What you need to Know to Replace Bed Bolts

Secure that Rope Bed so it stays connected!

Securing the Bed - How to install bed bolts

Rope beds are held together with bed bolts. These threaded steel bolts are inserted through the bed-post and screwed into a nut in the bed-rail.  When replacing old bed bolts: it is often necessary to replace bolt and nut as replacement bed bolt may be a different thread size than old nut.

Bed bolts

Square head bed bolts have an attached flange. Choose length according to combined depth of slot in bed frame and bed rail. Available as  6" bed bolts and 7" bed bolts, to fit various rails.

• Head of the Paxton Hardware bed bolt requires a 1" diameter x 3/4" deep hole .
• Hole to accommodate remainder of bed bolt should be slightly larger than the 3/8" thickness of the bolt.
• Length of bed bolt is determined by distance between head channel in bed post and nut location.

Bed Bolt Nuts

To install bed bolts most often requires replacing nuts in wood bed rails. Most old nuts are odd sizes and will not screw onto the 3/8-16 bolt thread. To replace this nut, in the side rails, it is necessary to remove wood plug on inside of bed rail.  

• A square mortise, is cut into each end of bed rail, on interior side.
• Nuts are positioned into the square hole which holds them in place and eliminates turning. The hole is then stopped with a wood plug to conceal the nut.
• Bolt can now be inserted, through bed post into rail where it is screwed into the nut.

Bed bolt covers

Decorative bed bolt covers provide a finished appearance to beds. Used to conceal bed bolts, these solid brass covers attach with a single pin enabling cover to easily swing out of the way when tightening or removing bed bolt.  Brass covers are available in polished and antique finishes.