How to Build a Murphy Bed: Materials, Cuts, and Fit

How to build a Murphy bed: summary of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cfQKe3bZ9g

To build a Murphy bed successfully, prepare the materials, follow the bed kit’s manual and cut list, and finish accurate cuts before you begin assembly. That practical order is the central lesson in Would Wood Work’s shop walkthrough. The project pairs a Murphy bed with a bookshelf, and the door shown was custom-made for the client rather than supplied as a standard kit component.

The video description presents the project as a start-to-finish build. The available transcript, however, focuses on plywood preparation, cutting techniques, bookshelf joinery, and assembly of the bookshelf base; it doesn’t provide the complete procedure for assembling the bed frame. Treat the walkthrough as useful guidance for those early operations, not as a replacement for the instructions supplied with your specific kit.

Before you build a Murphy bed, separate the work into two plans: the kit’s instructions and cut list for the bed, and the creator’s separately offered plans for the bookshelf. Then organize the material and mark each component against the relevant plan. That preparation makes it easier to catch a missing cut before parts are joined together.

If you plan to build a Murphy bed with a bookshelf like the one shown, use the video as a reference for shop methods while relying on the kit manual for bed-specific construction. Watch the original Would Wood Work video for the visual demonstrations. The transcript provides no timestamps, so the timestamp list below is left empty rather than assigning unverified times.

TL;DR: key takeaways before you start

To build a Murphy bed efficiently, start with the instructions and cut list that come with the bed kit. If you also want the bookshelf shown in the video, obtain its separate plans from the creator; the transcript says those plans are offered to support the channel. Keep the two sets of guidance distinct so you don’t mistake the bookshelf design for the bed kit’s instructions.

According to Would Wood Work, large plywood sheets are easier to handle when you cut parts slightly oversized first and trim them to final dimensions later. A full four-by-eight sheet can shift during handling, especially when two people are managing it. The creator checks off each piece as it’s cut, a simple way to catch omissions before assembly starts.

• Use the right plans: follow the kit manual and cut list for the bed; use separate bookshelf plans for that design.
• Cut in stages: rough-cut oversized sheets into manageable pieces, then verify and trim them to final size.
• Protect the finish: use the creator’s shallow scoring pass when a clean exposed plywood edge matters.
• Reset shelf-pin alignment: mark 12-inch increments and reposition the hand jig at those marks.
• Plan the attachment: the creator says the bookshelf base will be screwed into wall studs.

When you build a Murphy bed, use these points as preparation, not as a substitute for kit-specific safety or assembly directions. And if you build a Murphy bed alongside cabinetry, keep its separate parts and cut lists clearly identified.

Materials, plans, and tools for a Murphy bed build

The creator identifies three-quarter-inch plywood for the main construction and quarter-inch plywood for the bookshelf back panels. The approximate material use was two sheets for the bookshelf and about three for the Murphy bed, along with crown molding. These are the creator’s estimates for this particular project, not a universal shopping list: your kit, dimensions, and chosen design determine what you need.

There are two sources of project guidance. The transcript says the Rockler Murphy bed kit includes an instruction manual and cut list. The bookshelf plans are separate and offered by Would Wood Work. Before buying or cutting material, compare the kit’s list with the bookshelf plan and identify which parts belong to each build. Don’t assume the custom door shown in the video is included in the kit: the creator made it for the client and offers to share its specifications on request.

Tools and accessories discussed or shown include a track saw for breaking down plywood, a table saw for final sizing and dados, a planer for bringing the stopper block to thickness, and a Kreg pocket-hole jig for joinery. The creator also demonstrates a MagSwitch featherboard, a measuring caliper, and a fractional tape measure. The fractional markings help read sixteenth-inch measurements, while the featherboard holds stock against the table-saw fence.

To build a Murphy bed, make a materials checklist from the manual before you start. For this project, the stated estimates—two plywood sheets for the bookshelf, about three for the bed, and crown molding—give you a useful reference point, but verify quantities against your own plans. If you build a Murphy bed with the bookshelf, include the quarter-inch back panels in the bookshelf material plan. Keep the bed kit’s instructions close at hand as you build a Murphy bed; they govern the bed-frame work the transcript doesn’t detail.

Build a Murphy bed with accurate, manageable cuts

Would Wood Work’s cutting method is straightforward: cut parts slightly oversized, reduce them to a manageable size, and then trim each one to its final measurement. The creator gives the example of needing a 17-inch part: cut it at inches first, then make a second pass to reach the required dimension. That leaves room to handle the sheet more easily before committing to the final edge.

The reason for the extra stage is control. The creator explains that a four-by-eight sheet can shift while two people move or feed it, producing small discrepancies. Rough-cutting first reduces the size of the workpiece; the final pass can then be made with the piece in a more manageable state. Use a support surface appropriate to your saw setup, and follow the tool manufacturer’s instructions for safe handling.

1. Consult the cut list. Confirm the required dimensions and quantity for every component.
2. Label each part. Mark its name and intended final size so similar pieces don’t get mixed up.
3. Rough-cut oversized. Leave a small allowance, as in the creator’s 17-inch-to-18-inch example.
4. Verify the piece. Check the part against the plan before trimming, and confirm which edge is the reference edge.
5. Make the final cut. Trim to the listed measurement, then check off the component.

That final check matters. The creator warns that discovering a missing part after assembly begins means doubling back to cut it. When you build a Murphy bed, marking off cuts helps keep the kit cut list and bookshelf parts organized. Use the same deliberate sequence when you build a Murphy bed and when you size the surrounding cabinetry; it reduces avoidable rework. If you build a Murphy bed from a kit, always treat its dimensions as authoritative rather than substituting the example measurements from the video.

Prevent plywood tear-out and protect the work surface

The creator places insulation foam board beneath plywood while cutting. It acts as a sacrificial support layer, helping protect a table or floor if the saw blade passes through the sheet. Would Wood Work says the board is used on the ground or on a table for this purpose. Position the work so the sheet is supported, and ensure the foam board is suitable for your cutting setup.

Plywood can splinter, particularly on the underside, when a blade with fewer teeth leaves a rough edge. That defect matters most where the plywood will remain visible. The creator distinguishes a painted finish, which can cover roughness more readily, from a stain-grade or otherwise exposed finish, where the edge and veneer quality remain apparent.

For an exposed edge, the video recommends a two-pass approach on the table saw:

1. Make a shallow scoring pass. Raise the blade only slightly—described in the video as about two sixteenths of an inch—and cut the underside veneer.
2. Set the full cutting depth. Raise the blade to the depth needed for the material, such as three-quarter inch or seven-eighths inch as appropriate to the cut.
3. Complete the cut. Make the full-depth pass to separate the part.

The idea is to sever surface fibers before the full cut, helping limit fraying on the underside. Follow your saw’s operating instructions and use a blade and setup suited to the material; the transcript doesn’t specify a particular blade model. If you build a Murphy bed with painted parts, decide which edges will be visible before spending time on extra finishing. If you build a Murphy bed with exposed plywood, test the technique on scrap first. In either case, this preparation can improve the result as you build a Murphy bed and its bookshelf.

Keep bookshelf joinery and shelf-pin holes aligned

For shelf-pin holes, Would Wood Work marks the board at 12-inch increments and resets the hand jig at each mark. The creator’s concern is gradual drift: as a hand jig is moved along a board, small positioning errors can accumulate. If you then flip the board and drill the opposite side without resetting from reliable marks, corresponding holes may not line up. The video describes the possible mismatch as a quarter inch—enough to make shelf placement awkward.

Use the method as a repeatable alignment routine: establish the starting reference, mark each 12-inch interval, position the jig at a mark, drill the holes in that section, and reset it at the next mark. When working on the opposite face, register from the same reference points rather than relying on accumulated jig movement. Check the layout before drilling a long series of holes.

The video also shows a dado cut for the bookshelf. The creator makes two passes on each piece to reach a stated three-sixteenths-inch width and depth. Because cut settings depend on the blade and setup, make a test cut in scrap and confirm the fit before processing all the parts. A MagSwitch featherboard presses the workpiece against the fence on the cast-iron table, helping guide it during table-saw work; it functions as what the creator calls a second set of hands, but it doesn’t replace safe operator control.

For pocket holes, the Kreg jig tip is to begin drilling in reverse, scoring the veneer fibers, then drill forward. The creator says going forward first can split the fibers and leave a messy edge. As you build a Murphy bed and bookshelf, test this approach on offcuts. Resetting the shelf-pin jig helps keep the cabinetry consistent while you build a Murphy bed; careful setup also reduces corrections as you build a Murphy bed project with multiple matching parts.

Assemble the bookshelf base with glue and pocket holes

The bookshelf base assembly combines wood glue, a reveal, temporary brad nails, clamps, and pocket-hole screws. The creator first applies glue, positions the base with a small offset from the edge, and uses brad nails to hold it in place. Clamping helps keep the parts seated while screws are driven. This sequence addresses a practical problem the video identifies: pocket-hole screws can shift the pieces as they’re tightened.

Would Wood Work recommends about a quarter-inch reveal for the base, or a three-quarter-inch reveal on a larger product. A reveal is the visible setback between adjoining edges. Choose the intended offset before fastening, and check that it remains consistent along the part. The creator brad-nails the underside, clamps the assembly, and then drives the screws through the pocket holes. The nails act as temporary positioning aids while the glue and screws form the joint.

The video notes that the pocket holes on the exterior sides are placed where they won’t be visible. Pocket holes are also added to the bookshelf sides so those parts can be screwed into the base. The creator says the base will be screwed into wall studs. That is a project-specific plan, not a substitute for checking your wall, fasteners, kit requirements, or installation instructions. Confirm the attachment method for your own build before loading the unit.

To repeat the process, dry-position the parts, mark the reveal, apply glue, align the base, and use brad nails to limit movement. Clamp the assembly, drive the pocket-hole screws, and clean up squeeze-out as shown. When you build a Murphy bed with a bookshelf, keep the bed and cabinet instructions separate. This base method is for the bookshelf; it doesn’t describe how to assemble or anchor the bed mechanism. Use it only where it matches your plan as you build a Murphy bed project. Check the reveal again before fastening each section, and keep that alignment in mind as you build a Murphy bed installation.

Murphy bed design details: stopper block and custom elements

The stopper block shown in the video has a specific job: it attaches at the top of the Murphy bed and prevents the bed from collapsing into the frame when it is closed. The creator cuts the block from material available in the shop, then planes it to the required thickness before attaching it. This illustrates how a small fitted component can serve a functional role, but the transcript doesn’t give its final dimensions or a complete installation specification.

Don’t treat the block’s example as a universal design. The correct size and position depend on the bed kit and the frame it is used with. Follow the kit manual for these details, and confirm that any added stopper is compatible with the supplied mechanism. The transcript provides no full sequence for constructing or installing the Murphy bed frame, so it cannot stand in for the kit’s instructions.

The door in the project is another custom element. Would Wood Work says it was made for the client and offers to provide its specifications if asked. It isn’t described as a standard Rockler kit component. If you want a similar door, the video suggests contacting the creator for details rather than assuming that the kit includes it or that its dimensions will suit another project.

For your own build, use the kit manual for the bed frame, mechanism, and kit-specific parts; use the separate creator plans for the bookshelf if you’re following that design. When you build a Murphy bed, don’t infer unshown structural details from a brief shop demonstration. Treat the stopper block as a project detail to verify against your instructions. If you build a Murphy bed with a custom door, confirm its specifications separately. That division of guidance helps you build a Murphy bed without confusing a client-specific feature with a kit requirement.

Conclusion: prepare the cuts, then follow the kit

The most useful lesson from Would Wood Work’s walkthrough is to make the project manageable before assembly begins. Organize the plywood and plans, rough-cut large sheets, trim parts accurately, and check off each component. For the bookshelf, the video adds practical methods for limiting tear-out, keeping shelf-pin holes aligned, and holding a glued base steady while pocket-hole screws are installed.

Before starting, take these next steps:

1. Read the Murphy bed kit manual and identify its cut-list parts.
2. Get the separate bookshelf plans if you’re reproducing the creator’s design.
3. Confirm material quantities and mark each piece before cutting.
4. Test cut settings and joinery on offcuts, especially where plywood will remain exposed.
5. Plan the bookshelf’s wall-stud attachment and follow the kit instructions for all bed-frame work.

The transcript doesn’t provide the complete Murphy bed assembly procedure or verified timestamps, so consult the original Would Wood Work video for its demonstrations and the kit manual for the full bed-specific process. A careful cut list and clear separation between kit guidance and custom bookshelf details will make the next steps easier to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials does this Murphy bed project use?

The creator identifies three-quarter-inch plywood for the main construction and quarter-inch plywood for bookshelf back panels. The approximate use was two sheets for the bookshelf and about three for the Murphy bed, along with crown molding; verify quantities against your own plans.

Does a Murphy bed kit include a cut list?

The creator says the Rockler kit includes an instruction manual and cut list. The bookshelf plans are offered separately by Would Wood Work.

How can you reduce plywood splintering?

For exposed plywood, the creator recommends a shallow scoring pass followed by a full-depth cut. Painted edges can conceal roughness more readily than stain-grade or exposed edges, which need cleaner cutting.

How do you keep shelf-pin holes aligned?

Mark 12-inch increments along the board and reset the hand jig at each mark. Use consistent reference points when drilling the opposite side to reduce the risk of the holes drifting out of alignment.

Why use pocket holes and glue on the bookshelf base?

The creator combines glue and pocket-hole screws with brad nails and clamps. The nails and clamps help hold the parts in position while the screws are driven, reducing shifting during assembly.

Is the custom door included with the Murphy bed kit?

No. The creator says the door was made for the client and offers to share its specifications on request. The video does not present it as a standard kit component.