Bunk bed racking

[Ken Pywell]

A number of years ago I built bunk beds for the kids. Now the beds are in my daughters room. The beds rack somewhat and I would like to stiffen them a bit. It is an inline bunk. Any ideas for stiffening the beds. Small gusset plates? Obviously, I would like to keep it looking somewhat pleasing. Thanks!
Ken

[Ken Pywell]

Sorry, thought I was upstairs!
Ken

[Jim Becker]

For minimal visual impact, consider cross braces in the back made of cable and turnbuckles.

[Brent Beelby]

I had the same problem with the bunkbed I had built. I didn't want to use cross braces at the back, like Jim has sugested because I wanted to be able to move the bed around in the room...therefore there could'nt be a front or back to the bed.

Lee Valley sells very nice and quite decorative 'cast steel shelf brackets'. Once I installed them, it almost completely eliminated racking. Check them out It worked for me.

Cheers, Brent

[Ken Pywell]

Jim,
I agree, the cable would be less obtrusive than what I originally had planned but I have visions of my daughter, somehow getting her hair stuck in it.

Brent,
Hmmm, you might have something there. I'll look into it!

Thanks guys!
Ken

[Derek Cohen]

Ken

With my son's loft bed, which was made out of 3"x3" posts and 4" x 2" stretchers, there was some racking. I wanted to keep the look clean, so instead of bracing, I bolted one side to the wall. This made it very solid.

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Regards from Perth

Derek