Bed Assembly

Assembling the Pencil Post bed (see below for Farmhouse type beds.)

(I made a DVD illustrating the assembly of a pencil post bed. If I make you a bed, I will send this to you upon request.)

You will need a pair of needle nose pliers, an open end 11/16” wrench and a 5/8” open end wrench or socket wrench.

Clear an area large enough for the bed to be assembled. If the area is not carpeted then put down some blankets for padding.

Notice that all parts are labeled HL, HR, FR,FL etc. (H is for head, F is for foot)
Left and right are figured when looking at the bed from the foot of the bed. (posts are marked under the base , rails are marked a ends.)

Assemble Head board

1 Find the two head posts marked “HR” and “HL” Lay them on the floor. HL to the left and HR to the right. There should be a rail mortice facing up and one facing toward the other post.

2 Place the headboard, face up in between the posts. There will be corresponding mortices on the posts. Place the head rail in between the posts also. (The HR or HL on all of the rails will be marked rightside up as it will be when the bed is standing up.) The short cleat on this rail will be facing up when it is laying on the floor.

a insert the headboard and rail into one post. Then insert the other end of each into the remaining post.

b Remove nut from bolts. remove one washer. Leave the second washer with the bolt. Insert bolt into hole in post with one washer under bolt head.

c Insert second washer over bolt end as it enters mortice in rail. Use needle nose pliers to hold nut as your spin bolt to catch the nut.

d Tighten both bolts. Snug them up to close joint. Don’t crank them hard as you can. You may want to bang on the outside of the post at the headboard with the butt of your hand to help it close the joint. There is no fastener for the headboard proper.

Stand up assembled headboard. Lean it against the wall.

Assemble Foot board

Find foot posts, rail and blanket rail. Assemble same as head board. Stand up headboard. Lean it against the wall.

Attach left side rail to headboard Use a second person to help here.

Find long rail end marked “HL” Insert this end into left headboard post and bolt. You can leave the other end of this rail on the floor and lean the headboard to make this possible. Then tighten the bolt.

Fasten the other end of left side rail to footboard.

Insert bolt and nut but do not tighten.

Now loosen side rail bolt at head board. This will allow you to spread head and foot board enough to insert right side rail.

Insert right rail and bolt in place. Use second person here. Tighten left rail bolts. All bolts should be snug now.

For a Farm House or similar non-four post bed assembly is simpler.

1-The photo below illustrates the first rail in place and fastened. Use two people. One to hold the headboard and the other to fasten the rail.

2-Now attach the footboard to this one rail. Bolt, but do not tighten.

3- Spread free ends of foot and headboards enough to insert remaining rail. bolt, and tighten all bolts to snug up joints. Do not over tighten. Set up slats. Click here.

Note that bed bolts in the images are not yet blackened.