How Do I Make a Queen Frame From a King Waterbed?

When it is time to downsize the water bed from a king to a queen size, just buy the mattress. There is only a 6-inch difference between the width of the king and the queen mattresses and they are the same length. Downsizing requires two people to complete the task in a minimal amount of time. The drained water bed mattress is heavy and, if it has fiber inside, it will take two people to remove it from the room.

• 1

  Hook the drain kit to the king-size water bed mattress and drain the water completely. Remove the water bed mattress, liner and heater. The frame pieces at the head and foot of the bed are 72 inches long, and the frame sides are 84 inches in length.

• 2

  Locate the screws that hold the frame pieces together. Back them out with a screwdriver far enough to lift the frame bracket over the screw heads. Remove the screws from the "L" brackets holding the frame pieces to the 1/2-inch substrate and set the frame pieces aside.

• 3

  Separate the 72-inch pieces from the 84-inch pieces. Remove the mounting bracket from one end of the 72-inch pieces with a screwdriver. Measure from the end with the bracket on it and make a mark at 60 inches.

• 4

  Place the framing square on the marks and draw a line across the frame pieces. Cut the line with a circular saw. Install the mounting bracket on the cut end of the frame pieces. Be certain to position them on the frame piece as they were before you removed them.

• 5

  Take the platform apart and cut the pieces that are at the head and foot of the bed 6 inches shorter than they are. Put the platform back together. Cut 6 inches lengthwise from one of the center 1/2-inch substrate pieces with the circular saw and lay it back on the platform with the others.

• 6

  Assemble the frame pieces to one another and to the substrate. Set the water heater in the same position as before and cover it with the queen-size liner. Roll out the mattress inside the frame and fill it with water.