Replies

1. 
   PeteMohr | Oct 19, 2010 07:40am | #1

   http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm

2. 
   sapwood | Oct 19, 2010 11:50am | #2

   I am both an engineer and not too shabby at math. But for this sort of analysis I simply go with experience, my gut, and trial and error. My own king size bed has a center support that is 1 3/4 x 6, poplar. I arrived at these dimensions by looking at my lumber supply and seeing a board of that size. I placed it over two low blocks, put all my weight on it in the center and noted that it didn't deflect too much. I figured that I'd add the center foot if needed... its that easy. 

   To "engineer" a beam for this application is rather futile. There are simply too many variables. And when the solution can be had by simply adding a center foot, why bother to stress over it. Actually, the center foot will save you quite a bit of material. A much smaller support beam is necessary for a span of only 40".

1. 
   DougGF | Oct 19, 2010 12:02pm | #3

   Thanks - I love your approach.  You must be the only practical engineer alive LOL.  Your approach was my intended fallback if I  couldn't find a more elegant solution. 

   Doug

3. 
   roc | Oct 19, 2010 04:36pm | #4

   I used to build very fancy high end steel designer beds

   > (does the ) center support  ( ON A KING SIZE ) running from the foot to head needs to be supported from the floor in mid- span< 

   Yes.

   Simple eh ?

   The commercial beds are.  Ours were and we used some seriously large angle for the side rails.

   The thing is you don't know the size of the hinys that will use it in the future and just what sort of gymnastics they will be performing.  IF you know what I mean.

    

   
1. 
   sapwood | Oct 20, 2010 12:46am | #6

   a matter of opinion, I guess

   My bed doesn't have a center support leg and I don't think it needs it. 

   so there...

   and I don't care what commercial beds have 

4. 
   DonStephan | Oct 19, 2010 09:07pm | #5

   Should there ever be a warranty question on the mattress/springs, the lack of a center support might be used to invalidate any warranty.

5. 
   roc | Oct 20, 2010 01:08am | #7

   Ah

   You and your wife (and who ever else you have sleep with you two ( hey could be a scared child )) must not have a lot of junk in the trunk. ( : )

   PS: god help ya if you get a dig O fat dog.

   ( Oops )

1. 
   RalphBarker | Oct 20, 2010 11:13am | #8

   trunks and junk

   I stacked up three Starrett granite reference plates as the center support under my bed. Some things need to be done with precision, ya know.

1. 
   swenson | Oct 20, 2010 02:12pm | #9

   stacked up Starrett granite

   I stacked up books under the center of a broken king sized bed in a bed and breakfast hotel once.  The problem with king sized is there are two separate box springs and support is a must.  When I built our king sized bed I put in three center to floor supports just to be sure.  Had to shorten them twice because it was hard to calculate how much the carpet and padding underneath would compress.