READING
NOOK
Take one outgrown
cot, reinforce the
frame, add shelving
and a new mattress
cover to upgrade it
to a snug retreat
n Safety equipment
(mask, gloves, ear
and eye protection)
n Tape measure and pencil
n Mitre saw
n Drill with 3mm bit
n 10mm countersinking bit
n Nail gun with 35mm and
50mm brad nails
n Cloth
n Sawhorses
n Drop sheet
n Paint sprayer
n Timber cot
n Five 1200mm lengths 90mm
x 18mm untreated pine•
1 Remove the front gate of the
cot with attached brackets.
Adjust the slatted base to the
highest position in the frame,
then measure between the
uprights to find the length of
the front rail and shelf slats, and
from the ground up to the base
for the back supports. Tip: The
front rail and slats for this cot are
1197mm, back supports 389mm.
n 1 80-grit abrasive paper
with sanding block
n Timber adhesive
n 6G x 40mm timber screws
n 6G x 30mm timber screws
n Timber filler
n Primer
n Interior acrylic paint (we
used Dulux Bland Bay)
3 On the outside of the front
uprights, mark 20mm and 70mm
up from the slatted base, then
predrill through the centre with
a 3mm bit and countersink with
a 10mm bit. Apply adhesive to
the front rail edges, position
and secure with 40mm screws.
Secure through the rail into
the base using a nail gun with
35mm brad nails.
DIY TOOLKIT
2
1
2 From 90mm x 18mm pine,
use a mitre saw to cut a front
rail, three slats and two back
supports. Smooth with 180-grit
abrasive paper to remove
breakout from the cuts and
round over the edges slightly.
4
3
5
6
1 Hume Pine ‘Pinetrim’ 90mm x 18mm x 1200mm untreated D4S dressing grade pine, $8.01, I/N: 0294005•. 2 Dulux ‘1StepPrep’ primer, sealer and
undercoat, $52.97/1L, I/N: 1370232. 3 Dulux Wash&Wear low sheen interior paint in Vivid White, $87.83/2L, I/N: 1370157. 4 Zenith 6G x 40mm zinc plated
long thread timber screws, $11.87/pack of 100, I/N: 2434142. 5 Flexi Storage Home Solutions 3 runner mesh basket in White, $49, I/N: 2590166. 6 Wagner
‘W100’ wood and metal paint sprayer, $125, I/N: 0055604. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Steps photography Sam van Kan. Project editing Natasha Dickins. Paint colours may vary
on application. •Timbers vary by region; contact your local store for further information.
Adding a timber shelf
reinforces the structure and
creates space for storage
Tools & materials
