How to make hinges for bunks?

[2thepointsetters]

I have two small bunks (78" x 30") that I need to mount on hinges that will fold up against the wall. The bunk will have a 3" foam mattress that will be between the bunk frame and the wall when it folds up. The bunk when its down will sit on top of a box/bench that will take the majority of the weight and there will be a fold down leg on each end for the rest of the weight. The bench will be far enough from the wall so there will be room for the bunk to fold up.

My problem is I cant figure out a way hinge to it. Any ideas would be great.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Either a piano hinge, or regular door hinges will work. I'll see if I can track down some close ups.

[Lucky Dogg]

You need to have a build out the same thickness as your bunk with the pad. Then it will fold up over the top and you can fasten it to the wall with a latch. Simple cabinetry question, please let me know if you need anymore help.

[2thepointsetters]

You need to have a build out the same thickness as your bunk with the pad. Then it will fold up over the top and you can fasten it to the wall with a latch. Simple cabinetry question, please let me know if you need anymore help.

I would like to find a hinge system that doesn't require the bunk to be 3 or 4 inches from the wall when its down. If I build out 3" inches on each side I will not have much room to walk in the middle. I dont mind the bench being 3 or 4 inches out from the wall.

[Nordern]

You can always make the back (wall side) of you bunk frame the same height as the mattress and use a piano hinge on the top of that frame. That keeps the bunk against the wall.

[Hardyboy]

Yeah what Nordern said......build the outer frame of the bunk so when you set in the mattress it is flush with the top of the frame. Then you can hinge it flat against the wall and it will fold up tight.

[2thepointsetters]

Awesome thanks guys. Actually my wife suggested that but it didnt make sense when I tried to picture it. (I already told her that she was right about the hinges)

[TruthWalleyes]

Anyone slightly wider or longer than the bunk will have a very uncomfortable night if the mattress is the same height as the frame. I'd picture it as trying to sleep on a cardboard box with pillows in it...

[Hawg]

Also, if you put your hinges on the top of the frame thats a lot of weight being held up by screws. Have the bunk fold down on to a 1 x 4 or something as a bottom support. Then you could get rid of that big box.

[RIPN LIPS]

I would use a piano hinge along the wall and use a 2x4 on end with deck hangers mounted to the wall for your front support. When its folded up the hangers can be used as rattle wheel holders / rod holders with a little modifing. and get rid of the big box that takes up alot of space.

[2thepointsetters]

Since the photo was taken I cut the boxes 8" lower. They are now 16" high x 32" inch long and 16 x wide. We are making cushions for them and they will be our seating and storage. They are actually very comfortable to sit on and the ice house is small so we need the storage area.( for ice house battery etc) They are not in the way and if there are 4 people in the house we can sit back to back and fish all four holes. The majority of the time there will be just me and the wife fishing out of the house.