Ill start by saying I have an engineering and design background. This bed frame is beautifully designed and each piece is perfectly made. But if you are not the patient kit building type dont buy it, or pay someone else to assemble it.
It took me 4 days to put it all together, carefully, on a smooth wood floor (carpeting might not allow pieces to easily align, so pay attention to that), stopping frequently to do other things. I also attached a piece of cardboard under each of the 4 big 3/4 thick pieces (ends and middle) resting on the floor to prevent the particleboard from scratching the floor.
The assembler must not force any screw - if its not going together easily there is something wrong - perhaps a leftover piece of particleboard in the hole, a cam or whatever in the wrong position, etc. Patience and common sense are the key. I also assembled the drawers on a piece of cardboard, cleaning it after each drawer was assembled.
Im very pleased with the finished bed frame. I will add 1/8 smooth pressed board over the slats (not the metal supports) for the mattress to rest on, and to keep the frame square so the drawer fronts always close evenly. And I will add felt cushions on the underside of the inside drawer fronts so they close silently.
Update 6/25/2012
I never got around to adding the board to keep the frame square, but a few weeks ago I used box tape to keep the slats in place and added a blanket over the slats to protect a 2 foam topper that I put under my mattress Visco2 Ventilated Mattress Enhancer) to help add flex to my (Boyd - IMNF910 - 910 Series Eco-Certified 9 Temperature Regulated Latex) mattress thats too firm for me. I bought the foam to go on top of the mattress, but it trapped too much body heat. Putting it under the mattress has worked great - I sleep in full comfort now and the raised mattress protects my knuckles when tucking the bottom sheet.
The foam topper is dense and heavy (it weighs 27 pounds) and easily holds the mattress, but gives just enough under my weight to provide comfort.
Excellent Design and Finished Assembly
Ill start by saying I have an engineering and design background. This bed frame is beautifully designed and each piece is perfectly made. But if you are not the patient kit building type dont buy it, or pay someone else to assemble it. It took me 4 days to put it all together, carefully, on a smooth wood floor (carpeting might not allow pieces to easily align, so pay attention to that), stopping frequently to do other things. I also attached a piece of cardboard under each of the 4 big 3/4 thick pieces (ends and middle) resting on the floor to prevent the particleboard from scratching the floor. The assembler must not force any screw - if its not going together easily there is something wrong - perhaps a leftover piece of particleboard in the hole, a cam or whatever in the wrong position, etc. Patience and common sense are the key. I also assembled the drawers on a piece of cardboard, cleaning it after each drawer was assembled. Im very pleased with the finished bed frame. I will add 1/8 smooth pressed board over the slats (not the metal supports) for the mattress to rest on, and to keep the frame square so the drawer fronts always close evenly. And I will add felt cushions on the underside of the inside drawer fronts so they close silently. Update 6/25/2012 I never got around to adding the board to keep the frame square, but a few weeks ago I used box tape to keep the slats in place and added a blanket over the slats to protect a 2 foam topper that I put under my mattress Visco2 Ventilated Mattress Enhancer) to help add flex to my (Boyd - IMNF910 - 910 Series Eco-Certified 9 Temperature Regulated Latex) mattress thats too firm for me. I bought the foam to go on top of the mattress, but it trapped too much body heat. Putting it under the mattress has worked great - I sleep in full comfort now and the raised mattress protects my knuckles when tucking the bottom sheet. The foam topper is dense and heavy (it weighs 27 pounds) and easily holds the mattress, but gives just enough under my weight to provide comfort.