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A loft bed built and decorated to look like a classic VW-style surf bus, complete with plywood wheels, a front grill, headlights, and a ladder.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform frame ends | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 39" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Platform frame sides | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 72" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Platform frame center joists | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 36" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Platform deck | 1 | 1/2" × 39" × 75" | 1/2" plywood or MDF | ☐ |
| Leg verticals | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 73" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Leg horizontals | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 17" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Leg end supports | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 39" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Upper rail, side long Cut to fit your assembled platform. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 75" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Upper rail trim, side long Cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 75" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Upper rail, mid Cut to fit. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 54 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Upper rail trim, mid Cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 54 1/2" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Upper rail, end short Cut to fit. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 42 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Upper rail trim, end short Cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 42 3/4" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Upper rail, end Cut to fit. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 43 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Upper rail trim, end Cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 43 1/2" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Base panels, small | 4 | 1/2" × 24" × 29" | 1/2" plywood or MDF | ☐ |
| Base panels, large | 2 | 1/2" × 43" × 29" | 1/2" plywood or MDF | ☐ |
| Ladder rails Shortest-point measurement; bottom end cut at 5° off square. | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 56 1/2" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Ladder rungs | 4 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15 1/2" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Grill uprights | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 32" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Grill crosspieces | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 9" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Wheels 16" diameter circles. | 4 | 1/2" × 16" × 16" | Plywood scrap | ☐ |
| Headlights, large 6" diameter. | 2 | 1/2" × 6" × 6" | Plywood scrap or craft-store precut round | ☐ |
| Headlights, small 4" diameter. | 2 | 1/2" × 4" × 4" | Plywood scrap or craft-store precut round | ☐ |
| Bumpers Cut to fit the front and back of the bed. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 39" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4" to 1/2" plywood, paneling, or MDF, 4x8 sheet Decorative cover for the bus body. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 2x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 16 each | ☐ |
| 1x3 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 5 each | ☐ |
| 1x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 3 each | ☐ |
| 1x6 board, 10 ft (Pine) | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x2 board, 8 ft (Pine) For the front grill. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Lag bolts, 4" Attaches the bed deck to the legs so it stays removable; 3" screws work if you don't need to disassemble it. | 8 each | ☐ |
| Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2" | 80 each | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 100 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" | 40 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 8 oz | ☐ |
| Plywood scrap Leftover offcuts from the sheet goods above, for the wheels. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Plywood scrap or craft-store precut round For the headlight rounds. | 4 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.