James Miller Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 What is the best option to attach wooden pieces and be able to take them apart to put back together? I am designing and building bunk beds for the boys. The head and foot boards will each be one full piece with the rails that hold the bed the pieces you can take off and put on to move. I need them to be portable but safe, we move every few years. Would I use large long hex wood screws or would I need to install some sort of heli coil or something like it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Simple knock down bolt system. You drill the receiving side and thread in an internally threaded insert. Machine thread bolt through the rail holds it secure until you remove it. You should be able to source them locally at a big box store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Rockler and Lee Valley both sell knock down hardware for beds. I have used the ones from Lee Valley that are inlayed into the rails and posts. They work very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Tusk tenons with wedges are another option, but not very practical for beds. They need to be extra bulky to handle the stresses a bed receives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stobes21 Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Bed bolts work well but require a hole in the headboard and footboard. Or get bed rail brackets from rockler/woodcraft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Miller Posted August 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Thanks gents. I should mention I'm stationed over here in Germany. Any certain sites to buy from? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 (edited) Where in Germany? You can look up a lot of hardware styles at Rockler and see if they will ship Army Post. If not, Someone local like an OBI box store may be able to order for you. OBI is in Hamburg and a few other places. I stopped in similar near Kaiserslautern but don't remember what it was called. Terry is in the UK and speaks of Rutland. That also may be an option. Edited August 29, 2015 by C Shaffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Miller Posted August 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 I'm over in graf. I frequent OBI, I was actually there this morning. I forgot to look for the knock down bolt system. Would platte river fasteners work too? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 (edited) Those work great attaching something relatively small in depth. They don't resist racking forces by design very well. They are not typically made for bolts of hefty size. Compare that to these. http://www.rockler.com/bed-rail-connection-systemThe "nut" end is round to properly seat against a drilled round recess and is threaded for a bolt. These are doubled on the rails in my kids room. Two at the end of every rail makes them solid. The downside mentioned is the need for a decorative cover for the bolt head. This is the style I grew up around. http://www.rockler.com/bed-rail-hooksThey work well but would likely take a bit more time and draw on a wider skill set. I think Eric recently installed some. Try checking the build journals from sixth months ago or so. Edited August 29, 2015 by C Shaffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Miller Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Thanks brother. Unless you say these won't work, I think I'm going with this style. Thanks everyone for helping this newbie out! http://www.rockler.com/heavy-duty-cross-dowel-and-bolt-8-pack Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 Those ought work great for you. Welcome to the forum and thanks for you service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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