How to Make Your Own Double Captain's Bed

Internal frame

• 1

  Cut four pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch to 14 inches in length, using the circular saw. Measure and cut a 1-inch deep notch into one end of each piece using a hacksaw, so the 2-inch wide face is cut in half on one end of the pieces. Cut two pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch to 63 inches in length. Cut a 1-inch deep notch in both ends of each piece in the same manner as before.

• 2

  Cut two pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch to 59 inches in length. Screw the end without notches of one of the 14-inch pieces to the end of one of the 59-inch lengths, using two countersunk long screws and a hammer drill with a screwdriver drill bit. Screw another end without notches of one 14-inch piece to the other end of the 59-inch length, to form a “U” shape. Repeat this process with the other 59-inch length.

• 3

  Apply wood glue to the notches on the 14-inch pieces. Fasten the 63-inch pieces to the 14-inch pieces so the notches on each piece of wood interlock. Reinforce the joints, using two more countersunk long screws per joint. You should now have two wooden rectangles.

• 4

  Cut four pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch to 22 inches in length. Screw one 22-inch piece to each corner of one of the rectangles, using a countersunk long screw. Screw the other end of each 22-inch piece to the corners of the other rectangle to form a wooden frame.

• 5

  Cut the 21 pieces of 2-inch wide by 1-inch thick hardwood to 30 inches in length, using the circular saw. Nail the first piece to one end of the wooden frame on one of the 30-inch wide by 63-inch long faces. Leave a 1-inch gap, then nail the second piece onto the frame. Continue until all 21 pieces are nailed to the frame. These are the slats the mattress rests upon.

Front Cabinet

• 6

  Cut two pieces of ¾-inch thick hardwood to 11 1/2 inches wide and 54 inches long, using the circular saw. Cut two pieces of 2-inch thick hardwood to 11 1/2 inches wide by 14 1/2 inches long. Cut one piece of ½-inch thick plywood to 54 inches long by 16 inches wide. Cut two pieces of ¾-inch thick hardwood to 25 inches long by 14 1/2 inches wide.

• 7

  Screw one piece of 2-inch thick hardwood to one end of one 11 ½-inch by 54-inch piece of hardwood, using three countersunk long screws. Screw the other piece of 2-inch thick hardwood to the other end of the same 11 ½-inch by 54 inch piece of hardwood. You should now have a “U” shape.

• 8

  Screw the second piece of 11 ½-inch by 54-inch hardwood to the open end of the “U” shape to form a wooden frame. Nail the ½-inch thick plywood sheet to one open face on the wooden frame to form the back of the cabinet. Screw two hinges to one 14 ½-inch long edge of the 14 1/2 inch by 25 inch piece of hardwood. Repeat with the other piece.

• 9

  Turn the hinged pieces of hardwood over. Fasten handles to these pieces on the opposite edge to the hinges to form the cabinet doors. Open the hinges on the doors. Hold the first door in place on the cabinet. Screw the hinges onto the cabinet so the door opens and closes easily. Repeat for the other door.

Side Shelves

• 10

  Cut two pieces of 1-inch thick hardwood to 11 1/2 inches wide by 63 inches long. Cut one piece of 1-inch thick hardwood to 11 1/2 inches wide by 61 inches long. Cut two pieces of 2-inch thick hardwood to 14 inches long by 11 1/2 inches wide. Cut one piece of ½-inch thick plywood to 63 inches long by 16 inches wide.

• 11

  Measure 6 1/2 inches down from the top of each 14-inch long piece of hardwood. Draw an 11 ½-inch line horizontally across the width of each piece. Measure 1 inch down from each line. Draw another 11 ½-inch line. Attach the 1-inch pilot bearing to the router. Cut a 1-inch wide groove between the lines on each piece of hardwood, using the router.

• 12

  Screw the first 14-inch long piece of hardwood to the left side of the first 63-inch long piece, using three countersunk long screws. Screw the second 14-inch long piece to the other end of the same 63-inch long piece, to form a “U” shape with the grooves you cut facing inwards. Screw the second 63-inch long piece to the open end of the “U” shape to form a wooden frame.

• 13

  Glue the ends of the 61-inch long piece. Slide the 61-inch long piece into the wooden frame through the grooves. Nail the ½-inch thick plywood to one open face on the wooden frame to form the back of the shelves. Repeat the entire process to build a second set of shelves.

Constructing the Bed

• 14

  Place the first set of shelves on the left side of the internal frame so the two pieces line up with one another. Fasten each end of the shelf frame onto the internal frame, using three “L” brackets per end. Repeat for the second set of shelves on the opposite side of the internal frame.

• 15

  Place the cupboard at the foot of the bed so the edges of the cupboard line up with the edges of the shelves. Fasten the cupboard to the internal frame, using three “L” brackets on each side of the frame. Cut a 1-inch thick piece of hardboard 24 inches long by 54 inches wide.

• 16

  Screw the hardboard to the opposite end of the bed to the cupboard, using three countersunk long screws through each upward piece on the internal frame to form the headboard. The captain's bed is now constructed. Varnish or paint the bed to suit the décor of the room in which it will stand.