Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Sep 29, 2005 11:23pm | #1

   I built one of these using the Rockler kit and the bed has been used regularly for more than two years now without showing any sign of distress. The directions and templates provided with the hardware make it pretty fool proof to put together. I've seen more elaborate fold-away systems more common to commercial use that looked like they would perform better over the long haul, but they cost a great deal more.

   Matt Berger

   Taunton New Media

1. 
   chrisdavis | Sep 30, 2005 02:06am | #3

   I've built a few murphy bed with that system.  Their direct link is http://www.wallbed.com or http://www.creat-a-bed.com .  I think?  I have had no problems with it.  The first one will be slow going, because you are reading thur all the directions, but after that they go faster.  No adjustment needed and they work smoothly.

1. 
   Curtis | Sep 30, 2005 04:02am | #4

   Hello

   those murphy beds are more terdishenal, have you seen the side mounted murphy Beds?

   I like those, a lot better.Just an other option. ;-)C.A.G.

1. 
   chrisdavis | Sep 30, 2005 01:36pm | #5

   The Murphy beds that open to the side do sometimes look good and seem practical, but think about you pillows.  When using it, your pillow will slide off the bed.  The only way that this won't happen is to put it in a corner, and not have any bookcases on the sides.

2. 
   SgianDubh | Sep 29, 2005 11:47pm | #2

   This one using all off-the-shelf maple vneered board materials and generally keeping to a simple unadorned style was charged out at approximately $8000 + 8.25% TX Sales Tax in 2001.

   View Image View Image

   On the other hand, this second example was made for a charge of approximately $12,500 + tax in 1997. It's a lot fancier with its broken pediment style, columnar cabinet sides that include nooks on the inside of each column, halogen lighting in the top with switches inside the nooks and a safety kill switch to prevent the bulbs setting fire to the bedding, bespoke veneered front panels laid up, and generally a more complex structure with something of an

   'arty' look about it. View Image

   In both the cases I built the beds off-site in modules, assembled them complete in my workshop to ensure they went together as they should. They were then disassembled, wrapped, delivered and installed over a two day period using two men. With large items like this you'll probably need to take careful measurements of the space available and from these dimensions create rods (story sticks) to build the bed. It's always a disaster if the built in piece is bigger than the hole available, ha, ha. For the beds to work correctly the cabinet work must be dead square, vertical, and not in winding so that the front panel fits neatly, and you need to allow for necessary shimming up at installation Lastly the bloody things need to be very firmly attached to the wall and floor-- which shouldn't be much of a surprise. Slainte.

   Richard Jones Furniture

3. 
   Rickk | Sep 30, 2005 02:14pm | #6

   Gary , I built one with framed panels,as shown in some of the info. from rockler. After building/learning one of these I would make the unit a bit more dressy.Overall it turned out good. Using Birch ply and Alder I think I got 4000.00 as part of a complete house full of new Cabinets.                            Rickk                                                                                                               

1. 
   desertmaster | Oct 02, 2005 07:10am | #7

   Thanks for all the helpful replies and especially the photos.  She has mentioned that the photos and info she has seen quoted installed prices of around $5000,  for a queen, upright folding bed,  with side cabinets, which she thought too much money.   Based on my limited research so far, I don't see how it could be done for much less. I'm looking forward to talking to her to see exactly what she has in mind. 

        I have the habit of taking on projects for less than I should charge just because I have never done something similar before and I enjoy the challenge of figguring out something new.  Trying to avoid that rrap this time.   Thanks again.     Gary

1. 
   rich1107 | Oct 02, 2005 07:29am | #8

   Maybe you could get what you need at a company like the one in the link below and add on what you need to customize and install.  This approach might offer way to make money and give the client a deal they will go for?

   http://www.disappearingwallbeds.com/

   Good luck