Replies

1. 
   jet | May 31, 2005 04:37pm | #1

   LeeValley.com has the hardware and the plans for sale.

   "Sir! You are drunk!"

   "Madam! You are ugly, and tomorrow I shall be sober!!"  Winston Churchill

2. 
   jhausch | May 31, 2005 07:18pm | #2

   I would buy the guts from Murphy Bed and build around it.  I would also look at those sites for inspiration and guidelines.  I've even seen some Murphy showrooms, too (in FL).

   I really liked mine (king size guts, custom surround), but the springs and such are a real, heavy-duty, engineered ####'y.  I would not try to built that myself.

   PS - my design had a "soffit" with some lights in it that shown down on a picture (attached at all four corners, not just hanging)  The soffit was the bed's outer leg when down.  I like that better than the big doors to hide the bed.  The integral couches are pretty cool, too.

   Google:  Murphy Bed

3. 
   UBuildIt | May 31, 2005 08:37pm | #3

   We made one a couple of years back. Love It! The mechanism is available through Create A Bed. It's very cool, but spendy. You can use their plans, be modified them a little. We got the hardware from restoration hardware and replace the hardware on our desk to match. If you spring the hinges, replacements are available from Rockler.

   My mom used the same stuff, but made hers with a fold down table and mirror on the front. Ours looks like a cabinet.

   http://www.wallbed.com/

    

   Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. ~ Rumi

1. 
   timkline | Jun 01, 2005 12:27am | #7

   do you duct tape the sheets down every time you close it ?!

    carpenter in transition

1. 
   UBuildIt | Jun 01, 2005 01:16am | #9

   We did a little workaround! We took wide elastic loops and attached them to the board that goes under the mattress. They loop up and over the lower corners of the mattress. Keeps the sheet/comforter on when the bed is raised. =) Or, you can buy queen sheets for a full murphy and tuck the dickens out of them. 

   Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. ~ Rumi

1. 
   arrowshooter | Jun 01, 2005 03:01am | #10

   Thank all of you for the replys I'll go back and check out the web sites you posted. 

    

4. 
   OldHouseFan | May 31, 2005 09:34pm | #4

   I would take a look at Off The Wall Beds. They aren't a DIY place, but I like their beds because they have both mattress and box spring.

5. 
   aimless | May 31, 2005 09:43pm | #5

   I like this design since it puts the space to good use. I've never seen it in person, but seems like a good approach:

   http://www.inovallc.com/

1. 
   Sancho | May 31, 2005 10:14pm | #6

   workbenth just had a article on building one. Plans ,Places to buy the hardware and everything you'd need.  

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6. 
   DANL | Jun 01, 2005 12:48am | #8

   You can get the Murphy bed mechanism and bookcase plans for it from Rockler--      1-800-279-4441 or http://www.rockler.com

   Van Dyke's Restorers also has Murphy bed mechanisms-- http://www.vandykes.com

    

7. 
   BruceM16 | Jun 01, 2005 03:20am | #11

   I'm planning on building one for our combination guest bedroom/office.

   We've looked at several local retailers, from simple frame assemblies to full bookcase cabinets...all very nice, but the costs have been prohibative....low of $1,200-$1,300 to upwards of $3,000.

   I've noticed that there are spring loaded and hydraulic counterbalancing mechanisms. Also, there seem to be those that anchor themselves to the wall vs. those that anchor to the floor. In either case, some planning at the time of framing would likely be quite helpful.

   Take a look at ebay. There are several distributors of the spring assemblies and frames at what seem to be reasonable prices.

   BruceM