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A queen platform bed with 4x4 legs and headboard/footboard panels faced in a herringbone of cedar shims. The shim art is the whole personality.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headboard panel | 1 | 3/4" × 32" × 60" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Footboard panel | 1 | 3/4" × 16" × 60" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Panel trim | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 60" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Headboard legs | 2 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 53 1/2" | 4x4 | ☐ |
| Footboard legs | 2 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 20" | 4x4 | ☐ |
| Headers | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 69" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Side rails | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 83" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Frame long rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 88 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Frame slats Cut from the 10-ft 2x4s. | 6 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 57" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood, 3/4", 4x8 sheet Headboard and footboard panels. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x3, 8 ft (Whitewood) Panel trim. | 4 each | ☐ |
| 4x4, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Headboard and footboard legs. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x6, 6 ft (Whitewood) Headers over the panels. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x12, 8 ft (Whitewood) Side rails. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Frame long rails. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 10 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Frame slats — cut 57" pieces from these. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Cedar shims (bundles) The shim-art facing. Buy extra — you'll cull for color and figure. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2" | 30 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 3" (and 4"+ lag screws if used at legs) | 24 each | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 200 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 8 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Circular Saw, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Plywood, 3/4", 4x8 sheet, 1x3, 8 ft, Cedar shims (bundles), Finish nails, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Cut the plywood sheet to 60" long x 48" wide, then rip that into the 32"-wide headboard panel and the 16"-wide footboard panel. If you have a pocket-hole jig, drill 3/4" pocket holes along the side and top edges of both panels now for attaching legs and headers later. Attach the 1x3 trim at top and bottom with finish nails from the back and glue.
This is the moment to apply the wood-shim art, while the panels are flat on a bench — laying and nailing shims is far easier horizontal than vertical. Sort the shims for color, lay your pattern, and brad them down flat.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 4x4, 8 ft, Wood screws, 3" (and 4"+ lag screws if used at legs), Wood glue
Fasten the 4x4 legs to the panels. With pocket holes, screw from the panel edge into the legs. Without: predrill through the legs into the panel using the counterbore trick — a wide hole partway to swallow the screw head, then a shaft-sized hole the rest of the way, which both hides the head and keeps the leg from splitting. A 2x2 cleat behind the panel or small metal L-brackets are equally valid ways to marry legs to panels.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x6, 6 ft, Wood screws, 3" (and 4"+ lag screws if used at legs)
Attach the 1x6 headers across the tops of the headboard and footboard. Screw them, don't just nail — over time a nailed header lifts. A few trim screws into the 4x4 legs hold well and their tiny heads are easy to hide.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig, Speed Square. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, 2x4, 10 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2"
Build the mattress support frame from the 2x4s — 1-1/2" pocket holes with 2-1/2" pocket screws, or 3" wood screws countersunk. Check it for square before you lock the last joint; a bed frame out of square telegraphs to every part above it.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x12, 8 ft, Cedar shims (bundles), Wood screws, 3" (and 4"+ lag screws if used at legs)
Attach the 1x12 side rails to the frame and to the 4x4 legs, tying the headboard and footboard together. Do any remaining shim work, sand the exposed wood, and finish. Set the mattress on the frame — the platform carries it, so no box spring is needed.