How to fix broken King bed?

[stephc]

Hi team. The side of our king bed where the leg attaches into is completely ruined. The bolts that secure the leg feed into threads that have also come unstuck. Any ideas on how we can repair this? 

[EricL]

Hello @stephc 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your king-sized bed frame.

Is the leg still functional. If it is, I propose moving the leg to a new location away from the broken section. Depending on how the leg was installed it could have used M8 Zinc Plated T Nut - 4 Pack or Taskmaster M8 x 15mm Brass Plated Curved Insert Nuts with the accompanying bolts that anchored it in place. These nuts can be installed into the bed frame by drilling pilot holes and literally being screwed into place or hammered into position.

Can you please show us what the old fittings were so that we can confirm if the ones I suggested are compatible. If neither is compatible the only other method to fix the leg to the bed frame is to drill through the frame and leg, then a use a ZENITH M10 x 60mm Hot Dip Galvanised Cup Head Bolts & Nuts - Each as an example (double check for exact fit). The cup head top can be painted to a similar colour as the bed frame.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Noyade for their recommendations.  

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @stephc 

If you need to position the leg in exactly the same spot, I would remove the broken pieces of wood and fill the cracked area with builders-bog. Then use 2 x suitable length (15-20mm longer than bed board and leg) zing-plated cup headed bolts through the outer board and leg. Then place washers and nuts.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good morning @stephc 

Is there any chance you could show us the leg that has broken off and also a photo of the other side so we can see what/ how its doing its job?

I do like @Nailbag 's suggestion if it has to go back in the same spot. 

Dave

[Noyade]

I guess that's why they call it chipboard.

I hope you weren't injured in the night @stephc. 

As above - more photos please, especially an intact leg - but the forensics indicate this is not a well designed bed frame?

[stephc]

Hi Dave-1. Thanks for your response. I’ve attached more photos. 

[stephc]

Thanks @Nailbag

[JacobZ]

Hi @stephc,

Seeing the leg, I'd definitely go with @Nailbag's approach of fixing the damage with Builder's Bog, then reattaching the leg with a couple of nuts and bolts.

Start by removing the damaged chipboard until you have a stable surface that is no longer chipping away. When the surface is stable, fill the damaged area with your Builder's Bog, allow it to dry, then give it a sand.

Being on the inside of the frame, it wouldn't be visible, but if you wanted to, you could paint it to match the timber.

You'd then drill out two holes that line up with the holes in the leg, slip your bolts through them and tighten them up with the nuts.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Your welcome @stephc 

A tip when using builders bog is to fill the space just slightly higher than required. If you have a sharp chisel, use that just as it starts to set to have off the excess. This is much easy than sanding g it back once set hard. being on the inside of the bed, you probably wont need to sand it after that as it will never been seen.

If its easy to take the side section of the bed, having that laid flat will make it easier to fill and reattached the leg.

Nailbag

[Noyade]

For me - you've torn away possibly half the thickness (19mm?) of the chipboard.

Also concerning is how far away are the three remaining legs from doing the same thing?

I would be removing the spacers, railing and corner joints for both sides and replacing the chipboard with - Pine 

Then reassemble.