How to Build a Twin Bed Frame From an Old Headboard

Measure the pieces of wood used in the construction of the headboard. Measure the length and width of the headboard to identify solid pieces of wood that are at least 39 inches in length. These pieces will serve as the top and bottom of the twin bed frame.

Disassemble the headboard. Use a screwdriver to remove wood screws and a claw tooth hammer to pry out nails. Use the hammer to pry apart pieces of wood that are joined with wood glue.

Lay the longest pieces of wood across two sawhorses. Measure them to 39-inch lengths and cut them to size with a circular saw. Cut four legs for the twin bed frame from headboard wood that is at least 2-by-2 inches in size. Cut the legs' length to the height that you want the bed to rest above the floor, typically around 8 inches.

Set two pieces of 2-by-6 lumber across the sawhorses to form the sides of the twin bed frame and cut them to 75 inches in length, minus the thickness of the headboard pieces that you cut to form the top and bottom elements of the frame. For example, if the two pieces of wood taken from the headboard each measure 3 inches in thickness, the sides of the frame will only need to be 69 inches in length.

Lay the 2-by-6 lumber, along with the 39-inch lengths taken from the old headboard, together on the floor to form a 39-by-75-inch rectangle.

Drill through the top and bottom pieces of the frame and into the ends of the sides of the frame with an electric drill equipped with an 1/8-inch bit. Insert 4-inch lag bolts into the holes and tighten them with a socket and driver.

Place the four legs inside each of the corners of the upside-down bed frame. Drill through the sides of the frame and into the legs. Insert 4-inch lag bolts to hold the legs in place.

Set a plywood sheet onto the sawhorses and cut it to 75-by-39-inches with the circular saw.

Flip over the bed frame and place the plywood sheet on top. Drill down through the plywood and into the frame at each of the four corners. Insert four 4-inch lag bolts to attach the plywood platform to the frame.