the older beds just a mattress? 

   Omitting the box springs is something I have been thinking about.

   The frame will be for a Nautilus air bed - they recommend that you use their foundation { box springs}and not a regular box springs or If you have a water bed foundation that will work fine with just the air mattress.

   I think I want the mattress height 25-28 inches . The air mattress is 11 1/2 tall - I'm thinking If instead of slats using 3/4 plywood with cleats on the rails covering the entire bottom and using a water bed liner to protect the mattress.

   I want the mattress to sit down inside the rails as little as possible but enough not to slide out of the rails.

   That would probably help give it a more Traditional look ? I wish I could find Old bed to look at on the web with out  box springs so I could get the proportions right.

   Ron

   Who Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins

   Edited 10/9/2003 12:48:50 AM ET by Ron

1. 
   SgianDubh | Oct 09, 2003 09:44pm | #5

   Ron, Isn't that the bed they advertise on TV that just rolls out on the floor and inflates from a wee electric pump? I thought that was meant to be used just as an emergency spare bed. Maybe I'm mixing it up with another brand? If it is the bed I'm thinking of, I wasn't aware that it came with a special box spring of its own.

   I really don't have any experience regarding this type of air inflated mattress, but my best guess would be that it could be set on maybe 6- 10 slats spanning from side rail to side rail that are covered with a flat sheet of plywood, MDF, or particleboard. This would reduce the chance of localised pressure points and sharp edges puncturing the thing.

   Bearers mounted on the inside face of the rails, headboard and footboard could be set at any height that prevents the mattress from sliding out of position. If the bottom of the mattress is set below the top edge of the side rail by 1-1/2"to 2" this should be enough to hold it in place. 

   Bear in mind that I said I have no real experience with this kind of mattress, so I may be talking complete rubbish, ha, ha. Slainte.Website

2. 
   ron61 | Oct 10, 2003 03:23am | #6

   No its not the mattress you are thinking of but they do advertise on TV. It is a Natutilus Sleep System similar to the Select Comfort . Pricey just the mattress a Queen is about $2300. 00

   I hear that they are one of the best Beds for your back and If you have trouble sleeping.

   check them out

   http://www.instantcomfort.com/default.asp

   I wanted a King size but I just do not have the room so going with Queen size

   Thanks for the help it will get me started on a design.

   Who Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins