Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Eileen,

I have a full size wood 4 post bed that was my grandmother's.  I don't know how old it is but I know it's probably at least 30 years old.  It has iron bed rails with wood slats.  The problem is that one of the bed rails keeps bending out of shape.  My husband took it to an iron shop and they straightened it out but it has bent out of shape again.  Is there any remedy to reinforce the weak area or some place that may still sell these rails?  Or better yet, can another type frame/rail be used with the bed?  The rails attach into slots on the headboard and footboard.   I'd appreciate any assistance.  

Thanks!

Teri

ANSWER: Hi Teri
Nice to hear from you.
In all my years this is the first time I have ever heard of these iron bed rails bending.
Do the wooden slats fall off one side of the rail?
I have encountered this problem in the past and its easily remied by getting wide slats. I imagine your slats are under 3inches wide.
A board 6 inches wide cannot get "Kitty cornered" in the iron rails and fall out...just something to check.
Yes you could attach your head and foot board to a new iron bed frame. These are readily available.
Its fairly easy to attach these pieces to the new frame but some drilling and bolts are needed.
There is no remedy that will reinforce the iron rails you now have.
Keep me posted
Kind Regards
Eileen


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt reply!  You're right about the slats.  I will look for larger slats and have the rail straightened again.  Hopefully this will work.  I thought it was odd for the rails to bend also.  We slept on that bed for most of my childhood when visiting (we visited alot!) and it was my grandparents bed before that. We never had that problem before.  If it doesn't work this time, we will have to get a new frame.  I'm just not crazy about the idea of drilling.  I will let you know how it turns out.  

Thanks Again!

ANSWER: Hi again Terri
Try to get hardwood slats if possible.
Maple is fine but any hardwood thats the cheapest will do.
Maybe you know a local wood worker that mills his own wood.
This really has me puzzled Teri and I obsess about things like this LOL.
You say in years past this never happened. So something has changed..is it the mattress or spring by chance thats changed?
Is it a downward bend or sideways bend?
Regards
Eileen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I know what you mean by obsessing when you can't figure something out! No, it's the same mattress and boxspring.  It is bending outward, away from the bed and it's making the headboard bend forward.  My stepson slept on this bed for 3 years and I always had to make him fix the slats if one fell out.  So I don't know how long he may have been sleeping on the bed with a fallen slat.  Do you think that may have something to do with it over a period of time?

Answer
Hi again Terri
Yes its possible that this caused pressure on the rail where it should not have been.
I am hoping the wide slats will be the solution.
Also think about getting your hubby to secure the center wood slat to either side of the iron side rail to stop the outward pressure.
This will require that the iron rail be drilled but your hubby will know this can be easily done with the right drill and bit.
Then nuts and bolts to hold the slat in place.
Good Luck
Eileen