Lee Gibbens writes:

I need to find a catalog order source for replacement European bed bolts.

I refer to the way the bed rails are attached to the head or foot board.

I have attached pictures of what I am referring to. The first method I
need replacement parts for is the modern attachment means where a

flat bottom hole is drilled part way into the side of the rail. A half

circle flat piece of metal with a slot to let the bolt through is placed in

the hole.This acts as a washer for the bolt. The head of the bolt is

slotted so it can be tightened by a blade screwdriver or tool.

The second method is for older beds. A hole is drilled in the end of

the rail then recessed out above the hole so a long bolt can be inserted

that screws into the head or foot board. The head of the bolt is either

slotted of has hole drilled into it so it can be tightened using a tool.

Lee Gibbens
Valley Falls, Ks.

Lee Gibbens writes:

Thanks for the advice and bolt offers. I should have stated the bolts

were metric rather that just saying European. I am attaching a picture

of the brass insert from the antique set that uses the larger bolts. The

insert is one inch long and is threaded into the wood. The threads on

the inside of all four inserts have been messed up by cross threading

ect. I am having the threads cleaned up at a shop with metric taps as

I don't have any. I'm going to get two metric bolts round the heads

and try to cut slots into them using two hacksaw blades as "LOL"

Frank explained to me.

Going to try the same slot cutting method to make the smaller bolts.

I might need to have the heads built up as Rick indicated. I bought a

short length of 1" 16 gauge round tubing at Tractor Supply. (It was

the largest diameter piece they had) I cut 5/8" slices of the tube then

split them and reshaped it to fit the inside of the round hole to use as

the washers for the smaller bolts. Made the slot in it with a small

electric hand grinder. The small bolts are actually a little longer than

the diameter of the hole in the side of the rail. The bolt head has to

be small enough for the bolt to be inserted in backwards through the

end of the rail.

I thought I had some of the half circle table connectors that Don

mentioned (I hadn't thought of that approach) but after looking

through several drawers the only ones I found were the kind that

had a straight flat piece on each side made to be inserted in a slot.

Thanks again,
Lee Gibbens