Barrel nut for Bed rail question

[sscherin]

I'm ready to drill the new bed rails for the barrel nuts

How far from the end of the rail should I put the barrel nuts?

The rail is 5.5" x 3/4 poplar
2 bolts on each end of the rail that bolt through the headboard.

I was thinking it should be more than the thickness of the rail (3/4") as a minimum and planned to go with 1"

[chopnhack]

I'm ready to drill the new bed rails for the barrel nuts

How far from the end of the rail should I put the barrel nuts?

The rail is 5.5" x 3/4 poplar
2 bolts on each end of the rail that bolt through the headboard.

I was thinking it should be more than the thickness of the rail (3/4") as a minimum and planned to go with 1"

This will depend on the length of the bolt. Are you reusing the old bolts?

[LCHIEN]

1" sounds reasonable.
make sure your bolts are long enough, or not too long.
too long = change bolt or cut bolt or move hole back. or drill bolt hole extra deep past barrel nut hole.
too short = get longer bolt, countersink post, or move barrel nut hole closer to end.

Countersinking the post a bit may not be bad, it hides the head from view from the side.

[sscherin]

I ordered a set of bronze finish 4 3/4" connector bolts from Rockler.

The 3 1/2" bolts would only give me 3/4" into the rail.
1-1.5" from the end should work.
Guess I better wait to drill until they arrive so I can see how much thread I have to work with.

[cabinetman]

I ordered a set of bronze finish 4 3/4" connector bolts from Rockler.

The 3 1/2" bolts would only give me 3/4" into the rail.
1-1.5" from the end should work.
Guess I better wait to drill until they arrive so I can see how much thread I have to work with.

If you can get the bolt into the whole nut would be best.

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[LCHIEN]

if they're a bit short and you have 4x4 posts in the headboard, you can easily countersink the head an inch and not have any problems, this will give the bolt an extra inch reach.

[cabinetman]

Which hardware from Rockler did you order? Link"?


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[sscherin]

These ones..
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...8&site=ROCKLER

Same size bolts and configuration my son's loft bed came with so I trust it.

[dbhost]

Not sure about where you live, but most Ace Hardware retailers near me carry "Hillman Fastener" products, in their specialty fastener bins, they should have a range of captive nuts, barrel nuts, connector bolts etc... for beds. As I recall they jump in 1/2" increments.

As far as the distance from the end is concerned, I personally would want at least 1" from the end of the rail, to the beginning of the bore for the barrel nut. I would be worried about not having enough resistance pulling against long grain with anything thinner than 1".

[cabinetman]

These ones..
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...8&site=ROCKLER

Same size bolts and configuration my son's loft bed came with so I trust it.

I thought you were using the barrel type nut/bolt, not the capped connector bolts.

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[sscherin]

The connector bolts work fine with the barrel/dowel nuts. I have had a few beds that use that setup.

I did try Ace and a fastener dealer for the connector bolts.. They have them but only up to 3" long.

[LCHIEN]

probably a standard bolt thread and dia. Maybe 1/4-20.
The head is different but a hex head bolt sould work and can be gotten to longer lengths at any hardware store. Like I said earlier, you can countersink the bolt head a bit to hide it.

[cabinetman]

Th head design of the connector bolts are designed to be decorative.

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[LCHIEN]

countersink it and then plug it if you need to hide the head.

[cabinetman]

If connector bolts/caps were used before. were they left exposed?

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