DIY Bunk Bed. Easy, Strong, Inexpensive.
Build article: jayscustomcreations.com/?p=7577
Plans: jayscustomcreations.com/downlo...
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Music by Jason Shaw at
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Gyokucho 372 japanese pull saw - amzn.to/1TgnE9i
Irwin Marples 10" blade - amzn.to/1klkIIr
Kreg K4 - amzn.to/1V4LTGM
Kreg DB210 pocket hole machine - amzn.to/1pFvmwU
Kreg Mini - amzn.to/1phH3cQ
Marble router bit or drill bit - bit.ly/1HIAZCA
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Milwaukee plunge router - amzn.to/2gSr5Ci
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SawStop titanium series blade - amzn.to/1OQUXbr
Scraper BAHCO - amzn.to/1PTR4Ie
12" speed square - amzn.to/1QY7BKg
Spiral router bits - amzn.to/2BnOINX
T-bevel (bevel gauge) - amzn.to/2eYLB2N
Table top hold down clips - amzn.to/2oP1wtw
Tudor brown briwax - amzn.to/1TnDPxC
Wax brush wheel for drill - amzn.to/1PtRYLi
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I'm looking at your garage and it just reminds me of my garage. My husband was a great wood worker as well. Our garage was never for our cars. He passed 6 years ago from a massive heart attack. I miss the smell of the wood and watching him work. I have enjoyed this video more than you know 😊. I have a new grandson who will be moving into a bed soon. If his granpa was still here I know he would have done something the same. The difference between your garage and mine would be the Toronto Maple Leaf Flag lol. We're right across the river from Detroit. Maybe with Stevie back things will look better for the Wings☺.
I am so sorry for your lost
Pick me
Speaking woman to woman - get out in that garage and learn how to use the tools - that will be MUCH more satisfying than you know. I wish I had taken it up before the age of 50 - lol.🧡🇨🇦
Sorry for your loss but this comment was so beautiful can only imagine the love that radiated through your home 🫶🏽
اللّه پاک آپکو صبر جمیل عطا فرماۓ اور آپکی حفاظت فرماے
Please thumbs this up so everyone can see it. I put it in an annotation as well as the description but people keep asking so...A safety rail is included in the plan for those who are interested in making one of their own. I didn't include one on mine just yet. I may or may not put it on. The rail would secure to the inside of the legs the same way the bed frame does and there would be a brace in the middle.
Thumbs up and subbed! Awesome work. Nice. Clean. Simple. A project that almost anyone can do. Love it. Thank you!
Jay Bates a
Jay Bates hi tell me the type of wood you use I your videos
Jay, could these bunk beds be later converted into a loft style bed with useable work or storage/closet space below the top bed?
samuel clark. These plans could be used for a loft style bed. All you would need to do is modify the plans to remove one of the long 2x6 studs from the bottom bed frame so you can have an open area underneath the top bunk. You might want to consider reinforcing it a bit more but from my experience of building and sleeping in this bunk bed its really sturdy, even without the bottom bed frame.
it is Nov 2020, i just finished making a loft style bed according to your instruction from this video, just no bottom....my daughter LOVES it...easy, clear instructions, it took me about 12 hours because i had to wait for son to help me lift the top bed ( i made a full size) onto the legs, other than that, this was an easy inexpensive project ( wood, glue, screws, paint $198)...next is to make the bookcase stairs, daughter doesnt like the straight up and down ladder :), thank you so much for sharing your expertise, now on to some other of your videos to see what i can make :)
It's so nice to watch this type of video that's actually edited. And in a way we see every step but it's not a half hour vid. THANK YOU.
Hey Jay just want to let you know I bought your plans for these bunk beds and built them last weekend for my trailer in the poconos for my 2 boys. The measurements were spot on they came out great! So sturdy. I'm sure my boys are gonna use them for yrs to come on the weekends when we go up. Thank you really appreciate the time you took to make a great project and great prints for it as well.
Awesome. I just built two of these for the cottage. Thanks Jay. Colour coded instructions made it super easy.
This video inspired me to build per your plan for my grandson. The end result was a delight to him and a great project experience for me. I needed to transport the bed from VA to NC so I modified the plan to use bolt-on bed rails and 2x8's for each bed box to provide some extra strength. Thanks for sharing this plan, story and video.
Thank you, I needed some inspiration for my own projects and this did perfectly. You explained everything directly and clearly with no second of the video wasted. You didn't waste my time and gave me what I needed you're awesome and I will buy your plans.
you make it look so easy!! I'm still trying to learn sketchbook, I'm watching you tube to get better i love the way you use it for your builds. thank you so much for sharing!!
I grew up on a bunk bed almost exactly like that one. My Dad made back in the mid 70's and it is still in use today. Also, thanks for wearing the Wounded Warrior Project t-shirt, it is great to know you also are helping out wounded Soldiers and Veterans!
Thank you for all your hard work! I'm just found your channel a week ago and have learned so much. I really like that you keep things simple for us diy folks with limited tools. Trying to learn sketchup and your tutorials have been awesome. Keep it up.
This is one of the great bunk bed project that I came across with, and you inspired me to build one for my nephews, thank you.
Just used your plans to build one, slight mod, putting a desk below. Looks great with hidden joinery, and the young lad loves it.
That looks awesome! We've been thinking of buying the full size on the bottom and twin up top bunk bed...I can totally see a way to build it now. Great job!
Thanks very much for the video and plans - we adapted the plans to make the bunk bed to accommodate two full size mattresses instead of the two twin mattresses - just made the short boards wider and supported the mattress with a single 2x4 down the center of the bedframe (and made a cut out on each slats in the center to accommodate the center 2x4). We jumped up and down on the slats and they held. We didn't use pocket holes and instead just drilled in wood screws from the sides but most of the screws were interior screws and weren't visible anyway. This is the first thing we have ever built and it was a fun and useful project.
This is about as heavy duty as you will ever need. I love this bunk bed build. Nice job Jay! Really nice.
Fantastic build. I am in the process of making my own as a modification of yours, with an L-shaped loft attached to the side (corner of the room triple bunk bed, going to build a dresser underneath the loft) for our 3 girls. Thanks for your awesome video to help me get going with this!
This was awesome and fun to watch, I cant wait until the day I get a set up like you have in your garage. You did an amazing job!
thank you, I am just beginning and yo are so helpful youll never know.everyone says i cant do it but wood makes me happy
I used this video to help construct a bunk in my RV. Worked incredibly well. Thank you very much!!
That was a great build Jay. Your videos are always presented in an easy way to watch and follow. Thanks for sharing your project.
This is so awesome Jay, I'm gonna start a project like this but with a few changes in this design, for example, separating the upper bed so u can have twin beds, you know, maybe the kids are old enough to have a room of their own and so u can split them at any time needed, and I want to include a head rest made from a 3/4 plywood piece with a sligth rainbow type contour, just only for the pillow to not fall down between the wall and the bed itself. Muchas gracias Jay, thanks for sharing.
I love the simplicity of seemingly complicated projects. It definitely gives the viewers the "I could do that." mindset. Great work as always.
TheOomgosh Thank you. I appreciate the feedback.
What a great video. Thanks for making it. Not every one has a garage full of tools and your videos illustrate how people can make more with less.
Jay Bates Using the cut-off pieces was a brilliant idea, and I loved the smart way you collected them at the bandsaw. You have ended up with a pair of really solid beds, and I also liked the built-in ladder. Excellent design and thoughtful use of available materials.
Don Johnson Thanks for the feedback Don. Very much appreciated!
Great video. I'v watched a lot of construction or DIY videos and this one is by far the best. You do a great job of explaining what you are doing thoroughly enough to understand plus you speed up the video at the right time to make it easy to watch.
Hi Jay. I am a big fan of your DYIs, I am an architect associate, always building stuff for fun, or maybe to keep me more busy than a normal person! Anyway, keep posting your stuff , everything looks buildable with strong structures. Good Job!
Just built these over two weekends. I was mostly slowed down by the two boys “helping” we had a great time. The plans are on point. I was able to reuse some wood I got for work. The material list to buy and the cut sheet is great. All the boards are color coded, the best Lego builder can fallow the plans.
Nice beds Jay...you can have the top bunk, I was always worried about falling through, and never slept!
Dude this is absolutely brilliant. Cheers for sharing
Nice job on the build and editing is perfect. Look forward to catching more of your DIY vids.
Great job. I'm working on a steel table legs and 2/10 table top. If you look through the wood you can get some nice stuff and some cool finishes to it.
All that space in your new shop is awesome. Makes projects like this a little bit easier! Great job Jay!
Great job with a relatively simple project. Thanks for the tips on hiding pocket jig holes. I haven't said this before, but your editing technique is outstanding. Many of the videos online give a full project in all of its painfully slow (like watching paint dry) steps. You employ cuts and sped up shots that get the point across, give the detail, but do not make the audience lose interest. Keep up the great work.
SuperYtviewer Thank you very much! I appreciate the honest feedback. Thanks!
Bought the plans and built the bed with minor adjustments to make it a loft bed vs bunk. Easy to read with accurate lumber cut lengths included in the plan which minimized scrap wood. The bed is solid but, unless you're really tight on funds, just buy 1x4's for the slats. Cutting those 'rabbit ears' with a circular saw was a major PITA.
Thanks for the feedback.
i really like the dedication to simple building with simple materials despite your obvious capabilities. Takes the guess work out of it for beginners/folks on a budget.
Really fun to watch this build. Great work Jay,
I'm a custom upholstery and you really inspire me whit this bed! I'm will build my kids beds based on your job, but will have my touch on it! It will be in a year or so... I'll show the result 😉 thanks!!
I'm going to build this for sure! :) thank you very much and keep up the GREAT videos :)
Beautiful design Jay. Thanks for uploading.
Followed your video and built a queen version of your bunk bed. It turned out great. Thank you.
Thanks Jay for your BB Build, I purchased the plans and am really pleased how they came out. Your plans were flawless. Thanks, Dev
Very cool Dev. Glad to hear that and I appreciate the feedback.
Your definition of easy and my definition of easy are way different😆 I wish I could afford the awesome tools to make this. But it is very cool to watch a master in action! Thank you for sharing 😊 !
Nice bunk bed Jay. I have a crib project coming up that converts to a toddler bed and the slat idea is great, I had planned on screwing each slat in, but not anymore!
Omg, love your work dude, makes me drool. I'm gonna build one
Your methods are ingenious. Thanks for the video.
Making your own 2x2s. Nice! Also I like your bandsaw offcut catcher!
Matthew Cremona I was going to slab some from my 36" diameter Ebonly tree out back but I figured resawing some pine 2x4s would be a little more of a challenge. And yes, only the finest tools in my shop. Binford BBOC 2000.
Jay Bates It's better to just let ebony rot. Not good for much.
That was a great build Jay, nice work
I'm calling the top bunk!
John Heisz Geesh! I've ALWAYS been stuck with the bottom bunk. My brother always got the top bunk when we were growing up :(
Looks like you boys are going to have to flip for it. LOL
I always got the top bunk but I was 6 years older than my brother.
Dave Pelcher 6htggj
Simple yet the outcome looks very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Travis Skelton Thanks Travis. I appreciate it.
VERY nicely done. Thanks for the vid!
good job!! looking to build one myself and your way is my way!!
That's awesome. You couldn't dent that damn thing with an anti-tank missile...very good, heavy duty work Jay!!
This is amazing! We are looking to build bunk beds are they are so costly these days !
Great production. Well done sir!
Jay, thanks for the great video. We just completed a triple bunk bed version of your design. The bed came out just as planned and are VERY sturdy. Thanks again! Aaron
Curious, what is your ceiling height for the room you did your triple bunk in? We have a room we want to do a triple bunk in that had 9 ft ceilings.
Regular 8'. The bed is still in use and is still in great shape.
Thanks for the 7 year feedback :) Much appreciated.
Love these! Made one almost identical for my daughter except I made it into a loft with a desk underneath. Her room is small and she's "outgrowing" everything so I had to be creative with small space. Now all her friend's want me to build them one! :)
Well thought out design, great job
Thanks Mike. I appreciate it as always.
My son's bunk bed was just weak and was already starting to crack and become loose. It was time for another bee. After looking at a number be of designs I settled on this one and bought the plans. It turned out amazing. Everyone loves the bunk beds and most importantly be my kids! A thousand times stronger! Will last till college😁
Glad to hear this, Kevin! It's definitely a solid bed. That's for sure. Thanks for the feedback.
Thank you for saving our time
Just bought your plans. Thanks!
Excelente trabalho Jay!
Hi, I’ve learned a lot from your video, thanks for sharing. May I ask if you are using untreated timber or treated? Would you have concern if using treated interior framing timber? Thanks.
That's a great idea using 2x4s and the cut offs for the slats. I wish I had thought of that when I built my sons bed awhile ago. Great job!
TabLeft Thanks! I appreciate it.
Spot on dude. Nice, clean and to the point. Smart guy
lol the sound of the drill in fast motion. so intensely satisfying
Risa Rose gjjnnnncbhu u. jjo Ballistic Squid vid
Great build Jay. I do love your editing style.
April Wilkerson Thanks! I had sooooooo many errors in this one that were made during the recording process. Hopefully the next one is better.
Great project
That turned out nice! And talk about perfect timing! I was just asked to build a small lounge/play area (think short bunk bed with the mattress the size of an outdoor lounger.) They wanted me to use 2x4's , so this helped me figure out a battle plan! Thanks for the video inspiration! Haha
drumavenger83 Awesome! good luck!
Jay you are a beast - love the 2x4 series cheers from germany
My first bunk bed I built was very similar to this,screws eventually slowly got loosened, my second build I used heavy bolts inset and made wood caps...still have the beast....
I loved that you showed an option without table saw.
I built this over the summer. Super strong and solid. Well worth the minimum expense to buy his plan.
I'm trying my best to respond to everyone today so make sure you make your comment public or at least tag me in it! I haven't been able to respond to a few so far.
Are u going to stain this? And if so what color would u choose?
Awsome build btw...
Joe Walters I mentioned in the video I'm going to use vinegar, steel wool, and briwax.
Oh yea..u did. my mistake. Light or dark tone?
Out of all the videos and websites I've researched, your bunks are the most sturdy and good looking of them all. Thank you for posting this, and for leaving it up on your channel this long! I really needed this video!!! My 13 year old son is begging me for bunk beds so I'll be requesting your plans soon. I don't have a build date yet other than sometime in the next few months. Can't narrow it down any closer than that yet! And wanted to let you know I thought your fast motion drilling/screwing scenes were very entertaining! They not only kept from wasting valuable vid time, they also gave me a laugh and had a good percussion rhythm! 😉 I have a couple of questions, though, when you have a chance. How could I adapt your plans for Twin XL mattresses? And with the bit of extra length/weight, would there be any need for stronger supports? Lastly, why do no DIYers build bunk beds with 4x4 corner supports? I see them regularly premade in stores and thought they must be necessary for bunks that won't wiggle and sway. But I can't find any plans for DIY that include the use of 4x4s. What's your opinion?
man i've been watching through all of your videos.. you're the man.
I’d really love to get into woodwork. To think I hated this subject at school. It wasn’t a chosen subject, it was my kappa year so you don’t get to choose but now I wished I was mature enough. This is a great lesson. Thank you.
Nicely done Jay! I use Briwax on all my projects. First coat is light brown then I come on top with Teak. Can't wait to see the finish. Thanks
bryan batts Awesome. I'm going to do the aging process with steel wool and vinegar and top coat that with Tudor Brown Briwax. My test boards turned out nice.
Love to see you using that bandsaw. I just bought that same model yesterday and putting it together today. Any tips in putting it together?
Thanks Jay, this video was a big help.
I love watching your videos. :) You've got a great setup.
You know that sucker is heavy yet sturdy! You did a good job!
Nice bed Jay. I always enjoy your videos.
You Sir, are very talented!
Looking good Jay, thanks for the build.Have to say I do like the way you use readily available lumber for your builds that anyone of any level of skill can access. Keep up the good work.
David Coles Thanks David!
Nice job very sleek work...
Looking forward to building this for my girls! Just bought the plans.....
Great video, fantastic editing!
Top job Jay, I was wondering about the safety rail for the top bunk but I see that others have mentioned it.
Wayne Jones Yeah, I just added it in as an annotation to the video. I may or may not put mine on.
The 10$ for the instructions was definitely worth it. It made cutting down all the 2x4s far easier for the build. One thing I did change was instead of making 2x4 bed slats, I used 2x2 around the inner perimeter of the bed frame and then cut out a sheet of 3/4th inch plywood to provide a base for the mattress. Maybe it’s cheaper to use 2x4s but it was much easier with my skills and time constraints. I also used 6inch lag screws to secure the posts to the frames instead of hiding the screws. Overall, it was still cheaper than buying a bunk bed! And with the lynn seed oil I used it still ended up looking great, and it was nice and sturdy as promised!
I am building these right now. I bought the plans today, and my kids are helping me with the construction. I will let you know how it goes. I hope that you are still around, and if I have any problems along the way, that you can give me some pointers if needed. Talk to you soon...maybe...
Very nice build Jay!
Nick Ferry Thank you Sir. I appreciate it. Whos on first?
Jay Bates Precisely
Simple & sturdy. I bought an IKEA bed (wooden) for my son and did some 2x4 bracing. Now I think I'll rebuild it like this.
Nick Ferry I
Really nice simple build! Love it! Thanks for sharing, can't wait to see the finish you decide on.
McGinn's WoodShop Thanks! I think I'm just going to apply a coat or two of Awesome. That way I can't screw it up.
That pocket joiner machine is sweet!
Awesome build. Like the simpleness of the build.
Great build Jay, I'll keep saying that with all your builds, keep em coming.
Andy BravotwozeroUS Thanks Andy. I appreciate it.
very well done
I admire your work man
Thanks J
Great job
Wow your shop has come a long way since this video! I'm watching this now January 2nd 2016!1