Making a Bed: HELP

[THeme ssaGE]

I'm making a bed for one of my scenes. Any easy instructions on how to make a bed? Thanks hauntforum

[Dr Morbius]

Use hospital corners. Stretch sheets and bedspread taught and throw pillows on top.

[Zombie-F]

I think he actually wants to know how to build a bed. If that's the case, drive around on trash day for a while... you're bound to find a mattress and/or box spring for free out in somebody's trash.

[Dr Morbius]

I think he actually wants to know how to build a bed.

Yea, I know.:D

[THeme ssaGE]

Hah I actually could use some tips on making my bed

Ya thats a good idea about driving around on trash day. But driving around wasting gas isnt that cool, wasted time is that cool either if I dont find one. Its like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I can just imagine how long I would last. Its actually scary to me to think of driving around all day and not finding a bed. Wasting an entire working day to find a bed. I'm up for the challenge though:ninja: I'll have eyes like a hawk, the patience of an owl, the will of warrior, and the instinct of a, of a....a lion or something.

[jdubbya]

Dang! I actually saw an old bed frame (one of those aluminum cot fold up jobs) at the roadside yesterday. I was half tempted to snag it but storage is tight right now and I don't have a plan to use it this year. Check thrift stores who sometimes get kids beds in. It probably wouldn't be hard to build a headboard/footboard with some side rails using scrap lumber.

[madmax]

Go to HD get you a couple 4x4 post (they are/were on sale for $5) or you can get the 3/4 round fence post ($3).

Cut 1 in half and the other one 2 1/2 feet (you'll need 2 of these)...GO back to the cut center at HD and let them cut the post for you. They don't charge..or at least they never charge me.

Get four 1x4x8 planks and cut them the length and width you want your bed. Use 2 for the rails and 2 on the ends (1 for each end...2 pieces for each end) take L brackets and mount them to the ends. One the same height as the rails (on each end) and one about 1 to 1 1/2 foot from the top of the post.

Cut a piece of plywood to fit the bed and screw or nail the plywood to the rails.

You can probably find a used bed cheaper than you can make it....look in the country peddler (that's the name of my local sell-it weekly) or the news paper

[Zombie-F]

Of course, instead of driving around, you could also always just check your local dump. They're bound to have a bed lying around there. But then, you have to think about this... do you have the room to have a bed lying around? Madmax's idea may be the best way to go.

[trishaanne]

One suggestion would be to watch your local freecycle groups. People are always giving away beds on there. Or maybe craigslist. For a bed in a scene we did last year, we had a portable cot that we used and then threw an old blow up raft from the pool on top of that, covered in sheets and blanket and voila....instant bed.

[madmax]

You could make it out of pvc, pool noodles and foam ...that's what I made my exorcist bed out of.

http://www.hauntpics.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10079/Exorcist%20Bed.WMV

[THeme ssaGE]

Really max? do you have any pictures of it?

[otherworldly]

That is one crazy video - very frightening movement! I see ugly bed frames at thrift stores for way-cheap all the time, try there?

[madmax]

I didn't take any pictures of the build and the bed was torn apart after Halloween (like most of my props). The video I posted should give you an ideal on how to make it.

Just a few pieces of PVC and a bag of tee fittings.

[Daughter of Darkness]

What about using one of those inflatable mattresses for camping or floating in the pool? Add wood posts and/or foam board frame and you can put sheets on top of it plus it would be easy to store for next year ;)

[THeme ssaGE]

Hmmm ya good suggestion darkness.

I want to be able to have actors get into to bed...so it should be pretty sturdy. I think I'll use your idea Madmax's easy intructions on a bed. Unless I spot one a couple of days before I enclose that scene, I'll probably just build one. Thanks Max!

[spokanejoe]

Goodwill, St Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army these places always have too many metal bed frames. I get them for the angle iron to make supports. Usually $2.00 to $3.00 bucks. Then if you dont want to spend on a mattress, just use plywood like madmax suggested.

[THeme ssaGE]

So I could just show up to the salvation army and they'll sell me a metal bed frame for 2/3 bucks?