This is a prototype of a low budget Murphy bed. Its going into an apartment complex that is made up of mostly studio units. New owners of the complex wanted a lower cost bed with minimal trim.
They wanted a seating area/couch. The top hinges up to allow for a huge storage area. The shelf doubles as the leg and has 2 handholes cut in to raise and lower the bed. Shelf ends need a little more work, weight balance isn't quite right as I want it to stay flat at all times.
Searching the internet a bunch of different ideas were incorporated into this queen size bed. Realizing that almost all the kits are $300 plus even with multiple order discounts I went to the McMaster catalog and ordered two gas struts, rod ends and mounting brackets. With freight $55.
I worked out strut mounting positions in AutoCad and, holy crap, it worked first time. Easy and light to lower and almost no strength needed to raise it. To simulate the mattress weigh I cut down a full sheet of 3/4 MDF and clamped all the pieces to the frame. The bed pivots on 4 door hinges.
They will paint on site. Couch cushions will be supplied by others. Comes apart quickly and simply screws to the wall studs. Hopefully about a 30 minute install. Mostly 3/4" ply, bed bottom is 1/2" baltic birch.
Going to refine it a little more to help with the assembly time. I'll post some more pictures after its installed and painted.
They wanted a seating area/couch. The top hinges up to allow for a huge storage area. The shelf doubles as the leg and has 2 handholes cut in to raise and lower the bed. Shelf ends need a little more work, weight balance isn't quite right as I want it to stay flat at all times.
Searching the internet a bunch of different ideas were incorporated into this queen size bed. Realizing that almost all the kits are $300 plus even with multiple order discounts I went to the McMaster catalog and ordered two gas struts, rod ends and mounting brackets. With freight $55.
I worked out strut mounting positions in AutoCad and, holy crap, it worked first time. Easy and light to lower and almost no strength needed to raise it. To simulate the mattress weigh I cut down a full sheet of 3/4 MDF and clamped all the pieces to the frame. The bed pivots on 4 door hinges.
They will paint on site. Couch cushions will be supplied by others. Comes apart quickly and simply screws to the wall studs. Hopefully about a 30 minute install. Mostly 3/4" ply, bed bottom is 1/2" baltic birch.
Going to refine it a little more to help with the assembly time. I'll post some more pictures after its installed and painted.
