DIY Bunk Bed. Easy, Strong, Inexpensive.

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Mathiston, MS 39752

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[RonDunn]

I recently purchased these plans because they looked sturdy and I originally intended it to be a loft bed that bridges over an existing full size bed and your plans we're very sturdy and with proper lower bracing would make the perfect loft. But then, after I built the ends and one twin frame, we decided that bunk beds would free up space in this small room. So then I built the lower frame as well. Your plans were very clear and detailed and made me look like I knew what I was doing, Heck, even the neighbors were impressed watching this come together, Hahaha. I wound up using a 6-in memory foam mattresses (8" mattresses would be better) and it wound up being kind of low for the railing so I added another small rail to fill the gap to catch the many stuffed animals (and children) before they roll off the edge. In hind sight, I could have shortened the tops of the leg post measurements and brought the top rail down about 3" or so and would have been probably ok but we like this look better. Then, I decided to add a cubby stair system for access and wound up removing part of the railings at the foot end for access. I think it turned out pretty good and everybody loves the set especially my granddaughter. Thanks again for some great plans and a cool project.

BTW, if you just build the bunk beds and not the stairs that I did, this is very easy to do. I have a table saw but didn't use it. The only major tool I used was my 10-in miter saw. Everything else was circular saw (with a speed square in the Lowe's parking lot cutting pieces to size and kreg accu-cut at home), a hand saw to cut the notches from the slats. The rest was router (optional if making beds only), a kreg jig, and sander. Very easy if you watch the video and read the plans. Total cost including 13x13 cubby stairs and 1.25 gallons of higher end paint and two 6" cooling gel memory foam mattresses from No kidding. 👍🏻

[debraseguin]

I'm looking at your garage and it just reminds me of my garage. My husband was a great wood worker as well. Our garage was never for our cars. He passed 6 years ago from a massive heart attack. I miss the smell of the wood and watching him work. I have enjoyed this video more than you know 😊. I have a new grandson who will be moving into a bed soon. If his granpa was still here I know he would have done something the same. The difference between your garage and mine would be the Toronto Maple Leaf Flag lol. We're right across the river from Detroit. Maybe with Stevie back things will look better for the Wings☺.

[JayBates]

I'm trying my best to respond to everyone today so make sure you make your comment public or at least tag me in it! I haven't been able to respond to a few so far.

[crystalmittens]

It's so nice to watch this type of video that's actually edited. And in a way we see every step but it's not a half hour vid. THANK YOU.

[JayBates]

Please thumbs this up so everyone can see it. I put it in an annotation as well as the description but people keep asking so...A safety rail is included in the plan for those who are interested in making one of their own. I didn't include one on mine just yet. I may or may not put it on. The rail would secure to the inside of the legs the same way the bed frame does and there would be a brace in the middle.

[davepearson]

I grew up on a bunk bed almost exactly like that one. My Dad made back in the mid 70's and it is still in use today.

Also, thanks for wearing the Wounded Warrior Project t-shirt, it is great to know you also are helping out wounded Soldiers and Veterans!

[stephenwong]

Thanks very much for the video and plans - we adapted the plans to make the bunk bed to accommodate two full size mattresses instead of the two twin mattresses - just made the short boards wider and supported the mattress with a single 2x4 down the center of the bedframe (and made a cut out on each slats in the center to accommodate the center 2x4). We jumped up and down on the slats and they held. We didn't use pocket holes and instead just drilled in wood screws from the sides but most of the screws were interior screws and weren't visible anyway. This is the first thing we have ever built and it was a fun and useful project.

[SuperYtviewer]

Great job with a relatively simple project. Thanks for the tips on hiding pocket jig holes.

 I haven't said this before, but your editing technique is outstanding.  Many of the videos online give a full project in all of its painfully slow (like watching paint dry) steps.  You employ cuts and sped up shots that get the point across, give the detail, but do not make the audience lose interest.

Keep up the great work.

[kevincjones]

My son's bunk bed was just weak and was already starting to crack and become loose.

It was time for another bee.

After looking at a number be of designs I settled on this one and bought the plans. It turned out amazing. Everyone loves the bunk beds and most importantly be my kids!

A thousand times stronger! Will last till college😁

[lenrocks]

Hey Jay just want to let you know I bought your plans for these bunk beds and built them last weekend for my trailer in the poconos for my 2 boys. The measurements were spot on they came out great! So sturdy. I'm sure my boys are gonna use them for yrs to come on the weekends when we go up. Thank you really appreciate the time you took to make a great project and great prints for it as well.

[TheOomgosh]

I love the simplicity of seemingly complicated projects.  It definitely gives the viewers the "I could do that." mindset.  Great work as always.

[kevinpooley]

I built this over the summer. Super strong and solid. Well worth the minimum expense to buy his plan.

[nullpointer]

I loved that you showed an option without table saw.

[thegalaxydreaming]

it is Nov 2020, i just finished making a loft style bed according to your instruction from this video, just no bottom....my daughter LOVES it...easy, clear instructions, it took me about 12 hours because i had to wait for son to help me lift the top bed ( i made a full size) onto the legs, other than that, this was an easy inexpensive project ( wood, glue, screws, paint $198)...next is to make the bookcase stairs, daughter doesnt like the straight up and down ladder :), thank you so much for sharing your expertise, now on to some other of your videos to see what i can make :)

[donjohnson]

Jay Bates Using the cut-off pieces was a brilliant idea, and I loved the smart way you collected them at the bandsaw.
You have ended up with a pair of really solid beds, and I also liked the built-in ladder.  Excellent design and thoughtful use of available materials.

[scottnufer]

Fantastic build. I am in the process of making my own as a modification of yours, with an L-shaped loft attached to the side (corner of the room triple bunk bed, going to build a dresser underneath the loft) for our 3 girls. Thanks for your awesome video to help me get going with this!

[ericb]

Bought the plans and built the bed with minor adjustments to make it a loft bed vs bunk. Easy to read with accurate lumber cut lengths included in the plan which minimized scrap wood.
The bed is solid but, unless you're really tight on funds, just buy 1x4's for the slats. Cutting those 'rabbit ears' with a circular saw was a major PITA.

[coalitionofrob]

Just used your plans to build one, slight mod, putting a desk below. Looks great with hidden joinery, and the young lad loves it.

[cameroncaffee]

This video inspired me to build per your plan for my grandson. The end result was a delight to him and a great project experience for me. I needed to transport the bed from VA to NC so I modified the plan to use bolt-on bed rails and 2x8's for each bed box to provide some extra strength. Thanks for sharing this plan, story and video.

[sirangus]

I used this video to help construct a bunk in my RV. Worked incredibly well. Thank you very much!!