How do I Build Bed Slats to Replace a Water Bed?
- 1). Remove the water bed mattress from your bed frame. Inspect the remaining frame. If there is a bottom to the frame, such as a large board covering the entire bottom of the frame like a shelf, remove this from the frame. Use the screwdriver to release the board from the bed frame. If it is all one piece, then you may have to saw the piece away from the rest of the frame. Sand all edges to make it smooth.
- 2). Measure the distance between the sides of the bed frame. Measure the distance between the head and foot boards as well. Write the measurements down.
- 3). Check to see if there is a lip on either side of the frame where the bed slats can rest. It is likely that there will not be a lip. If there is not, measure the length of each side of the bed frame. Cut a piece of wood 1 inch thick and as long as the sides of the bed frame. Sand the edges to make it smooth. Screw the board into the side pieces of the frame to make a lip on either side of the bed.
- 4). Determine how many bed slats you need. You need slats to sit about 6 inches apart throughout the length of the bed frame. Once you know how many slats you need, cut that many slats from the 2-by-4 boards equaling the width of the bed frame.
- 5). Place the slats over the lip on each side of the bed. Screw the slats to the lips using the power screwdriver. Make sure you set each slat about 6 inches away from the previous slat.
- 6). Place the box spring on top of the bed slats. If you use a dust ruffle, put that in place over the box spring. Place the mattress over the box spring. Make the bed with your sheets and blankets.
