Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Moddi Pictures!!!

I've received several emails and comments asking for pictures of a completed Moddi bed. I was going to build one myself and share the process with you, but after moving in to the new apartment, we discovered there was no room in the lounge.

Thankfully, Apt528 reader Stacy built a Moddi of her own and was kind enough to send in pictures. There were a few steps she had to modify, but other than that, it was a pretty easy process. Looking good!!







UPDATE Jan 2, 2013: Many of you have asked about modifications. Unfortunately, I've never built the bed (we don't currently have a need) so I don't personally know what the mods are. If you've built a Moddi and have pictures or modification suggestions, PLEASE email them to india @ apt528.com so we can feature them here as a way to help other DIYers.

By the way, if you're looking for an alternative Murphy bed design, check out our post on the Lori Wall Bed.

38 comments:

  1. You mention "some modifications"; that makes me nervous. Everywhere I've seen these described, people say the same thing, but no one says what they are. Can you tell me, please?!
    saacnmama@hotmail.com

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  2. I asked Stacy but at the time she didn't have her mods written out and it's one of those things where if you don't write it down right away, you'll never remember exactely what it is you changed! Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

    If anyone has completed a Moddi and has pics or modified directions, email me (india at apt528.com) and let me know. :)

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  3. Does it have legs or does it free float when you pull it down?

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  4. Thanks for the pictures. I'd love to know about the modifications too! are they minor or major?

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  5. I've been trying to get ahold of someone who's actually made the Moddi but haven't been able to. As soon as I find out more info I'll post it. In the meantime, I'm working on finding other DIY murphy beds...

    And again, if you've made a moddi and have a list of possible modifications, please email them to india at apt528.com

    Thanks!

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  6. Absolutely love this. Just wanted to hear back from Stacey on the pros and cons of The Moddi DIY Murphy Bed.
    Better to hear about it from someone who actually has one as opposed to finding out the hard way,no thank you. Appreciate it. Thanks.

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  7. Is there a weight/support problem if the full size is mounted vertically?

    Has anyone built a queen Moddi? If so, what modifications did you have to make in terms of extra support in the up position. I suppose I could slide bed risers under when it's down.

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  8. ( I love this design it looks so cool & modern & just my style, Thanks!Hey Cyber Peeps! I found the site where they sell the plan's for this Moddi Murphy Bed for ($7.95)for any size bed like & the website is:
    http://bit.ly/9Bjwhl & they sell it for Full/Double Horizontal,Twin Horizontal & the good think is they use PayPal for payment & that sounds good to me. So I am about to order the plans for a twin for my small room. Hope this helped someone & Happy Holidays!

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  9. I have been working on building this bed from the plans provided. I am having trouble with the gas springs. When I called MSC-the company listed on the parts sheet to order the gas springs from-they said they have ran into this problem before. They say the parts list has the wrong item number listed for the gas springs. I cannot seem to get a response from anyone about the plans. Please help ASAP!

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  10. I sure hope that isn't the only door to that room, or that the door opens outward- the doorway seems to be completely blocked by the bed when down.

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  11. I think that's probably a closet, anyways r there any legs on this or r the springs the only thing holding the bed up??

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  12. Just starting up a blog for those who are looking for fixes for the Moddi Bed here: http://fixthemoddi.blogspot.com/

    Includes a link for instructions & links to other sites listing issues and fixes.

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  13. Hi Leslie. I'm so glad to hear someone's starting a blog for fixes and modifications. It's what people have been waiting for!

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    1. Followed the link, found the blog -- zero items in it, though, it's empty.

      So are we to suspect that those who have successfully built a Moddi bed have -- what -- been eaten by it? You get in, go to sleep, and ... hello? Anybody come back from one?

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    2. Ha, I'm wondering the same thing! Aside from Stacy's pictures, we've never had anyone send us modifications or tips. If you build one, PLEASE send details. We need them!

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  14. Based on some of the comments I've read on other blogs a person might want to substitute some of the wood they recommend with some stronger higher grade pine or hardwood. It would increase the cost of course, but it would be sturdier and less likely to break or separate. I am looking to build a cheap but decent wall bed for my apartment bedroom to free up space so this will not be an "occasional bed" for me - I will be sleeping in it every night of the year and putting it up and taking it down every night. It won't be just an occasional "guest bed". So I will probably upgrade to sturdier wood and bolts if I can afford it. I like the idea of using IKEA table tops as facing - I think that they have other colors besides the white birch if I remember correctly. I am thinking of getting more than one color and making a pattern - something interesting looking and not drab and boring. And of course I will have to buy the mattress - I may just get that from IKEA also - they have some relatively inexpensive memory-foam type mattresses - I hate old fashioned spring type ones - they are so retro and unhealthy for your back. I definitely will send for the plans - thanks for the pictures!!! Gives me a better idea of how it's put together and what it will look like. The Moddi website really needs to have more pics - yeah I know, they are probably afraid people will just look at the pics and use those. Not to worry I am not that smart carpentry wise - I will still buy the plans and patterns even with pics on the web site :-)

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    1. I definitely agree...I would go with higher quality woods if it's going to be your everyday bed. I actually found two new murphy beds that you can DIY. They might be a bit stronger. I'll post them soon!

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    2. I too am in the same position of trying to build a murphy bed on a budget but also would need to sleep it everynight, so it has to be sturdy. I've downloaded the moddi plans and it sees like a good idea. I'm not fond of the legs (they're sort of attached with elastic and a stopper), but it's a overall a good idea and the instructions see easy to follow. I'd appreciate any other DIY murphy bed you have to show off! Thanks

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    3. I'll post the other Murphy bed design on Friday. I think it's a tad sturdier for people who sleep on their beds on a daily basis. Stay tuned!

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    4. India, just wondering if you found the studier design? I'm soon divorced and having to move to a two bedroom with (3) kids. The kids will have the bedrooms and I think the Murphy Wall Bed would be a solution I could have in the living room for myself as a hide-away bedroom. Also are there any design modifications that would allow for a queen bed?

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    5. A murphy bed would be perfect! The new design I found is called the Lori Wall Bed. It doesn't need any mechanisms so it's not as complicated to build. It easily rocks into position and includes built-in shelving. Here's the link to the updated post: http://blog.apt528.com/2012/10/the-weekender-lori-wall-bed.html

      Good luck. Let me know if this works.

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  15. Hi, is possible the spanish instructions?

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    1. I'm not sure but if you email the folks at Moddi, they may be able to provide you with Spanish instructions or at least point you in the direction of someone who's already translated them. Good luck!

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  17. I really, REALLY want to make one of these and put it in the home office so I'll have even more extra space when guests sleep over--but I'm torn. Many of the reviews say it's boss, but just as many say it is difficult to assemble and is not performing well. Mostly it's the legs that give me the most apprehension. Murphy bed legs held on with a stopper and elastic band? I've built a lot of things over the years, and well, that just seems WRONG.

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    1. I've never built the Moddi myself, but after looking at the plans, I feel the same way about the legs! I recently found a new bed called the Lori Wall Bed. It doesn't use a mechanism and instead rocks into position. Here's the link if you want to check it out: http://blog.apt528.com/2012/10/the-weekender-lori-wall-bed.html

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  18. I built the above bed using the plans purchased. I substituted Pines for the mattress caddy instead of the the MDF. THIS DESIGN DOES NOT WORK
    The gas spring bracket that is mounted onto the mattress caddy is located right on the top edge, right on the end and as soon as you try to open the bed the force of trying to compress the gas spring splits the wood. I even welded an extension onto the bracket to get the screws down away from the edge and it still split the wood. The force that is required to compress these 200lbs springs is simply too much for the wood to take. I will redesign a mounting plate/angle so that the load is dispersed over a larger area and hopefully this will resolve the issue.

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    1. I can imagine you're right, dit you fix the problem then, and if so how ?

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  19. Where are the legs? if no legs then what is stopping it being ripped off the wall with that weight at that angle?

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    1. It has legs, you just can't see them in the picture. A commentor above described how they're held on and also questioned the leg design. If you're looking for an alternative, check out our post on the Lori Wall Bed which has no mechanisms and rests on a full base instead of legs. I haven't built either of them, but they both seem pretty good if you're looking for a DIY. http://blog.apt528.com/2012/10/the-weekender-lori-wall-bed.html

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  20. Hi, I was wondering if anyone has tried modifying the moddi bed to a vertical design. It would be interesting to see if it holds the momentum.

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  21. I have a queen matress. I need a queen wall bed. I love the look of this bed. Has anyone used a queen?

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  22. I made a Moddi bed a couple of years ago... The reason you're not getting much response (I'm guessing) is that anyone who's made one is still in therapy as a result. Took me over a year to build because everyone who helped me ended up freaking out and throwing in the towel out of frustration. This is NOT a one person job, so Stacy must work for the Moddi guys. I'm strong, handy and smart, but this is NOT an easy task. I hope to post something independent on the subject (one day) but it's still a sore spot with me, and my plan is to sell it and build another one NOT from Moddi... something less hillbilly... Sure it looks cool when it's folded, but when it's down, the plywood looks awful... I even went so far as to upholster the back, but the sides are still plywood. Yuck. Cost me much more than the estimate, the gas springs DO NOT work... Call the company that sells them - they will tell you this. The bed is VERY heavy and the design does NOT provide a sense of security for this super heavy bed (with those table tops attached) to be secure against a wall... the side wall brackets aren't solid enough IMO. I've never once had it raised because the gas springs are WRONG for this design, and the thing weighs about 200 lbs. with mattress, frame and table tops.

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    1. Ha, that's horrible! Maybe we should start a Moddi support group for the survivors. Other Moddi folks have voice frustration about the gas springs too. By now, you'd think they could have updated the instructions to make the bed lighter or come up with a better lifting mechanism. You should check out my post on the Lori Wall Bed here: http://apt528.co/VqrWPo. It's manual and made WITHOUT any annoying parts.

      Also, when you do post your experience, make sure to come back and send us a link so folks can check it out. Any advice (or warnings!) are appreciated.

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  23. Another "murphy-ish" guest bed is shown on Andrew and Crystal Odom's website TinyRevolution.us. They offer instructions for a queen-size cabinet-style bed they call a Built In Roll Out Bed using plywood, casters and piano hinges. When closed up, it only extends 16" from the wall. I bought the plans, just haven't made it yet. However, I plan to soon build it for our office/guest room.

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  24. I unfortunately bought a Moddi on Craigslist, excited because it fit the space I needed it for. It's TERRIBLE. My husband I I sleep on it nightly in our tiny space. It's SO heavy I can't fold it up on my own, and even with us both we feel like an accident is about to happen.No springs will work due to design errors so we drilled a hole in the side and push a bolt through to keep it closed. The front looks terrible as the fake IKEA table (which has card board as a center) is peeling off. It's a bad joke. Steer clear.

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