Help for antique headboard/footboard and frame.

Question

I have an antique headboard and footboard along with the iron one-piece frame that goes with it.  My problem is that when you attach the frame to the head and footboards, the 'L' shape is upside down and there's no way to use slats or secure the mattress to the bed.  I used this bed in a former house but it's been in storage for the past 30 years so I cannot remember how it was set up before other than the bed was set up in a corner so even if the mattress slid on the frame, it wouldn't fall in or off the frame.  I can't turn the frame upside down because then the holes on the frame don't match up to the holes on the bed (there's also a little nodule that is on the frame that fits into a hole on the head and footboards).  Any one ever heard of this or have this problem?

William · Answer

A full photo of the headboard and footboard would help. Any chance you may have the headboard and footboard upside down?! The photo with the frame plate has a # 2 stamped on it that is upside down.

Linda Santo · Answer

I had a frame with the same thing.  I used decking 'L' brackets (they were about 3' wide and screwed them to the wood edges  of the box spring at the correct size for the frame.  2 on each side did the trick and even my son jumping on the bed didn't budge it.

Candy Sedden · Answer

I've seen this situation on2 beds I've owned. I believe the regular size mattress use to be smaller than today. But I also used the solution Linda mentioned with the 'L' brackets. It worked just fine.

Teresa · Answer

Based on the picture it looks like you actually have it backwards. What appears to be the foot rail in the picture should be placed as the head rail.

Mandy Brown · Answer

Are the 'nodules' the same on both ends?  If you look at the close up of the iron frame (with the #2 upside down) you'll notice there is a rounded end and a square end. The little protruberance is closer to the square end. In the picture of the head/foot board, the hole for the protruberance is closer to the rounded end by the impression left in the wood from it previously being put together.

Kay · Answer

My fault, I took a picture of the frame upside down . . . we were trying to see if the box spring would actually fit down inside the frame.  But, in answer to your question, yes, the nodules are the same on both ends . . . we've actually put the bed together the way it's supposed to be and I should've posted pictures of that.  The frame is upside down when attached to the bed and the box spring sits on top of the frame rather than down inside it so there's no way to use slats and I'm afraid the mattress/box springs are going to slide off the bed!

Norma · Answer

If you're using a queen size box/mattress I'd suggest getting a queen frame from a mattress store and affixing the head/foot boards to that. A queen frame has a center support which is needed to hold the weight of the mattress.

Susan Burgott · Answer

My solution to a similar problem is to attatch the board to the wall and push the bedframe to it. My adjustable beds made this the only solution with the headboard I own.

Help for antique headboard/footboard and frame.

Suggested Project Book

12 Brilliant Things You Can Make From Common Thrift Store Finds

Other

More

Help for antique headboard/footboard and frame.

Suggested Project Book