Bed Rail Fasteners

Bed Frame Hardware

Bed Rail Fasteners provide a strong rigid connection between wood side rails and head / footboards.  Often seen on antique and vintage beds, these vintage style fasteners were made from the late 1800's forward. Many types have been made over the years and sizes do vary. 

Bed Rail Fasteners Post Plate Height: 5-3/8" Post Plate Width: 1-1/8" Rail Plate Height: 3" Screws not-included as wood thickness determines length. smaller 4-7/8" Fastener

Measurements can vary slightly due to casting methods.

These bed rail fasteners are sturdy cast iron. This material and construction is ideal for bed as it ensures long lasting strength and durability. The iron is left natural, as were the originals, no finish is applied.

Install Fasteners on Wood Bed Frame

Before starting: Test fit male and female connection pieces together. If necessary small adjustments can be made with minor filing. 

When installing: mortise oval post pieces into headboard and footboard posts of wood beds. Rail connector are surfaced mounted to the wooden side rails. 

Male Hook Connector Rail Plate

• Determine placement of rail connector
• Center rail connector vertically.
• Drill out for support buttons on back of rail connector. Button drill size: 7/16". Buttons must tightly engage wood as they relieve some of shear loading on screws.
• Mount Male connector to the inside of the bed rails
• Screw size should be the largest diameter which will fit the holes.
• Length of screw should be almost the thickness of the bed rails.
• By fitting and screwing these rail fasteners directly against the bed rail the male plate is stabilized and movement is minimized.

Female Connection Post Plate

• After installing male connectors on bed rails, engage bed rail connector into post connector to determine best position for rail in relation to post.
• Bed rail is typically set slightly inside the outer face of bed post as the end of the male hook plate is not directly centered on the end of the bed rail.
• Common height for modern beds is approximately 8" from floor to bottom of box spring. Height is often higher for older beds.
• Trace outline of female connector to mark position. Be sure it is straight.
• Mortise-out traced area to approximately 9/16" depth.
• Position post plate and screw into position.
• Once installed Female connector should be flush with bed post.