Wooden bed slats falling through - how do I stop it?
Question:My daughter's bed has wooden slats that keep falling through. I don't want to start screwing things together. Would a heavy duty Velcro work? If not - any suggestions?
Answers:
Best way to solve problem is to push all the supplied bed slats up to the head board end and then by some more wood strips, I think there 2x1 but check, and then measure the original slat and cut to size. This way you don't have to screw they are removable and there are no gaps so cant move anyway
Screws - sorry - only effective way to stop them moving and falling - just drill a small pilot hole thru into the frame and then screw into place.
30 mins max - if you were close by I'd do it for you - just done my son's bed recently.
Below answer is also correct BUT after time they can come loose due to the flexing of the slats
Nail them to the frame. You dont need a drill, just hammer them in. Easy!!
Yes velcro would work but it would be 4/5 times as dear as screws and 2/3 times as fiddly to do. A Hammer and panel pins would be cheapest and easiest.
I had the sam problem and in the end after having them screwed back in the wood split and I had to send the bed back.
Do a way with the slats.cut a piece of ply wood..
what about some of that no nails(glue) we had same problem but hubby did it with screws a little time consuming but it did work.
I bet you bought it from Ikea didn't you? I made my daughter's last a little longer by taking off the mattress and using bunjee cord to hold the frame together tighter and keep the slats from falling through so easily. Then i replaced the mattress. That worked for a little while. Then when those stopped holding it together i got rid of the bed and bought a regular twin size frame without a headboard or footboard from a mattress store. It was $20 new but the local thrift shop also sold used ones for $5 a set.
The plywood idea is good, but costly. Got a tape measure? Measure the width of the bed frame where the slats lay. Take 5 measurements evenly spaces from the head board to the foot board. Sum the length and purchase 1" x 6" pine at the lumberyard. Cut it to the measured lengths and install. No saw? Then take those measurements to the lumberyard and ask them to cut and label them for you.
I believe the cost would be less than the plywood and the ease of transport and setup of the bed will be retained. You may be able to get by with 4 instead 5, depending on the bed size. A tighter fit to the frame and being 6" wide will minimize the chance of them falling through.
My guess that the reason the slats are being stressed is that the bed is being jumped on or roughly used.
Hope this helps, Good Luck! :-)
As previous answers have stated,make sure that you drill a pilot hole through the wooden slats first,or otherwise you will split the ends of the timber.Don't overtighten.
Good Luck!
All the slats should be held together by some hessian strip so you do not need to screw each one just screw every second or third one screw size no more than 25mmxNo6
My brother-in-law imports furniture, so I know what you are describing. Buy a roll of carpet tape usually about 2" wide any colour,Put all the slats in place, and if necessary BUY MORE Using a glue gun or staple gun, or even small carpet tackls affix the tape to each side, You should haver no more trouble. If for some reason you have to move the bed, then the whole thing just rolls up.
ADDENDUM Drill one board in the centre and put in woodscrews to prevent flexing.
More Related Questions & Answers...